Monday August 8, Harris Beach State Park, Brookings, OR

We have reached the west coast of Oregon tonight, and some cooler weather. Seemed strange tonight to have to put a sweater on to walk on the beach.

Walked through the camp this morning before breakfast, the huge trees with light filtering through and campers with fires going getting their morning coffee’s made was such a peaceful atmosphere. These primitive forest camps are great for families wanting to get a real camping experience in great locations.

Decided this morning that I just had to get a hair cut, Grants Pass a town of 30,000 was on our route to the coast and seemed like a good place to get try. It was an hour and a half’s drive which initially drove through the forest following the Rogue River, stunning scenery. Out of the forest and the road was lined with little cottages beside the river, this is a very good trout fishing river and saw lots of fishermen out and about.

First stop at Grants Pass was the info centre for info on hairdressers. Found one just a few blocks away, and only had to wait 30 minutes for a cut, just time to have lunch at the nearby café. Ashley the hairdresser did a great job, feels so much better.

Stopped in town for a bit of shopping and supplies, the temperature was up to 35 degrees by mid afternoon, so decided to drive on west and get to the Oregon Coast, via a short loop into northern California. It was a great drive down through the mountains on a very windy road in a gorge following the Smith River. Surprised to be stopped at the California Border for a fruit and vegetable check, and had to give up my cherries, a bit tough as we were only in the state for 30 minutes and then back into Oregon, but guess they are only trying to protect their state.

Tonight the state park is right on the coast although can’t see it from camp, it is a short walk down a hill to the beach. After dinner tonight we walked to the beach just in time to see the sunset, with a vibrant orange sky.