September 12-13 South on 101 to California

We discovered how beautiful (and Slow) Rt 101 is down the Oregon Coast with dramatic scenery and ocean views and cliffs aside the winding narrow roads. We averaged less than 40mph (yes Peter-it was more like 30mph-you know because you drove) from Cape Outlook State Park to Coos Bay OR. We stopped to see the Seal Lion Cave just north of Florence OR. We wanted to drive half of the distance to Arcata CA where Alyssa lives (Peter's cousin Jenifer's daughter,1st cousin once removed to Peter if u are interested)which we estimated to be about 185 miles. We found Benneti's Italian restaurant in Coos Bay @ found a RV parking spot in the Coos Bay Visitor Information Center parking lot, just 2 blocks away. It was 6:30 pm. We had a wonderful dinner & decided at 8:30 or so to sleep in the trailer in the parking lot, rather than drive further to look for a camp ground!! The easiest parking job for Peter so far! The next morning after a very sound sleep, we had breakfast at Kozy Kitchen and stopped at the visitor center (which was now open). We picked up several flyers, 1 of which said "Trees of Mystery" mmm I thought that sounds interesting.

The road from Coos Bay was much better & faster, but less scenic. We stopped in Port Orford, "Quirky" was the description-I like quirky (it means interesting to me). RV parking, Yay. I pulled off to the side road. Knew that it was the right spot because 2 small dogs started to bark a greeting as soon as Peter got out of the trailer. Their "human" David came to see Peter being delighted by the dogs of course struck up a conversation--That is part of the fun of this trip!! He told us that we would go right by the "Trees of Mystery" And that we should go in because they had the best Indian museum in the state at the back of the gift shop--he was right it was amazing. We spent an hour & a half looking at pictures of Indians taken by Edward S. Curtis and many other thing including some amazing pottery, clothing&,;baskets, etc., There was 1 Curtis pic that was particularly haunting to me. I can still see his eyes.  When we got back on the road Alyssa texted me & asked if we would like to have dinner with she & her boyfriend Mark. They made a great enchillata with squash, mushrooms onions & of course salsa, sour cream &; Guac oh yummy.
Pictures to be added later and I will have a special section on Denzel Dana of Port Orford artist & shopkeeper.