Welcome to Part Four of the travelogue from our RV trip to northern California and coastal Oregon in the fall of 2017.
Thursday, Sept 28, 2017 (Oregon) Cannon Beach to Hammond (Fort Stevens State Park)
Our next destination today was the town of Astoria. We parked the coach in the Safeway parking lot, did a little grocery shopping, and had lunch before heading out on our bikes to do a little riding on the Astoria Riverwalk, which runs for 18 miles along the Columbia River. We could hear the cacophony of a colony of sea lions from where we parked, so we decided to head in their direction first, before riding west as planned. The ‘colony chorus’ was coming from the East Mooring Basin, where a dock had been taken-over by sea lions. They completely covered the dock surrounding every slip, and were barking up a storm. While it was a real hoot for us as onlookers, it’s actually a problem for the fishermen who want to use this dock. The marina continues to try various tactics to discourage the sea lions from this location, including stringing up beach balls between the pilings, as well as building railings and hanging colorful flags all along them! A variety of solutions employed have worked for a while, but none permanently. Actually, because these creatures are protected by federal law, and their population is burgeoning, the problems are bigger than just this basin and this is a hot topic. Without knowing any of this in advance, we really did enjoy this little detour at the start of our ride.
Map of Part 4 route
We could hear the cacophony of a colony of sea lions from where we parked, so we decided to head in their direction first, before riding west
as planned. The ‘colony chorus’ was coming from the East Mooring Basin, where a
dock had been taken-over by sea lions. They completely covered the dock
surrounding every slip, and were barking up a storm. While it was a real hoot
for us as onlookers, it’s actually a problem for the fishermen who want to use
this dock. The marina continues to try various tactics to discourage the sea
lions from this location, including stringing up beach balls between the
pilings, as well as building railings and hanging colorful flags all along them!
A variety of solutions employed have worked for a while, but none permanently.
Actually, because these creatures are protected by federal law, and their population is burgeoning, the problems are bigger than just this basin and this
is a hot topic. Without knowing any of this in advance, we really did enjoy this little detour at the start of our ride.
Detouring off the Riverwalk to get closer to the barking seals
The Astoria Riverwalk runs 18 miles along the Columbia River
Thursday, Sept 28, 2017 (Oregon)Cannon Beach to Hammond (Fort Stevens State Park)
Our next destination today was the town of Astoria.
We parked the coach in the Safeway parking lot, did a little grocery shopping
and had lunch before heading out on our bikes to do a little riding on the Astoria
Riverwalk, which runs for 18 miles along the Columbia River.
The waterfront was interesting with a few abandoned buildings on pilings and many ‘graveyards’ of decaying pilings where there used to be buildings or docks. We saw several ships heading up the Columbia River being escorted in by Harbor Pilots, due to the treacherous Columbia Bar. Signs at various points along the Riverwalk identified different types of ships that use the port, their likely cargo, and the flags flown by their owners. It was a fun ride, and educational! And we rode past a trolley, powered by a generator it towed, that runs all along the waterfront, providing transportation from one end to the other, or just a fun ‘touristy’ ride. With the Columbia River Gorge no longer on our itinerary (because of the cleanup efforts related to the fires), after our bike ride, we made the short trip to our chosen camp for the night, Fort Stevens State Park.
The waterfront was interesting with a few abandoned buildings on pilings and many ‘graveyards’ of decaying pilings where there used to be buildings or docks. We saw several ships heading up the Columbia River being escorted
in by Harbor Pilots, due to the treacherous Columbia Bar. Signs at various points along the Riverwalk
identified different types of ships that use the port, their likely cargo, and
the flags flown by their owners. It was a fun ride, and educational! And we rode past a trolley, powered by a generator it towed, that runs all along the
waterfront, providing transportation from one end to the other, or just a fun ‘touristy’ ride.
Our campsite #49 at the Fort Stevens State Park campground
Checking-in at the campground
With the Columbia River Gorge no longer on our itinerary (because
of the cleanup efforts related to the fires), after our bike ride, we made the short trip to our chosen camp for the night, Fort
Stevens State Park.
Waterfront homes in Astoria
Huge propeller at the Columbia River Maritime Museum
The Astoria Column
Lots of freighter traffic on the Coumbia River.
We had planned to take a paddle-wheeler cruise along the Columbia River, but the cruises were canceled due to the fires burning in the Columbia River Gorge.
Friday, Sept 29, 2017 (Oregon) Fort Stevens State Park
I made a new batch of brownies after making camp, and then we took a walk to Coffenbury Lake in the day-use area. There were three short piers, each with a small platform, jutting out into the water near each of the three boat launches. The platforms had picnic tables on them and we sat at one and enjoyed the peaceful view while the other two platforms were used for fishing (the lake is stocked with trout in spring and early fall). We debated staying another night so that we could explore the fort, but we were both feeling like it was time to head toward home, knowing it would take about a week at our pace. But the fort has an interesting history and you can read about it online.
Friday, Sept 29, 2017 (Oregon)Fort Stevens State Park
I made a new batch of brownies after making camp, and then we took a walk to Coffenbury Lake in the day-use area. There were three short piers, each with a small platform, jutting out into the water near each of the three boat launches. The platforms had picnic tables on them and we sat at one and enjoyed the peaceful view while the other two platforms were used for fishing
(the lake is stocked with trout in spring and early fall). We debated staying another night so that we could explore the fort, but we were both feeling like
it was time to head toward home, knowing it would take about a week at our slow pace. But the fort has an interesting history and you can read about it here History of Fort Stevens.
We saw lots of blackberries around Oregon
Saturday, Sept 30, 2017 (Oregon) Hammond (Fort Stevens State Park) to Wheatland (Arcane Cellars, Harvest Host)
As we passed through Vernonia, a city with a rich history rooted in the timber industry, we saw dozens of old rail cars used for hauling timber as we drove along the train tracks. And passing through the small town of Gaston we got a kick out of the name of the small market there, “Pretty Good Grocery.” We took a bit of a detour today to stay at a Harvest Host winery, Arcane Cellars in Wheatland, where we camped at the edge of their vineyards. We enjoyed tasting their wines and walking around the vineyard grounds.
Saturday, Sept 30, 2017 (Oregon)Hammond (Fort Stevens State Park) to Wheatland (Arcane Cellars, Harvest Host)
As we passed through Vernonia, a city with a rich history rooted in the timber industry, we saw dozens of old rail cars used for hauling timber as we drove along the train tracks. And passing through the small town of Gaston we got a kick out of
the name of the small market there, “Pretty Good Grocery.”
View from dining room window
Our campsite next to the vineyards at Arcane Cellars
Sampling the apples and pears at the winery
Arcane Cellars is the only winery on the 187-mile Willamette River Water Trail
We took a bit of a detour today to stay at a Harvest Host winery, Arcane Cellars in Wheatland,
where we camped at the edge of their vineyards. We enjoyed tasting their wines and walking around the vineyard grounds.
Sunday, Oct 1, 2017 (Oregon) Arcane Cellars to Charles V. Stanton County Park
We had planned to take a ferry across the Willamette River, but when they saw the length of our coach, they said the ramp was so steep that we would get stuck halfway onto the ferry, so we had to take a long detour to get to the highway. We ended up stopping at the Charles V. Stanton County Park where we had a nice large tree-shaded campsite with no neighbors.
Sunday, Oct 1, 2017 (Oregon)Arcane Cellars to Charles V. Stanton County Park
We had planned to take a ferry across the Willamette River, but when they saw the
length of our coach, they said the ramp was so steep that we would get stuck
halfway onto the ferry, so we had to take a long detour to get to the highway.
We ended up stopping at the Charles V. Stanton County Park where we had a nice
large tree-shaded campsite with no neighbors.
Our campsite at Charles V. Stanton County Park
Charles V. Stanton County Park near Canyonville, OR
Monday, Oct 2, 2017 (Oregon/California) Charles V. Stanton County Park to Lake Siskiyou Camp
Today we crossed the border back into California, and got our first view of the majestic Mt Shasta, which already (or maybe still) had snow on it. We camped at Lake Siskiyou, and got a nice spot very close to the lake, as close as you can get without renting a cabin. We could see the lake through the trees, and with a short walk, a fabulous view of Mt. Shasta. It was very chilly when we arrived (mid-late afternoon) with the wind coming off the water, but with the weather forecast showing a warming trend, we decided that if the forecast held, we would stay a second night and ride the hike/bike trail that goes all the way around the lake.
Fall colors starting to appear
There's squirrels out there!
View of Mt Shasta across Lake Siskiyou
Our campsite #350 at Lake Siskiyou Campground
We camped at Lake
Siskiyou, and got a nice spot very close to the lake, as close as you can
get without renting a cabin. We could see the lake through the trees, and with
a short walk, a fabulous view of Mt. Shasta. It was very chilly when we arrived
(mid-late afternoon) with the wind coming off the water, but with the weather
forecast showing a warming trend, we decided that if the forecast held, we
would stay a second night and ride the hike/bike trail that goes all the way
around the lake.
Our first glimpse of Mt Shasta
Monday, Oct 2, 2017 (Oregon/California)Charles V. Stanton County Park to Lake Siskiyou Camp
Today we crossed the border back into California, and got our first view of the majestic Mt Shasta,
which already (or maybe still) had snow on it.
Tuesday, Oct 3, 2017 (California) Lake Siskiyou Camp
The weather forecast looked good, so we booked another night. Chris got the bike trail map onto one of our phones and after lunch we took off on our bikes for the 7-mile ride around the lake. We knew the trail was semi-rough with a few stretches of pavement, but mostly hard-packed dirt, pine needles, and some gravel. We couldn’t have asked for a better day for riding. Clear blue skies, around 65 degrees, and very little breeze. Between stopping for many photo ops, sitting for a bit on a bridge with our feet dangling just inches from the water, and a bit of a stretch where we had to walk our bikes because of the deep gravel and dirt status of the trail, our trek lasted about two-and-a-half hours, but it was a fabulous ride! As it cooled off fairly quickly in the late afternoon, we decided to enjoy a campfire, and then moved inside for a cocktail and a round of Bananagrams.
Tuesday, Oct 3, 2017 (California)Lake Siskiyou Camp
The weather forecast looked good, so we booked another night. Chris got the bike trail map onto one of our phones and after lunch we took off on our bikes for the 7-mile ride around the lake. We knew the trail was semi-rough with a few
stretches of pavement, but mostly hard-packed dirt, pine needles, and some
gravel.
We couldn’t have asked for a better day for riding. Clear blue skies, around 65 degrees, and very little breeze. Between stopping for
many photo ops, sitting for a bit on a bridge with our feet dangling just
inches from the water, and a bit of a stretch where we had to walk our bikes because of the deep gravel and dirt status of the trail, our trek lasted about
two-and-a-half hours, but it was a fabulous ride!
As it cooled off fairly
quickly in the late afternoon, we decided to enjoy a campfire, and then moved
inside for a cocktail and a round of Bananagrams.
Crossing the Sacramento River
Yet another view of Mt Shasta
A beautiful bridge just for us cyclists
Another view of Mt Shasta
Wednesday, Oct 4, 2017 (California) Lake Siskiyou Camp, CA to Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area, CA
Another beautiful day today, but we’re moving on, heading home. It was a really chilly morning (36 degrees at 7:00 AM) and when it’s really chilly outside, we generally keep the shades in the coach down to trap what heat we can, except for on the sunny side of the coach. I finally lifted the shade over the kitchen sink and peeked outside. At a glance I thought the lake looked crazy green, and I did a double-take. What I had seen was the green roof of a nearby cabin, but when I looked beyond it to the lake, what I saw was a smooth-as-glass surface, something Chris had been hoping for to capture some of those mirror-like photos of the scenery. So he hurried out there and got some great photos before we hit the road. Heading south from Lake Siskiyou we had a nice view of the aptly-named Castle Crags mountains, and then crossed lovely Shasta Lake. We stopped to camp at the Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area.
Wednesday, Oct 4, 2017 (California)Lake Siskiyou Camp to Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area
Another beautiful day today, but we’re moving on, heading home. It was a really chilly
morning (36 degrees at 7:00 AM) and when it’s really chilly outside, we
generally keep the shades in the coach down to trap what heat we can, except for on the sunny side of the coach. I finally lifted the shade over the kitchen sink and peeked outside. At a glance I thought the lake looked crazy green, and
I did a double-take. What I had seen was the green roof of a nearby cabin, but when I looked beyond it to the lake, what I saw was a smooth-as-glass surface,
something Chris had been hoping for to capture some of those mirror-like photos
of the scenery. So he hurried out there and got some great photos before we hit
the road.
Our campsite #11 at Colusa-Sacramento State Recreation Area near Colusa, CA
Heading south from Lake Siskiyou we had a nice view of the aptly-named
Castle Crags mountains, and then crossed lovely Shasta
Lake.
This trout was in 2 inches of water
Thursday, Oct 5, 2017 (California) Colusa (Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area) to San Jose (Coyote Valley RV Resort)
The Coyote Valley RV Resort was just a place to stop for the night. It was too warm to do anything outside, so after showering (very nice facilities), we just hung out in our air-conditioned coach, and played Sequence, one of our favorite board games.
Thursday, Oct 5, 2017 (California)Colusa (Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area) to San Jose (Coyote Valley RV Resort)
The Coyote Valley RV Resort
was just a place to stop for the night. It was too warm to do anything outside, so after showering (very nice facilities), we just hung out in our air-conditioned
coach, and played Sequence, one of
our favorite board games.
Our campsite at Coyote Valley RV Resort
Friday, Oct 6, 2017 (California) San Jose (Coyote Valley RV Resort) to Oceano (Pismo Sands Resort)
We were unable to get a spot at North Beach Campground, but they had a few sites available at the Pismo Sands RV Resort. Our site was the best one in the park, situated off by itself with no neighbors. It was quite hot, yes, even at the beach, so we cooled our heels in the air-conditioned coach one last time for this trip, and tomorrow afternoon we’ll be back home.
Friday, Oct 6, 2017 (California)San Jose (Coyote Valley RV Resort) to Oceano (Pismo Sands Resort)
We were unable to get a spot at North Beach Campground, but they had a few sites
available at the Pismo Sands RV Resort.
Our site #115 was the best one in the park, situated off by itself
with no neighbors. It was quite hot, yes, even at the beach, so we cooled our
heels in the air-conditioned coach one last time for this trip, and tomorrow afternoon
we’ll be back home.
Saturday, Oct 7, 2017 (California)Pismo Beach to Thousand Oaks (home)
It wasn’t quite the trip we had planned, but all in all, it was a very nice trip, especially the lush greenery in parts north. And now it’s time to settle back in to our familiar routines, get together with friends, and
start thinking about the upcoming holiday season. Hope you enjoyed ‘traveling’
with us!
Trip Stats
Days: 32
Miles: 2266
Hours Driving: 45
After viewing the photos below, if you would like to see photos from other RV trips, click/tap 'Home'
at the bottom of this page, then scroll down the
following page and click/tap 'RV Trips.'
Saturday, Oct 7, 2017 (California) Pismo Beach to Thousand Oaks (home)
It wasn’t quite the trip we had planned, but all in all, it was a very nice trip, especially the lush greenery in parts north. And now it’s time to settle back in to our familiar routines, get together with friends, and start thinking about the upcoming holiday season. Hope you enjoyed ‘traveling’ with us!
Trip Stats Days: 32
Miles: 2266
Hours Driving: 45
If you would like to see photos from other RV trips, click/tap 'Home' at the bottom of this page, then scroll down the following page and click/tap 'RV Trips.'
