Is It Really Memorial Day Weekend?...

I can't believe this is Memorial Day weekend already!  I've been away for three and a half weeks!  Wow.  I have been driving back and forth between North Bend/Coos Bay/Charleston... which are all smooshed together here.

I find when I get into a new place, I drive around and get my bearings and landmarks according to the maps I have picked up at the visitors center.

This was just behind the North Bend Visitor's Center.  It was part of the Merci Train and there is more information on it HERE if you would like...
  

I drove part way out to Cape Arago...

This was the sunset at, appropriately enough, Sunset Beach...

Having lived in Louisiana a spell, we called this Spanish Moss which grows on oaks.  There is a tragic love story about a young Indian princess and her Spanish suitor.  There are other versions as well.   A few days later in this trip I found that in the Pacific Northwest it was referred to as Methuselah's Beard since it grew on Douglas Firs and is known as the longest growing lichen.  You should look them both up :)

Yesterday I went to "BBQ, Blues and Brews" where I got to sample competitive bbq companies and listen to Blues bands.  It was a sunny day and very enjoyable.  The view across the bay was beautiful.  Closer onto evening, the clouds came over and it started to rain again... rats!

After spending two nights at Walmart, I went to the "dry camping" area of The Mill Casino which is on the river.  You can stay for free, just register at the RV park.  I was also able to take an evening shower for $5 in their facilities and since there was not a time limit, I think I was under water for about a half hour.  The water wasn't quite as hot as the laundromat, but it was wonderful none the less :)


Went to church today at Celebration Center in Coos Bay.  It is in an old school, Roosevelt Elementary School (I think), that was in operation from 1924 to 2000.  The pastor's son gave the message, and it was about Samson in Judges.

Then I went to Safeway in Coos Bay to plug into Starbucks and get everything charged.  I promised myself that I would not leave here until I finished my "Mom's Weekend" entry, and things were going along really great.  The pics were flying from my phone to my gmail account... UNTIL.... I decided to try sending a video clip.  Silly me!  It's been almost an hour now, and I can't get anything to transfer from my phone to any account on any browser!  I've really gummed it up!  SO frustrating!!  I was really on a roll with it too!

Well, while I wait for that... it's still a rather gray day, but not much rain.  If I dressed really warm, I could go out onto the beach and try flying my kite... but that just sounds too cold for me right now.  I will for sure make it tomorrow to Cape Arago and then probably leave the area on Tuesday, after the holiday traffic moves through.

Well something finally came through, and I got excited, but then that is all I got.  I am getting cold and hungry sitting here, so I think I am going to sign off for now.  Will be back at it, and trying to get all caught up, soon.

* * *
  

So I went on the coast drive despite the gray and rain...

 

 

At another part of Sunset Bay's park area... 

Clams are a big part of the industry here.  There were piles and piles of shells...

And, wouldn't you just know that the next day was clearer, so I decided to make the trek again.  Unfortunately, I had several long phone calls with family and friends, and by the time I got out there, it had started to get overcast and mist a bit.  Ah well.

The lighthouse of Cape Arago.  It is not open to the public.

 Beautiful picnic spots on the cape itself...

A little better view of the marine mammals...  these are the mama seals and their pups...

 And these are the larger types of seals sunning themselves...

My camera takes better pictures than my phone.

All in all, I had a great time in North Bend/Coos Bay/Charleston. A semi-large metropolitan area it has every store and amenity.  Plus the ocean, and the river.  I had a nice time in the area, and met several nice people.


:)