The Oregon Coast ~ December 13-16, 2009

We made a 'long weekend' trip to the Charleston area, with side trips as far north as Gardiner and as far south as Bandon.  We had good weather and bad weather, but we had a great time!


Santiam Pass

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/santiam-pass.html

McKenzie Highway

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/mckenzie-pass-highway-126-december-13.html

Welcome Home, Nathan!

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/welcome-home-nathan.html 

Umpqua River - Highway 38

•  http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2010/01/umpqua-river-highway-38-december-13-16.html 

Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/dean-creek-elk-viewing-area-reedsport.html 

David Dewett Veteran's Memorial

•  http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/david-dewett-veterans-memorial-coos-bay.html 

Conde B McCullough Bridge, Coos Bay

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/conde-b-mccullough-bridge-coos-bay.html 

Charleston, Oregon

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/charleston-oregon-december-13-2009.html 

Campbell's Vacation Apartments

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/charleston-oregon-december-13-2009.html 

Shore Acres State Park

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2010/01/shore-acres-state-park.html

Shore Acres Christmas Lights

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/shore-acres-christmas-lights.html

Charleston Harbor, December 14

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/charleston-harbor-december-14-2009.html 

Umpqua Lighthouse and the Umpqua River

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/umpqua-lighthouse-umpqua-river-december.html 

Winchester Bay

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/winchester-bay-december-14-2009.html

Gardiner Cemetery

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2010/01/gardiner-cemetery-gardiner-oregon.html

Reedsport and the Discovery Center

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/reedsport-and-discovery-center-december.html

Cargo Ship in Coos Bay

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/cargo-ship-enters-coos-bay-december-15.html

Cape Arago Lighthouse

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/cape-arago-lighthouse-december-15-2009.html

Bastendorf Beach

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/bastendorf-beach-december-12-2009.html 

Sunset Bay

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/sunset-bay-december-15-2009.html 

Cape Arago State Park

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/cape-arago-state-park-december-15-2009.html

Bandon

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/bandon-december-15-2009.html

Coquille River Lighthouse

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/coquille-river-lighthouse-december-15.html

Christmas Trains and Villages ~ The Charleston Fire Department

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-trains-and-villages.html

 Last Morning in Charleston and the Seafarers Memorial

• http://wanderingoregon.blogspot.com/2010/02/our-last-morning-early-light-on.html

Final Thoughts on Our Trip

We made some fairly bad choices on some of our restaurant adventures - found most restaurants closed on the nights we were in town and had a fire prevent us from eating in one highly recommended restaurant, The Portside, in Charleston.  Fortunately, we were directed by the owner of The Portside to the Hilltop House. (see the map below) Hilltop House Restaurant & Lounge, 93405 Willsey Lane, North Bend, Cuisine: pacific northwest, steakhouse, seafood • 541-756-416.  It sits on the north side of the McCullough Bridge and has a magnificent view of the bay. 

We stopped at the local cannery outlet and purchased some gift packs.  I wish we had gotten a take out shellfish dinner for ourselves while we were there instead of our restaurant choices --- next time!

I had some difficulty with my new camera on the first day and managed to delete a days worth of pictures of the Umpqua River, which was very disappointing.

I can't say enough about how magnificent Campbell's was to stay at!  Since we don't like the "hotel experience" and like quiet and privacy and a view, we could not have been more pleased.

Traveling in winter has its own joys and problems.  For the most part the trade off in weather is made up for by the lack of crowds.  After all, you just dress warm and know that water won't cause you to melt.  Our last day was marred by heavy winds that were harder to work around.

All in all, it was a wonderful trip!


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