Hey all -
Just a quick update since the last time I posted I was at a critical juncture.
Since we left that God Forsaken Truck Repair in Missoula, the bus has been running good.
We took it to a real 2 stroke mechanic in Spokane and he spent about 3 hours going through the engine and couldn't find anything wrong with it. Of course there were a couple things needing lovin but nothing major.
From Spokane we drove to Yakima. I know that on one morning while idling up for air the bus was in gear. Weird because usually the high idle won't go unless its in neutral.
After that I noticed the tranny fluid was a gallon and a half shy. I topped it off and we climbed over White Pass. Beautiful visions of Mt Rainier and the surrounding area.
We have been parked in Randle WA for the past 3 months and have just yesterday left Portland now headed south.
Went through Tillamook and did the cheese factory. It was quite a storm when we got there. Wind gust of 60-70 MPH and torrential downpours. Needless to say we were just about the only people visiting the cheese factory that day.
The locals told us everything in town would be shutting down that afternoon. Roads, businesses and bridges as the 5 rivers that pour into the bay were overflowing into the valley.
So we had to make a decision - stay where we were and hope to not get flooded out or drive south to Lincoln City in this mess before all the roads close.
So we chose the latter. Needless to say it was a white knuckler headed through the hills with tthose winds and the rain coming down sideways.
So we made it to Lincoln City and are headed south to Florence today. Bus has been running fantastic. No issues at all.
Any "must sees" along the 101 south? Any spots I need to be careful of? I've heard its quite the drive here in Oregon.
Thanks guys.
-Sean
Hi Sean, good for you, weather says rain, rain, rain. 101 thru CA is nice, take a side trip thru montery, ca and see aquarium and Big Sur, missions, in big Sur area a wonderful restaurant on the coast hyw, where you can sit in a river in rough hewn chairs, with a canopy trees over you, pretty neat, tom...
Quote from: lvmci on December 09, 2015, 06:57:14 AM
Hi Sean, good for you, weather says rain, rain, rain. 101 thru CA is nice, take a side trip thru montery, ca and see aquarium and Big Sur, missions, in big Sur area a wonderful restaurant on the coast hyw, where you can sit in a river in rough hewn chairs, with a canopy trees over you, pretty neat, tom...
Hey Tom -
Sorry I missed you these last couple weeks.
We did 101 from Ventura up through Monterey last year. It was an amazing drive!
We even bought a family membership to the aquarium as it was cheaper than a one day ticket for all of us.
Tip for bus converters visiting Monterey - They have "bus only" parking downtown for free. This is for the tour buses that go through there but we parked there all day and had no problems. I did ask the local tour drivers if it was okay as I didn't want to impede their work space. The two I spoke to said no problem, if its a bus then park it!
-Sean
Newport is worth a visit and the aquarium south of town. A little farther south the Prehistoric Gardens https://www.google.com/maps/place/Prehistoric+Gardens/@42.6005135,-124.3915712,14z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0x3eda26792c70bef0 (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Prehistoric+Gardens/@42.6005135,-124.3915712,14z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0x3eda26792c70bef0)
Gold Beach has boat rides up the Rogue River at http://www.roguejets.com/ (http://www.roguejets.com/)
Bandon is nice little town with http://www.facerockcreamery.com/ (http://www.facerockcreamery.com/) I am a fan of their Vampire Slayer Cheese
Gold Beach, OR.
If you like back roads, there is some fantastic roads up the Rogue River area. The roads are good gravel up into the hills there. Really pretty. We stayed across from the river at Indian Creek RV. There is also some boondocking along the river if the water isn't too high.
Don and Cary
Be sure to stop in Brookings OR and hit "Feelies" the soon to be world famous hamburger place. It is in the Sears Shopping Center strip mall. Be very hungry indeed.
Get there before about 2 pm. They usually run out of hamburger meat. Easy parking.
Also include the obvious coastal redwoods. Wow! 300 foot high trees. Go N on 199 to the Stout Grove. Less than 30 minutes from 101. Redwood National Park in NW CA has that famous crescent shaped beach just S of Crescent City CA. World class beach.
Years ago we budgeted 14 days wandering down the Pacific Coast from The Columbia River OR to San Francisco. It ended up taking us over 30 days. Be sure to take the off ramps and hit the bypassed numerous small CA towns. Very fun indeed. Enjoy.
Forum running strange
Decent RV park in Winchester bay just south of Reedsport, on the bay. We have a place on Tahkenitch lake (MP 203) and love it, beautiful country, think you will enjoy
If you haven't already passed through, watch out for the revenue hungry sheriff in Rockaway Beach. You are making that trip headed the right way - its a whole different experience going south than it is going north. On the southbound trip if you see something interesting you can simply roll off the road and have a look. When you're done merge back in and keep on keeping on. Northbound, not so much.
We here in SW OR are expecting very heavy rain and higher snow from now 9 Dec, through the weekend and leading into next week. Yikes! Usually the coast gets high winds also. Like 50-70 knots. We here have gotten over one foot of rain in just a week. More expected. Flood watches in effect. This might affect your plans. Stay safe!
If your not in a hurry I would wait until the storm passes otherwise it's gonna be a tough drive. And you'll miss al the things to see
Sea Lion caves just north of Florencs
Thanks for all the suggestions!
We are in Florence trying to sit this storm out for now. There was a shooting up in Newport yesterday and they shut down 101 until about 6 last night.
So we did a good section of 101 in the dark from Newport to here. Probably the prettiest views but it is what it is.
Hopefully this passes sooner than expected. Probably down to Coos bay tonight and park it at Sunset Bay SP tomorrow.
We've been bondocking for about a week now. Doing good but wifey needs to catch up on laundry and I'm about done with navy showers so a good long 30 minute shower would be nice.
HB - thanks for all the suggestions. A decent burger sounds awesome right about now.
Wifey said she must try the Vampire Slayer cheese so thats on the docket now as well. Definitely will stop in Gold Beach too and Redwoods are a not to miss for us.
Thanks again. Hope you all have a super weekend and get lots of projects checked off the list!
-Sean
There used to be a little café in Gold Beach OR, on the main street in the center of town not too far from the police station, that had THE BEST pies I think I've ever eaten. is it still there? I was riding my bicycle down the West Coast some years ago when the weather turned nasty (sounds familiar?), so I holed up in Gold Beach for a few days waiting for it to pass. Well, it didn't, so I ate pies instead, all day, going through the entire menu several times - I still recollect the strawberry rhubarb pie all these years later. I finally capitulated and rode to Crescent City and put my bike on the Greyhound bus that used to run from Portland to SF along 101, and that was my first time in an MC9 with a 6V92. Ah, memories.
At Leggett CA the true coast highway, California 1, starts, but it will be a challenge in a 40' bus. If you're up to doing it, it's sublimely beautiful all the way to SF, and it has its own rugged beauty in the winter with waves crashing on the rocks and the wind blowing the trees sideways.
John
Quote from: Seangie on December 10, 2015, 10:08:35 AM
Thanks for all the suggestions!
We are in Florence trying to sit this storm out for now.
-Sean
That's funny, I don't see your pictures posted in the "Bus Travel and Use Stories" section. Must be something really wrong with this forum. They used to say "it ain't so without pictures!"
Sean -
I'll echo John's suggestion about picking up CA - 1 in Leggett and continuing SB from there. The first 10-15 miles can be a little twisty, but not really any worse than Hiway 1 from SLO to Monterey. There are several switchbacks that you'll need to take your half out of the other side in order to not scratch the rub rails, but just watch for traffic and stop until it's clear. Better yet, let Angie drive! Hehehehe. . . :)
I'll check with another busnut friend of mine who works for Golden Gate Transit to find out where's the best point to get back over to 101, as GGT runs transit service all over that area N of San Francisco. Watch your text msgs for that info.
S of Crescent City, but N of Eureka, is Patrick's Point SP, which is a really nice little campground. Unfortunately, I don't think your Eagle will fit, last time I was there we were in the Caravan pulling a tent trailer. (But there was a 4104 nestled in among the trees, even tho there's a 31' rig limit.)
Speaking of Eureka, you've GOT to take the Turtlettes to the Samoa Cookhouse for dinner - it's been feeding folks since before the environmental wackos shut down the lumber industry. Plenty of parking for the coach, especially if you go early and don't go on a weekend.
Leaving Eureka, take a little side trip to Ferndale, a perfect example of small-town Americana where time has stood still. It's also where they filmed the movie Outbreak, if you remember that one. The front of the old bank in downtown was used as the entrance to the "hospital" in the movie. We were there when it was being filmed - lighting cables strung all over everywhere, and traffic wasn't allowed. Didn't see Dustin Hoffman, but did get to chat with a grip for a few minutes. Said he liked the town so much, was going to look at buying property in the area!
About 10 minutes after you rejoin 101 from Ferndale is the N entrance to the Avenue of the Giants and it's well-marked. The Avenue parallels the freeway, but it's a leisurely drive type of road where you get to savor the magnificence of the CA Coastal Redwoods. Angie would not be happy if you bypassed this! The Avenue rejoins 101 a mile or so south of Phillipsville. Take your time and enjoy!
Back on 101, another 15 - 20 minutes brings you to Leggett, where you'll turn right to head to the coast.
From Ft Bragg S along the Mendocino coast, you'll experience what the west coast of Ireland is like. It's uncannily similar, having been to both. And if you've got any Irish in your family history, you might want to check out The Irish Shop on Main St in downtown Mendocino, a quaint little place with lots of Irish items. Buy Angie a genuine Irish Aran Wool sweater for Christmas!!
Not sure of what your itinerary is once you get near the Bay Area, care to elaborate? It looks like we may be two ships that pass in the night again as I head NB to Canada for Christmas while you're working your way down the coast. Maybe you'll still be in the area when I get back around Jan 3/4? Either way, we'll be in touch.
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
With the rain and winds that they are forecasting i would expect that there will be trees down and mudslides on the highway in places. You might be there for longer than you think! Stay safe.
Sean,
Glad to see the Eagle is still running strong. We were in that area this spring and enjoyed all of it. Also visited Tillimook, bought bread and cheese and it was good eating. Tell Angie and the kids Hi for us and have safe travels.
Tom & Karen Hamrick
If you choose CA 1 south of Leggett, you can head inland towards the 101 either at Jenner (there's a big climb between Fort Ross and Jenner, but the views are fantastic) and follow the Russian River on 116 to Santa Rosa, or push further south on 1 to Bodega and Bodega Bay (where Hitchcock's The Birds was filmed) and head inland to Petaluma, or keep on 1 until Tomales Bay (good oysters there) or Point Reyes Station and then head inland on quiet back roads to get back onto the 101. Don't go as far south on 1 as Stinson Beach (even though the Steep Ravine hike there is probably the most beautiful short hike you'll ever take, anywhere) because 1 becomes very narrow and steep as it climbs over the coastal hills to reach the 101 at Mill Valley. The Golden Gate Bridge is charged for southbound traffic (but free going north), the opposite of the San Rafael - Richmond bridge that is free southbound.
Whichever way you go, it's all beautiful.
John
We don't "have" to be anywhere until the 9th of January.
I think Angie was hoping to be further south (east of LA) at the least by the 1st of the year.
But at the rate you guys are throwing up suggestions its starting to sound like a month long trip!
RJ - We are all so hoping to see you at some point. Would LOVE to see your bus! Thanks for all the suggestions. We are definitely adding them to the list.
John - Pie is all you had to say. Its on the list. Will post pictures. I'd mail some pie back to you but don't think it would be what you remembered by the time it got there!
ED - For sure. Angie wanted to run out to Eugene yesterday to get some "must haves" from a store there. We were going to take the bus but I'm glad we didn't. She almost didn't make it home from the washouts in the roads going over those hills. 101 has been good south of Tillamook. But lots of freshly cut timber on the roadside as we travel.
Tom - Wow! Did you all drive my next bus...er I mean your new Prevo over to the West Coast? That's such a great trip if you were able to do that. Good to hear from you. Bus is running great. Its needing a bit of exterior loving with the 60 inches or so of rain we have seen since the end of October. But we love it. Its been very very good to us.
Angie's taken most of the pictures from her phone. Ill see if I can steal some from her and post them here later.
If you follow instagram she is "fruitytoenails" a few pics there.
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-Sean
If you make it to the LA area, we are now in Murrieta off the 15. It would be good to see you guys again.
Be safe and have fun. You have a lot to see and do, just enjoy it!
If you do the Leggett cut off, there is a state park at Westport you can actually get into with the bus. It overlooks the ocean. We use this a a base to see the stuff in the area. There isn't much of the kids to do other than explore the beach, but it will be the only place you can park in the area without going into an RV park.
There is an airplane museum in Oregon along your route where the Spruce Goose is. I have heard that it is interesting.
Cary
The Evergreen Museum is well worth the visit http://evergreenmuseum.org/the-spruce-goose (http://evergreenmuseum.org/the-spruce-goose) It is in McMinnville in the heart of Oregon wine country.
Quote from: Lee Bradley on December 12, 2015, 08:07:10 PM
The Evergreen Museum is well worth the visit http://evergreenmuseum.org/the-spruce-goose (http://evergreenmuseum.org/the-spruce-goose) It is in McMinnville in the heart of Oregon wine country.
We drove past this museum last year when we were here. Its on the todo list for me. Wifey wasn't the least bit interested when I told her about it. We will get to it at some point. Right now we are parked off the side of the highway just North of Gold Beach.(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F12%2F13%2F3b085fb3e42afedb3e6ca781d09ae398.jpg&hash=341ef31b82da6d027720550717df5fcc5c3dc331)
Who knew the bus came with Oceanfront Timeshare?
If you follow 101 through Santa Rosa you are only a few minutes from our house in Penngrove. Love to meet you and the family.
So, how are you enjoying our Oregon winter weather? You might be there until May or so. Yikes! :)
To bad the weather was so awful when you were in Tillamook. One of the blimp hangers is still standing there from the former Naval Air Station Tillamook. It has an aircraft museum in it that also contains history and items related to its active service. I think it is still one of the largest open area wood truss structures in the world. My mother was the telephone switchboard supervisor during its construction and for the first several years after the Navy took possession. Below is the website for the museum.
http://www.tillamookair.com/ (http://www.tillamookair.com/)
Hi Sean,
Karen and I took a 4 month loop around the country this spring. We drove the coast from San Francisco to Ilwaca, WA, but had to backtrack some of highway 1 in the Jeep. So your next bus has been exposed to that area and performed perfectly!! :D
Tom & Karen
Quote from: easystreet on December 13, 2015, 08:44:03 AM
To bad the weather was so awful when you were in Tillamook. One of the blimp hangers is still standing there from the former Naval Air Station Tillamook. It has an aircraft museum in it that also contains history and items related to its active service. I think it is still one of the largest open area wood truss structures in the world. My mother was the telephone switchboard supervisor during its construction and for the first several years after the Navy took possession. Below is the website for the museum.
http://www.tillamookair.com/ (http://www.tillamookair.com/)
Thanks for letting us know this. We have an existing hangar at Elizabeth City NC (near the airport that's now the EC Coast Guard Air Station), the one in NC is not open to the public, it's used by defense blimp makers (civilian), the "Canon" and "Shamu" blimps, and a company making moored blimp radio/radar antennas. I am a pilot for the NC Forest Service and I was assigned up there for a few years 2009-2012 and flew by it everyday. By chance, its "twin" was also destroyed by fire in the 1990's. Now I have to add Tillamook to my travel list!
(PS if you go into your ID summary and add your name and general location, it will help people here get to know you and locate you if you or someone needs help in your area.)
If I remember correctly the contract to build the hanger was for 11 acres of roof. That is one amazing building.
Wayne
Rusty, :o I may be wrong and quite frequently I am but 11 acres seems pretty large. I saw the pictures and maybe the property is that but the roof itself is a little less than that? I stood in the one in Long Beach California for lighter than air and it had 2 very large blimps in it and it was only about an acre. LOL, Maybe there was more back then that has been removed?
Cool if it is that big.
Dave5Cs
And if you're still on a blimp hanger binge if you reach Southern California, we have two huge ones at the former Tustin MCHAS in Orange County that are impressive. One can drive quite close by them.
John, suffering from wind chill in the high 60s / low 70s here now . . . Woe is me.
dave 5c Yes that is a very big area. But that thing is 1050 feet long somewhere around 275 feet tall and like 175 ft wide. I don't know how to do the math for that shape but if you use 1050 X 275 X 2 you get well over 11 acres. I am pretty sure that was the contract I saw in the musuem.
It is well worth seeing.
Wayne
The air museum at Tillamook the hanger covers 7 acres fwiw,almost the same sf that a E building Walmart super center has
That sounds about right than the roof could be 11 acres.
Wayne
Figure the Quonset it is 11 acres of roof,a Quonset is 1/2 a circle fwiw
Back in the 80's Louisiana Pacific had a sawmill in that hanger. I was loading there one day and the guy told me it was 7 acres at the floor and how many thousands of bolts are in those trusses but can't remember that figure now.
7 Acres, wow.
If that was my shop, I'd still be working in the same 10 SF area.
Tripping over equipment and bumping into stuff.
Some habits die hard.
Hi All, in the 70s, I worked at Sunnyvale Air Force Station, on Moffett Field Navy Station, south of San Fran, off the 101 Fwy, those blimp hanger were gigantic, in the summer you could almost see them breathe, lvmci...
Updated my profile as per request. Happy to try to help if someone is in the area or needs a place to park for a few days.
The hanger at NAS Tillamook was erected by Peter Kewitt (sp?) Construction with much of the erection taking place during some particularly awful winter weather. Amazing what they accomplished with war effort determination and the equipment of the time. Mom actually got to go aloft in one of the blimps on a local coastal patrol.
Rusty I guess if you measure from ground up and over to ground I see what you are saying. Interesting. :D
Dave
7 acres is a large building I looked at the building for friend in Boise Id to make it over to distributing center for Waremart (Winco now) but it was to small so they built a 20 acre under 1 roof in Woodburn Or now they have four centers the same size across the west.
LOL I missed that investment who would have thought a grocery chain could be so profitable and grow so fast