We spent two days in Gig Harbor visiting our friends, the Melchiors. We visited with them on the way up and had to visit them again on the way back. The first thing we did was made a stop at Trader Joes. Two months without Trader Joes groceries filled us with cravings and we needed a fix. The Melchiors took us to see the Bloedel Reserve and Gardens on nearby Bainbridge Island, a very nicely preserved estate that is open for hiking and viewing. The first floor of the family home is also open to the public. The Bloedel Reserve covers 150 acres with 84 acres being second growth forest. The remainder acres are altered landscapes with gardens, ponds and meadows. The place is meant for relaxing and reflection and it was! Later in the day we spent some time at the Blackberry Festival in Bremerton and had a nice dinner in nearby Manette. The next day we left for Oregon.
September 6 – 7, 2009 - NEWPORT AREA
Heading south through western Washington we crossed the two mile long Columbia River Bridge at Astoria and continued south through Oregon along the coast through Tillamook and on to Beverly Beach State Park near Newport. Driving along the Oregon Coast is such a beautiful drive. We have done it several times and never tire of it. In Tillamook we stopped and visited the Tillamook Cheese Factory. Being a holiday weekend, the place was very crowded so we were not able to stay long and enjoy the place like we have done in the past. We were not even able to sample some of the cheese because the line was so long. We did manage to buy some stuff at their gift shop and have lunch in their cafe.
We stayed two nights at Beverly Beach State Park. We spent a day exploring the historic Bay Front, the waterfront section of the town. Newport has been a resort community for the past 100 years and Newport’s location at the entrance of Yaquina Bay has made fishing an important industry. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located in this area and is a ‘must see’. We did not have time to visit it on this trip, but have explored it on past trips to this area. What we had time for was shopping and eating which is what we did at Bay Front. This area is one long street along the waterfront. What attracts people to this street is not just the shops and restaurants, but the murals on several of the buildings. This artwork is pretty fantastic and encourages you to walk the whole block just to look for these murals.
Two more days to HOME. Stay tune for Vol 10 – Home Sweet Home.
