Three view of Moab, UT

GUNNISON, CO -- After 3 days in Moab, UT we're on the road to Colorado Springs or somewhere around there.  Moab was a fascinating place with THREE 'must do' options which each can fill a day. (Top)  The Bend as shot from Dead Horse State Park.  The Colorado River meanders around nearly everywhere it goes.  This location to see the river is famous.  Look closely and you can see a trail on the mesa above the brown waters.

     In Arches NP the hike up to see Delicate Arch close-up seemed a bit more than I wanted to take on: stamina-wise it would be long and slow; balance and agility-wise I decided to play it safe.  The second observation  point in Arches NP was much more my style, but the photos were distant.

     Canyonlands NP is a huge conglomeration of geologic wonders.  It's either deep, strange looking canyons or walls and towers of red rock which look like they were built in a giant's sand box.
 

Our annual stroll around Goldfield

 GOLDFIELD, NV - - Goldfield is always a neat place to wander around.  Friendly neighbors are one of the first things which come to mind. Some folks like to warn the unwary.

     Other folks have fancy 'yard art' while others just let the derelict cars pile up.  Need a pet??  A lot of the wild burros wandering around get penned up and held while looking for home.

     One Goldfield resident (with a sense of humor) has the license plate I'd like.  Grumpy is as Grumpy does.  We learn something on every visit.  This time it was about railroad times here.  The Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad played a part if the high times when silver and gold ruled the area back at the beginning of the 19th century.  Later, in down-sized fashion the railway continued working (for the Nevada Copper Belt Railroad and then as storage units) until 1947.  NOTE:  the double train pics are a sign of tapping the 'print' function too quickly.

On the road views

A cloudy viewpoint from the passenger seat

And now some sun as the road rolls on

GOLDFIELD, NV - - We've left the Pacific coast wandering Eastward...and there's not a wave or sea lion to be seen.  In fact, except for a few tumbleweeds the scenery looks pretty much the same yet the two photos were taken on different days.  It's been 'set the cruise control and do not fall asleep.'
 

On a foggy morning...

Cape Foulweather, now called Yaquina Head, and the nearly 150 year old lighthouse

In the center sea lions and squaking birds adorn the rocks

Rock stacks and guano...not white colored rocks

 

What to do on a quiet morning

Coffee and some quiet 'pickin'

 FLORENCE, OR - - On the deck at River Roasters Coffee this older gentleman was playing his guitar softly while drinking his coffee and thinking about...  A quiet morning on the Siuslaw River with dark clouds hovering.

The view

Heceta Head lighthouse
 

Seal Rock Cove - - early morning

 SEAL ROCK COVE, OR - - There's a trail from the campground to the beach.  No seals, but plenty of tidal pools; sea snail covered rocks and green algae.  Also drift wood and nesting gulls on the higher rocks. We'll have to wait until we get further south in Oregon to see the 'sea stacks'; the tall rock formations which look like miniature mountains.

Most of the fishing / crabbing fleet is idle in Newport

Amateur driftwood artists at work

Cheaper by the pound...

The California sea lion chorus and fans

 NEWPORT, OR - - We've been moving around a bit and have finally landed (for 3 nights) in a RV campground near Seal Rock Cove.  (more info in the next blog.)  For now, we'll concentrate on one of our favorite pass times...checking in on the California sea lion blubber-fest in Newport.  These guys and gals have a special area where they hang out...despite Newport's best efforts to get them to go somewhere - anywhere - else. 

     The locomotive below is a reminder of days past and the booming lumber trade in Garibaldi, WA while the ocean view could include the lighthouse I was standing near if I turned just a bit.

This workhorse hauled lumber over 100 years ago

Early morning surf and haze at Yaquina Head

The mighty Columbia

CASCADE LOCKS,  OR - - We've escaped  two weeks in Mt. Ranier NP and have wandered over some very twisty Cascade Mtns. roads towards the Oregon coast.  Our first stop, or the first town of any size was Stevenson, WA.  Before crossing the Columbia River, we walked along a riverfront area crowded with mainly kite boarders.  The winds in the Columbia Gorge are perfect for plenty of action.  And then there was the paddle wheeler all set to recreate the bygone days.  Unfortunately it wasn't going anyplace but serving as a luncheon host for two bus loads of retirees.

    

     An   AMTRAK commuter train also zipped thru Stevenson while we were there. However the bigger surprise on steel rails awaited us when we crossed a bridge over into Oregon and the Cascade Locks KOA campground.  Aside from having electricity / wi-fi / and cell service plus hot water and showers, the main rail line runs right past the campground.  No doubt some recent campers were surprised, at how close but   we love it.  Although I'll wait until way past midnight to see if there's a 2:30am freight.

 

One person's trash is another person's treasure

Real trash pickers bring their own haulage

One of the better looking displays of 'junk'

We checked it out a day early

 PACKWOOD, WA - - What could better than a nice garage sale and a cold beer???  About two miles worth of tents / trash displays and a couple of drinking emporiums.  Wandering around a day early some set ups were ready to sell what ever you needed although it was a bit hard to discern the trash sales person from the trash.  Actually, it was good for people watching although a vast percentage of the folks looked like they were from the same extended family.  In case you might have missed the Labor Day Weekend Garage Sale and Beerfest, Packwood also does this on the Fourth of July.  Fortunately we've now been forewarned before next year's travels.

The joys of camping

 PACKWOOD, WA - - Ah, the joys of camping:  Fresh air, solitude; lots of space.  Well, maybe not.   Ohanapecosh  NP campground is neat, but the fresh air, quiet and lots of space might be missing.  The above shot, taken from our site looks down on a "real camper family."  Just roll out the Airstream Trailer with solar panels on top and (look close) 2, yes 2 generators for the AC and other electrical goodies to make your camping experience just like staying home.   The toughest part for these folks was parking.

Ohanapecosh is a native American term deemed to mean 'standing at the edge' or 'clear water' in reference to the O... river which runs thru / alongside the campground / park.  

This Labor Day Weekend the folks of Packwood get to endure a huge "Garage Sale and Beer Festival.'  Since there is only one main road, anyone traveling to / thru town needs plenty of patience.