Andy-
It's been awhile since we've traveled 38, and it was heading west out of Drain, but I don't recall it being a problem in our 37' Beaver and toad. Any of the state highways that pass through the Coast Range are decent, but be aware they almost all do a lot of curves in those sections that follow rivers to the sea. That's just something we have to accept if we want to get to the ocean. I always take the yellow curve-ahead speed signs to heart when in the coach, as the suggested speed is just about right for comfortable turn negotiation. Unfortunately, everyone behind you in a car will wish you weren't in front of them because they all negotiate curves 15 mph faster than the sign suggests, but that's just tough. The wife gets mad cuz I constantly look for pulloffs big enough where I can let the Speedy Gonzales' go by, but they make me nervous and I'd rather one of the idiots not try passing on a blind curve where I might not have maneuverability and I can see oncoming traffic they can't.
I might suggest just staying on 99W south out of McMinnville, and shun the freeway for a more leisurely drive through the Willamette Valley farm country all the way to Junction City. I don't remember specifics of driving on 36 to Mapleton in a coach, but I think we did some years ago. 126 out of Eugene is a much-used route and we've trekked it many times, no problem, but as I said, Coast Range river sections almost all do at least a few miles of winding.
As Pacific Pride members, we've refueled at their easy-access Reedsport facility many times, and it's handy to the Florence area dunes and lakes and Winchester Bay's great RV park and locale. Wish we were going too, as we enjoy the towns, the Dunes, and the lakes, Tenmile, Tahkenitch, and Siltcoos. Osprey Resort at Lakeside is a nice RV park. We almost bought property on Tenmile once, and now wish we had.
Another option is of course west out of McMinnville on 18 straight to the coast. 101 is certainly more scenic than I-5! The tourists let up a bit after Labor Day since the kids mostly have to be back in school a day or two after. Before then, and on Indian Summer weekends, it can be hairy getting into a park. The Oregon Coast State Parks with camping are very nice and affordable, but get in early or make reservations. Lee and I especially enjoy the Coast (or anywhere) in the Fall.
For those going to BAC(k), I heartily recommend trying to get over to Gold Beach on the southern Oregon coast after the rally, and getting some seats aboard one of Jerry's jet boats. We stay at the RV park next to the beach and airport and they shuttle us the short trip to the dock in the morning, or you could walk easy enough, or drive the toad. There are other jet boat (originally mail boat) companies and RV park options as you prefer, but we haven't tried them. I've done Jerry's several times, including when I was a kid in the '50's. It's even more fun nowdays, with bigger boats and a huge bank of engines to propel them. It is great fun. You pass fisherman after salmon, and may see some caught (we saw several), and there are deer, bear, bald eagles, and other wildlife aplenty. On the way upstream out of tidewater the captain stops midriver just downstream of a bridge and their photographer takes photos of everyone in the boat. You can purchase copies in their store across the parking lot when you get back from your sojourn. The photo of the two of us in 2007 hangs on a wall in our Beaver.
There are jet boat companies operating upstream on the Rogue out of Grants Pass, but we've never used them, the water is lower there in the fall, and Gold Beach to me offers more to see and do.
There are options as to how far upstream you want to go, albeit limited by time of year and water flow in the Rogue River, and a couple of choices to eat lunch at Agness; we prefer the country-home style meal at the old homestead on the north side of the river. In the past, a day or two after the boat trip, we'd take the coach upriver along the south road to the RV park on the bluff overlooking the Rogue and the mouth of the Illinois River, and stay a day or two there. In our old Pace Arrow, we once found a primitive park along that road where we actually drove out on the rocky beach and camped a few feet from the Rogue, all by ourselves. I doubt our Beaver could maneuver through the trees and rough road and cobble rock like the gas coach did... bummer.
The jet boats might be a fun option for a Camping Circle following the BAC(k)
, and if we get such a CC note from Bill S., don't be surprised if Lee and I don't shake out the coach's cobwebs and come on down! We hoped on getting Monty Rae on the road once this year at least, with Fall our best choice.
Sorry Andy; I get carried away. This is probably TMI (too much information). You ask a question on the Forum, and sometimes there is either no answer at all, or some dope rambles on forever
Joel
