February 28 - March 3, 2024
Anticipating a week full of rain, we packed up and winded our way towards Gold Beach and Port Orford. When possible, we choose not to travel on totally gray days. In this case, we decided to make progress and head a little further to Bandon. We missed the blue waters on this part of the scenic drive, but both small towns we passed were basically "closed" in their off season, so it was okay we didn't stop overnight. We almost blew away in front of Battle Rock City Park...it was a gorgeous view, but so damn COLD!
Joel almost stayed in the county jail in Port Orford until I rescued him (only the two of us know what he did to get here).
When we arrived in Bandon, we pulled into the sexy, parking-lot style Bandon RV Park. We deliberated...do we go for nicer, or more convenient? Knowing we'd be riding out a few wet days, we chose the latter and backed in to site 21 - paved, not private - with a misplaced green plastic table against the wood gate in the back and odd, confused reception attendant at the front desk. At least this business is just off Hwy 101 and walkable to amenities. Funny thing is we asked to be distanced from the street and ended up sardined between two motorhomes. Probably a good thing because Max might've tipped otherwise - intermittent & howling gusty winds ruled this visit.
One full row of permanent RVers occupies the park - (the rest of the lot was mostly empty) - The next door neighbor couple popped out to investigate and say hello when we arrived. That was our last interaction. It's that way with quite a few grounds. For the most part (to date), people keep to themselves and bonfires aren't blaring in the evenings.
The rain subsided, so we layered and walked to the Historic Wilson's Market & Deli (1938) around the corner, where Josh greeted us with a smile and burrito sales pitch - he and his crew are running a friendly town place - even their motto is "Come in as a Customer, Leave as a Friend." Joel left with a sample of their homemade beef jerky.
From there, we strolled a couple of blocks into the quaint historic downtown area. Being off-season lot of the stores were closed, but among the standard waterside restaurants, boutiques and shops (the usual) - we found the one and only Cranberry Sweets. This old school candy store (1962) is like something you'd experience in a Hallmark movie - loads of free samples (of almost everything - woohoo), the little older lady at the counter, and regulars popping in to grab their favorites. We exited with a bag full of jelly bites, cinnamon popcorn and randomly-colored taffy pieces. One of the many reasons we're leaving LA is because places like this really do still exist. It's a MUST STOP SPOT!
Despite dessert before dinner, we meandered on to the Wheelhouse Restaurant on Chicago Ave. Nice spot facing the water (the upstairs bar/lounge area has a better view and also serves supper). Great service and good eats. I ordered their delicious dungeness crab sauté and Joel loved his flat iron steak. They also have Becks NA - Joel enjoyed his wine. Before we knew it, the lovely couple (Marcie and Dave from Bainbridge, WA) sitting at the next table over joined us and we shared stories till closing time. They called later that eve to invite us for breakfast the following morning. We got a second date!
Birthdays rock, but especially when you're a leap year baby and the 29th appears on the calendar! This one did not disappoint. Besides being a teen again, I had the pleasure of hearing from family and friends, engaging in fun texts and opening a few really meaningful cards and gifts.
Our new lovely friends kindly picked us up early in the rain (with their truck and Tiller the adorable + well-mannered cocker spaniel). We chatted through another scrumptious meal at The Station Restaurant. It's a cherry red diner-like restaurant that had a hodgepodge menu and reminded us of a clean Bob's Big Boy without the hamburger, chili and old greasy grill smell. Seafood omelette was awesome. Not too rich with real bay shrimp and crab pieces! Joel's pancakes were loaded with fresh blueberries (not pictured)!
Soon, it was back to the truck to visit the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. It was freezing and windy, but we wanted to check out the historic lodge and lush, green grounds anyway. Could not believe how many bundled people were roughing it - most certainly knowing not one shot would actually be accurate in this weather. Brrrr! Shortly after this excursion, we hugged our new friends goodbye - ran a couple of grocery errands, microwaved veggie lasagna and watched Role Play on Max.
The wind was insane on night two. The rain and hail turned on exactly the way it turned off. Sudden bursts of loudly pelting rain, hail and heavy gusty winds...then total silence. Repeatedly. I know because I slept very little. Joel turned once. Lucky him.
We stayed one more night and made the best of another cold soggy, blustery day in Max - reorganized the kitchen area, researched next stopping point options, synced photos, caught up on admin and listened to rolling afternoon thunder. Pretty productive for a tucked away travel day.
Ready to abandon Bandon...we forged on the next morning to Winchester Bay Yay!
In all fairness, Bandon probably did not receive the props it deserves - we'll have to return to enjoy happier weather and the famed beach.
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