In January I%26#39;d reserved a vacation to Colorado, Ouray and Rocky Mntn. National Park. My husband had a small heart attack and was advised not to travel to high elevations...so we switched gears and decided to travel up the coast to Washington and possibly Vancover Island. After having canceled the reservations to Colorado, having non-refunable plane tickets to use with-in the next year and lost reservation fees, we decided to tent camp, something we hadn%26#39;t done in about 30 years, up the coast and stay at Chito Beach Resort in Sekiu on the Olympic Peninsula. We agreed if the tent and mats were not comfortable enough we%26#39;d find a hotel. We%26#39;ve seen most of the sites on the Oregon Coast, the Olympic Peninsula and the Southern part of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast...so our goal was to get through Oregon and explore new territory along the Juan de Fuca Strait.
Day 1: We left Santa Rosa, Ca about 10 am on June 22 heading North on 101. Stopped for lunch in Richardson Grove and continued on to Prarie Creek Redwoods arriving about 3 p.m. Had a lovely camp site in the trees. I%26#39;d made a reservation about 3 weeks ago. The camp ground host said they had just started filling up the night before. I love Jedidiah Smith campground, but choose this because it was a little less driving for day 1. It was a good choice. I forgot how green it starts to get just a few hours north of Santa Rosa. We saw the elk herd at the turn off for Gold Bluffs Beach, didn%26#39;t drive out there because it was breezy inland, figured it%26#39;d be really breezy on the coast.
Day 2: Left Prarie Creek about 9 am. Stopped for things we%26#39;d forgotten in Crescent City. Travel on 101 was slow because of bridge work. Had lunch at Bullards Beach. Stopped to buy fresh fish in Coos Bay for dinner. Arrived at Carl Washburn at 3:30. There were at least a dozen sites available. As I recall, the park is pretty typical for Oregon State Parks, although my only other camping experience was at Tugman about 18 years ago. The sites are close together with trees and greenery in between. We were next to a pathway so we had some privacy. The area is beautiful and it%26#39;s a short hike to the beach. It was pretty windy until the sun went down and gorgeous in the morning. My only complaint was the site across from us had a party pull on late at night to set up camp. I awoke to their talking at 2:30am.
Day 3: Left Washburn about 8:30. We had to stop in Newport to talk to Dr. because my husband forgot some of his meds. Probably there about 45 minutes. Drove through Manzanita, thinking of having lunch, but decided to continue on to Cannon Beach. It was around 2 when we got to Cannon Beach and the town was teaming with people. We couldn%26#39;t find a place to park and decided that we%26#39;d continue on to Astoria. Had lunch at Baked Alaska on the River. It was ok. We enjoyed looking at the fisherman an other boats and being inside and dry. We considered finding a hotel so as not to have to camp in the rain, but decided to go on and check out our destination, Point Deception State Park. Weather here was nicest of the trip so far, no wind and pleasant temperature. We hiked to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, unfortunatly it was just 5 and had closed. Worth a trip back to visit. About 9:30 it started to mist, so into the tent we went.
June 25: It rained off and on during the night, but had stopped so we could break down camp in dry weather. We left the camp at about 8:00 and stopped for Breakfast in South Bend at Chen鈥檚 鈥?the first place we saw- somewhere around 9. Stopped for groceries in Aberdeen. Drove to Qunault and hiked to the worlds largest Spruce tree. Checked out Klaloch Lodge (glad we%26#39;re moving on), where our original reservations were and hoped Chito Beach was better. Stopped in Forks at the welcome center to pick up Twilight stuff for daughter, looks like Twilight put this town on the map. Drove out to LaPush and had lunch. Left La Push around 3 and arrived at Chito Beach about 4. The house is literally on the rocks, have already seen an otter up on the rocks. As I write this I can hear the water lapping at the rocks with the door closed. I鈥檝e watched 1 cruise ship sail by and a barge. We had originally planned to stay here 2 nights, but lucked out and can stay one or two more, the pictures on trip advisor don%26#39;t do it justice...much better.
Once we arrived we realized if we stayed only 2 nights we continue our too fast pace and not really be able to explore. I%26#39;ll post a review under Chito Beach when we return. So far we%26#39;ve had a successful trip ';winging it';. We plan to leave here Sunday or Monday and head down Hood Canal to Mt. St. Helens.
Trip Report: Camping CA to WA Coast (LONG)
Sounds fun, the views from Baked Alaska are very pretty. Next time if you are looking for lodging in Astoria, there is a new hotel called The Commodore that has rooms starting at $69/night. I toured this hotel a few weeks ago, it is very cool! Thanks for sharing your travels with us! :)
Trip Report: Camping CA to WA Coast (LONG)
Sounds like a nice trip. We love to tent camp (mostly backpacking through) so it is nice to hear of others experiences. Twilight definitely has brought a lot of attention to Forks and the general area. But locals have been going for ages...DH used to spend summers in/around La Push. BTW, we just got back from France this week and Twilight is a hit there too. DD noticed that right away. Hood Canal is pretty, and I am sure you won%26#39;t be disappointed in Mt St Helens. Going to Johnston Ridge Observatory is a must!!! :)
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