Red Crest California, Sept. 29th



. We arrived in Red Crest yesterday to an RV park located on the Avenue of the Giants. We drove approximately 15 miles south on the avenue to witness some of the giant redwood along the Eel river.
 Tomorrow we travel to Fort Bragg along the coast and will do the "Skunk train," so named because in the 1930's it was run with a smelly gasoline engine.

Crescent Beach, California Sept. 26, 2010

 Cheryl hugs a giant redwood tree! We drove our cars through Jedediah State forest just out side Crescent Beach a 22 mile loop road.

The dinner bell rang!

The group gets ready for the pot luck supper, each rig provided a great dish!

Tomorrow explore the sights of Crescent Beach.

Gold Beach and Honey Bear Campground Friday Sept. 24

We all set up in the campground and attended a German Octoberfest hosted by the owners who put this on each Fall. We had a great meal and wonderful entertainment afterwards. Gary, the owner, sang, played the harmonica and just plain loved to dance! It was a great way to celebrate with good German food and beer!

Gold Beach area, Oregon Sept. 25, 2010

Today we took a jet boat ride up the Rogue River for a 65 mile round trip with lunch at the 33 mile mark. We saw bald eagles, river otters and lots of fishermen catching salmon. Again, the weather was perfect!
       Cheryl enjoys her lunch before the return run. Tommorow we head to California and Crescent Beach.

Gold Beach, Oregon Sept 23, 2010



Cheryl and Joe feed the cubs!



We stopped to visit a Safari and petting zoo on the way to Gold Beach. It was a thrill to feed a tiger cub, actually two cubs while there. It is a very nice zoo and lots of animals walking around. To the right, Cheryl holds a ferret. Needless to say, when we got back to the camper, Kallie our cat, gave us a good sniff over as we carried the scent of the animals on our clothes! All in all, it was an amazing experience.

Coos Bay Oregon and environs Sept. 22, 2010

Several of us went to the Dunes area and rented ATV's to tour the sand dunes. Cheryl and I had single seaters and others had 2 seaters. We had a blast, but I know our bodies will feel it tomorrow! We were out on the dunes for an hour. One more thing to check off our "Bucket List!" As I mentioned earlier, these dunes run along the Pacific coast for 62 miles, we just scratched the surface.

Florence, Oregon and environs Sept. 21, 2010

Today we took a sand dune buggy ride along the Pacific coast. It was a beautiful morning and enjoyed by all our guests. We had two buggies to fit all of us in. It was a blast with wonderful views. Highly recommend it! The large tires are from airplanes. These dunes run from Florence south for 62 miles. Tomorrow we travel to Coos Bay for another two days of adventure!

Newport, Oregon and envirions

We spent several days visiting Newport which is right on the coast. Here we see crabbers cleaning their Dungeness crabs. We also visited the Rogue Brewery and had dinner there on the harbor.

One of our guests enjoys a beer as it was her birthday!

In town we strolled the boardwalk and were entertained by the noisy sea lions and harbor seals!

Tallest sitka spruce in Oregon

We observed this sitka spruce, over 300 feet tall in the Munson Falls gorge. Truely and awesom sight. Sitka is used in the building of wooden components of aircraft due to its uniform grain and strength.

Munson Falls St. Pk. Tillamook, OR

This morning we hiked up to this water fall. What a wonderful trail, we observed lots of moss covred trees along the stream.
Our friends and "tailgunner" staff, Diane and Larry Tolin pose with us. Our boxes of material came from the office so now we have to get down to work!

Last summer in Charleston, SC

I was perusing some older folders of photos and found this one of son Duane bringing his yatch into Charleston harbor. Ha, Ha, he makes me laugh, has the same sense of humor as the "Old Man"!
 Just heard his son Devin has been accepted to University of South Carolina to play soccer when he graduates from high school in 2012! Congrats, Devin!

Grandpa & Grandma's Ttime to Brag

It's bragging time in our household  This artical appeared in the Summerville Journal Scene about our grandson Devin, yesterday.

"THE GAMECOCK SOCCER PROGRAM HAS HOOKED ANOTHER LOWCOUNTRY STANDOUT"


     Fort Dorchester’s Devin L’Amoreaux has verbally committed to playing for the University of South Carolina men’s soccer team. The Patriot junior says he got to know members of the Gamecock staff well over the past several years and has friends who already gave their verbal commitment to USC so the decision was an easy one to make.
     “I started going to Carolina camps when I was 10 and things went really well for me there,” L’Amoreaux said. “One of their scouts told me that first year they would be at my door in 2010. I’ve known the coaches for a long time and they are a pretty good team, plus I will know some of the other members of the team.”
     L’Amoreaux is a two-year starter for the Patriots who plays the center-mid and forward positions. He was among the leading scorers for the Fort last season, but he says the Gamecocks are probably more interested in him for his footwork and ability to set up plays from the midfield.
     He has extensive club-ball experience and currently suites up for South Carolina United FC, a US Developmental Academy team that is ranked No. 3 in the country. Coached by Clark Brisson, it is the only Carolina team in the Development Academy League.
     L’Amoreaux is currently ranked No. 4 in the South Atlantic Region and 60th in the country on the TopDrawerSoccer.com Top 100 Players to Watch in 2012 list. He was one of only 28 players selected to attend the US Men's U17 National Team Training Camp held recently at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla.
     When he arrives at USC in 2012, he will join several athletes he has already played with, or against, including his Fort D teammate Wesley Eads. Other familiar faces will include Pinewood goalkeeper Robert Beebe and Lexington High’s Ryan Freiburger, who were also selected for the South Carolina United FC program and have committed to USC.
     “I’m excited,” L’Amoreaux said. “I think it will be a great opportunity for me and that we will be pretty successful at the college level. That is some pretty good company and I only see those guys improving down the line. There will be some real competitors on that team so it should be fun.”
                                                         Article written by Roger Lee Summermile Journal Scene

Tillamook, Oregon and the "Tour" begins! Sept. 7th 2010

Cheryl and I are safely ensconced in Pleasant Valley RV park and begin contacting our vendors and awaiting the guests to come. Our tailgunner couple just arrived, Larry and Diane Tolin, and we  have been discussing some of the details we encountered in running the tour in reverse to learn it. We have had our first rain in many weeks! All for now.

More on Newport, Oregon

This is the Yaquina Bay bridge and just at the other end we will stay in the Oregon State University RV park and visit the Hatfield marine center and the Rouge Brewery for a tour and dinner as well as the aquarium. This photo was taken at the base of the historic light house.

Newport, OR and environs Sunday Sept. 5th

The working lighthouse.

Today we visited Newport, Oregon and as it was Labor Day weekend, things were a bit hectic as everyone was visiting the places we were visiting! Oh well, join the crowds they say.  We will be bringing the tour group here in a few weeks so checked out several areas of intrest. One is the Yaquina Head lighthouse and visitors center.(left)The other is a historic lighhouse museum seen below. We will also visit historic Bay Front, which is full of resturants and sea food places. The ususal touristy things. Weather is still gorgeous!

Florence, Oregon and environs Sept. 3, 2010

What beautiful weather we are enjoying! The lady at this park said Sept. and Oct. are the best months in Oregon.
 Today we drove north 9 miles to visit the most photographed lighthouse on the Pacific coast, Heceta head lighthouse. We took a tour to learn the history from a very knowlegeable lady.

We then walked to the local beach for a picnic Cheryl packed for us. You can't buy these places, but enjoy them for free as long as you wish. The state of Oregon owns the entire coast line! What a life, but someone has to do it!! Maybe one day you will visit here!