EUGENE, OREGON
PART 1:
I have been wanting to post this but have been putting it off as I wanted it to be just right, so here goes!
What a whirlwind of a month this has been!
It all started when my sister, Candis, sent me a few Amtrak gift cards so that I could come out and visit her at her new home. It was such a generous offer and how could I refuse to see her! So, about a month ago I started planning and deciding which dates would work the best for both of us and so we chose June 15 through the 21.
And so the planning began. I told my friend Liberty about it and so we devised a plan to travel together. She wanted to see her son and family and me, my sister, so what better way to go than with a good friend! Not knowing what the weather was going to be, I decided to pack an assortment just in case. Oops, I actually should have packed more warm clothes, but I made do with what I brought with me. Oh, and the packing, what a pain that was! Doug thought that I should pack as light as possible and then buy what I needed when I arrived. So, I tried his way with a bag that I could sling over my shoulder, a bag for magazines for the train, and my purse. Believe me, don’t listen to him! I tried it out and it was light and doable but when I went to grab all of it and try to walk with to the car, I about fell over from the weight! Way too much for a largish gal like me to handle. I marched back to my bedroom, told him that was not going to work at all, and pulled out my pull along suitcase and repacked it. Of course, this was about 3 hours before we were to leave, pick up Liberty and go to the train station. And being a little rattled, I didn’t pack enough warm clothing. With my pull along luggage, my black bag for my phone, etc., my purse and pillow, we were on our way. By the way my pillow was my best friend on the train! It was the only way I could get comfy and sleep, somewhat.
Strange guy at train station or also known as Doug, my hubby.
Donna and Liberty at train station. We left Fresno at 6:15. Finally after taking the train to Stockton, and then the bus to Sacramento! And here we are on the Amtrak Starlight up to Eugene. We were so tired of sitting and it was nice to be on the train. That’s me in the Dome. Interesting fact about the train, there are five different areas where you can sit, according to your ticket. We had coach tickets, and it starts off with the Dining Room, Living Room, The Bedroom, Sleeper Car and Coach. They are all separate from each other and cannot be accessed if you don’t have the right ticket and they assign you seats. Coach is nice but the seats are a little small and not much leg room to stretch out, but the bottom part of the seats where your legs go, do go up so you can rest, and the back leans back so you can recline. I am not sure if I was overtired and excited and I didn’t get a lot of sleep, but that’s okay. I had my phone and a good book and was in the observation car on the second level most of the time. We arrived in Eugene about noon on Sunday, and I was so happy to get off the train and meet up with my sister.
The above pictures are of Mount Shasta while galloping by on the train, so it’s hard to get good clear pictures.
Spike and I at Candis’ home.
Monday morning found us at Torrid clothing store where I fell in love with a gorgeous denim jacket that was on sale and then further reduced by an additional 30%, in addition to a couple of short sleeved shirts. We then went to TJ Maxx and I found a couple of more tops on sale, a pair of pants, and a great mesh bag that is expandable. I love it and used it on my trip back.
We then came home after lunch and then practiced for 5 Crowns card game to prepare for that evening with friends. That game goes very quickly and just when you think you’re about to lay out your cards, someone else beats you to it! Candis, as she had the lowest score, was crowned queen!
Kathy, Donna, Susan, Doris, Pam, Dottie playing a brisk game of Five Crowns cards. Candis had the lowest score and was crowned Queen by Kathy. Picture taken by Candis. We had so much fun playing, and I felt like I was a part of this warm group of friends!
Tuesday morning we were all packed and ready to go, including Spike!
Tuesday morning, we left for Yachats, pronounced Yohats, and we went to Mo’s on the coast! There are windows all around and all the tables, including the center ones, all face the windows so you can look out at the ocean. I had a delicious clam chowder topped with shrimp and garlic toast and Candis had a shrimp salad! Yummy! We watched out the window where there was a pier. There were kids, parents and grandparents fishing for crabs. They would put a bucket into the water and about 2-3 minutes later they would pull up a basket full of crabs. I believe you paid to use the pier and could only keep certain sized crabs. They also used a pole with sticks on it and drop that into the water and then would pull it up a few minutes later full of clams! It was so nice and relaxing watching while enjoying a good lunch!
Afterwards we went to the Sea Lion Caves. If you really want a good work out with stairs, this is the place. Everything on the coast is on a steep incline, so you walk from the parking lot to the gift shop, uphill. You then go out and go further up on a cement path to the elevator, and then that takes to you to 2 flights of stairs. Once you reach the platform you can look out and see the sea lions resting on the rocks inside the cave. It is a warm spot for the sea lions to rest during the winter, but it was starting to warm up and most of them were outside sunbathing on the rocks.
There is another spot where you can sit and learn about the life of sea lions and other aquatic critters. You turn and then there are 3 more flights of stairs that lead you to a view of one of the many lighthouses on the coast. Then, afterwards you walk back down. It was nice and cool in there so we rested a little before going back down.
Afterwards we checked in at the Drift Inn for two nights. It is a 3-story wood hotel. There are 2 paths into it, the first one leads downstairs to the outside garden cafe and is a series of steps going down. Candis checked us in while I waited and then we then above the garden cafe on cement pathway that took us straight to our room. I believe our room was the Captain’s Bedroom (?) and was solid pine with a good-sized kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom and family area. Very nice and pleasant to rest in after our trek to the caves. We went down the stairs and had dinner at the Drift Inn Restaurant, fried fish and chips. Actually, flounder that was breaded and delicious!! We had an appetizer of jalapeno poppers wrapped in bacon and of course, the cream cheese stuffed inside. YUMMY!
We spent the evening playing cards and just relaxing. Though the bed left a lot to be desired. It looked nice and firm and plenty of room and pillows, but when I got in I felt like I was the filling in a taco shell! Of course, I never sleep well away from home.
Map of the Drift Inn, please click to enlarge.
Here is a link about Yachats: https://www.bing.com/travel/place-information?q=Yachats&SID=b9d009d8-0a2f-73cd-4aa6-57f877ec3d58&RID=1&moduletype=pano&form=DES360&entrypoint=DES360 It is right on the coast, so green, beautiful, clean and fresh air.
I will post the remaining tomorrow evening.
Delightful Designs 