Traipsing Through Tillamook- Day One

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Troubadour was scheduled to teach a Team Oregon class last weekend in Tillamook.  A little town approximately 90 miles north and west of Corvallis.  Since he was teaching both Saturday and Sunday afternoons they put him up in a hotel for the night and I was able to tag along.

Our original plan was to ride the bikes up and back since there are a few good twisty roads in between the highways but, since we were waiting for a gasket for Lucy we took the car.

We arrived in Tillamook by 10 am.  While it had been dry and overcast at home it was raining in Tillamook.  Hubby wasn't thrilled about teaching in the rain but at least it wasn't cold, just really muggy.

We stayed at the Ashley Inn at the north end of town.  Luckily they let us check in early. 

(King room at the Ashley Inn)

I took a few pictures out the window to show how bleak the weather was and how dreary the view.

(Looking Northeast)

(Looking Southeast)

We wanted to try and find some lunch before Troubadour had to be on the range, but there wasn't much to choose from in the land of dairy and cattle.  We ended up at Safeway buying bananas and nectarines to add to the supply of Cliff bars we brought with us.

I dropped Troubadour off and instead of doing anything touristy I stopped at the Fred Meyer store next to the hotel and purchased a few snacks for the evening and items that might be dinner if we couldn't find a restaurant.  On the way out I stopped at the in-store Starbucks for an iced coffee and went back to the room to relax and read and putter on the iPad until it was time to pick up hubby.

I picked him up about 4:30.  He was a little wet but not too bad.  We went back to the hotel so he could freshen up and did a little more research on restaurants.  Urbanspoon.com had some good reviews for a Chinese place that had veggie options so we went there. Nothing to write home about unless you a count fortune cookie so stale I spit it out first bite.

We decided that since the rain had lightened we'd do the Three Capes Loop and stop at the Cape Mears Lighthouse for some photos.

On the way we saw the saddest, wettest, most miserable raccoon ever just wandering down the road.

(Sad little raccoon)

After a short drive up a twisty pot hole riddled road we made it to Cape Mears State Scenic Viewpoint and National Wildlife Refuge  I think that raccoon was headed the wrong way if he needed refuge.

When we got out of the car we decided against jackets since it was warm and so muggy. As we started down the path to the lighthouse I noticed a spider web with rain clinging to it like strands of mini pearls.

(Cape Mears Lighthouse)

(Long day - we look tired)

From the lighthouse we took another path around the parking lot to the Octopus Tree.  A massive Sitka Spruce said to have been one of the ceremonial trees used by the coastal Indian tribes.

(The Octopus Tree)

(now that's old)

(My favorite picture of the tree)

(Another silly self portrait)

Oh look, the thistles are blooming.

(We have thistles everywhere in Western Oregon)

(Back at the parking lot we took a picture of the information kiosk)

As we left the park we had a general idea of where we were headed, we thought.  We just followed the signs indicating we were on the Three Capes Scenic Drive.  We stopped in Oceanside for a picture or two since the mist had lifted a bit.

We then headed inland and found cows.  I had to take pictures for ToadMama.  I couldn't get close enough for really clear pictures though.

And we stumbled across Sand Lake Recreational Area.  A coastal destination for off road riding for motorcycles, quads, and ATVs of all sorts.  Oh, and more campers and big-ass trucks than you could shake a stick at.

(Biggest truck we saw there)

(Me thinks he is compensating for something tiny)

On the way out I asked hubby to stop the car to take a picture of a bright outbuilding.  I think they used scrap metal roofing to build it.

(Glad I don't have to look at it out my front window)

While I was taking the picture Troubadour asked me to turn around.  Apparently I was so mesmerized by the hideous colors I almost missed the beauty of the old house across the street.

(Even the old brick chimney is still standing)

(Makes you wonder who used to live there)

We made it back to the motel by 9:30 pm.  We were tired after a long day.  Next up - Day Two where I explored the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum, Tillamook Cheese Factory and Blue Heron French Cheese Company (they also had goats and old farm equipment).

- Au Revoir

"A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on cold iron." - Horace Mann
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