Enter Colorado, Coos Bay and we climb big sandhills...

29 May 07 Tuesday

(9,600 acres makes the Del Norte Coast Redwood State Park)

This morning was a bit unusual trying to hop over the huge banana slugs that slithered along the forest floor along with black 2-inch long caterpillars. I found myself scrutinizing the ground, careful that I didn't step on them- and grabbing Kai out of their harms way. At one time, there were 3 slugs hanging around the water pump where I tried to wash dishes. UGH! Just the thought of stepping on it makes me cringe!

This state park, at least the Mill Creek Canyon where this campground is located, was logged in the 1920's and 1930's. One could see proof of heavy logging as the huge redwoods were gone, leaving only their flaired buttes (stumps). In the surrounding areas a second growth of redwoods were apparent.

After a nice long morning stroll through the campground, with my occasional "Watch out!" or "EW- a banana slug!" we sorta had a relaxing walk. We left for Oregon and were quite surprised by the fog that had appeared on the coast, considering we had a sunny morning camping inland.

A ship now acting as a gift shop and museum off Hwy 101.

We pulled off on the highway's shoulder and ate burgers overlooking the Oregon coast. The water appeared gray, but the ocean sounds and fresh air worked it's therapy on us.

Having passed about eight state parks and several logging trucks, we stopped for gas in Coos Bay, known as Oregon's Bay Area and the largest population center on the coast. We were not used to having a fuel attendant service us without us getting out of the van- Oregon law, I believe.

At the Coos Bay Boardwalk, we walked by several docked tug boats. We happened to look into the water and saw hundreds of small circular creatures, no bigger than a dime, swimming in a frenzy off the dock. A boat resident told us it was dungeness crab and that when they get heavier they fall to the bay's floor and crawl about then.

Later we gave our friend Joel a call. We joked that he stood us up, and that we were supposed to meet in this town- so where was he? It happened Joel and his family had left 2-hours earlier for home in the SF Bay, having attended a family function here in Coos Bay over the weekend.

Mill pouring woodchips into a big heap.

Rhododendrons usually found at the base of a redwood here in Oregon. Beautiful flowers seen many a time in photographs and art shows.

We camped at the Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park off Hwy 101 and along the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. We thought we would be camping on the coast but were deceived by our inept map. One would have to walk a few miles over sand dunes just to touch the water, and in our case, we walked a few hundred feet just to get a glimpse of the ocean.

View of the sand dunes from the campgrounds. I get ambitious as I want to climb that huge hill past the trees. Greg thinks I'm nuts but he ventures it with me anyway.

It was my idea, so I carry Kai in a backpack as I tackle this steep sandhill. What was I thinking?

Catching my breath.

Kai checks this sandhill out.

Oooh- a glimpse of the ocean!

Despite my sweating, Kai insists on having a 'booby' break. I look like an indian craddling my papoose!

Shadow-posers.

Greg waving from that same hill which we had just climbed. I took this picture from where we originally started. Kai had dumped Greg's flip-flops from the backpack and Greg had to rush back up the steep hill to retrieve them.

After a moment of pretend driving, Greg tries to make Kai sleep...but look whose lights are out? (Kai's bed was made in the storage section of the van).