General Boards > General Discussion
Route Recommendation
Richard Cooper:
I was at Crater Lake in Oregon a little over a week ago and afterwards went to Winchester Bay for a couple nights. I took 138 and 38 (or was it the other way around?) from I-5 to Reedsport. It was a beautiful seemingly newly paved road. Most enjoyable.
Now from Winchester Bay to Newport along the coastal highway 101 --- that's quite another story. It was not a good road. Worst thing is that before and after Florence they were in the middle of paving it. No one was working on the roads last week, but they had laid down a partial here and there splattering of asphalt. It was great for a car, but not the wheelbase of my coach and I was fighting to hold onto the steering wheel the whole way as it was uneven. Given that aspect of the road being annoying and the seemingly narrow road, but beautiful side views of the ocean distractions, it was not all that enjoyable for me. Then the worst was a tunnel somewhere after Florence. The signs on the tunnel said 11'6" on the side and 14+' in the middle. I choose the middle and made a car move over. Fortunately I could see no one else particularly another big coach coming in from the other side. I sped up and got through it. I would have torn off the side of my coach had I stayed in my lane.
A lot of hairpin curves and turns on 101. Lots of traffic all whom wished you were not in their way. I managed ok, but would not go through that tunnel again.
My Rand McNally GPS for RV's was telling me all along the way to exit 101 and head to I-5, but I ignored it because there were all kinds of tractor trailer rigs and other big coaches coming my way and I figured I could get through there easier than they do. I even consulted my Mountain Guide map and it didn't warn me. I've never talked to anyone who warned not to take the 101 highway with the coach.
Richard Cooper:
--- Quote from: Jeff Watt ---Couple of questions for those in the know...
Also any recommendations where to stay in the Lincoln city, Newport area. may bite the bullet and stay at pacific shores and drive around in the toad. - so taking 20 across would the easiest. My thinking is it can't be worse than some routes in northern Canada or Alaska (or for traffic, not worse than s. Texas).
Jeff
--- End quote ---
I own 2 lots at Pacific Shores and both are offered for rent by the night direct from me. See my ads under "FOR RENT" in the list of forums here. I have lot 72 for $25 a night + electric and the lot I'm parked on for $48 + electric. The ads latter posts say which dates they are available. Read those.
Renting direct from the HOA will run $60 and $80 per night respectively + 10.5% tax. Obviously, my prices are a good value. Best part is you get to meet my dog Dusty! LOL :)
Joel Ashley:
I'm not sure I'd avoid Hwy 20; came that way a few years ago in the Beaver with no big issues. As I've said, all the Coast Range routes by necessity have to wind a bit due to following west-draining rivers. Decades ago we used to arise early in Clackamas and trailer our boat to Waldport to fish the Alsea tidewater for Chinook, following 34 along the Alsea to and from I-5 and Corvallis, but don't know if it now is any better than 20. Yes, 20 has had issues, but risky drivers can be anywhere, and they don't all relegate proper speed to any of these coast/valley highways, nor respect passing rules up in the hills and down the river valleys. 20 is the most direct route, and University personnel use it heavily due to the Marine Science Center and OSU research stations centered around Newport and the sea. It may as a result get more traffic than other east-west routes. Both traffic and campground use should both be lighter after Labor Day.
Yes, you could go 99W to 22 and then 18, which is a commonly used route from Portland to the central coast, and is a good road. But you'd have to know your route through Corvallis proper is a go, or detour to I-5 to 22 at Salem.
I've travelled 99E several times, and imagine 99W is similar - open farm country for the most part, two lane straight as an arrow, lightly travelled. They both connect with 20/34 easily. 99W comes in before town, since 20/34 kinda bypasses Corvallis to the south. But if you stay on 99W I think you take 3rd street through town, and I haven't been that way since college, long ago and far away. Not sure what bridge is being referred to, but then I haven't approached Corvallis from the south; you might check online maps or a satellite view to double-check the 20/34/99W intersection for how you get west-bound - the map I'm looking at doesn't show a flow-through ramp in that direction like there is eastbound, but it might be a lighted intersection. If it was me, I'd just hit 20/34 west off 99W at Corvallis, via 99W out of Eugene (via 126 from Springfield), save time and fuel, and get 'r dun. One caution, since we visit Lee's siblings in Springfield and Eugene regularly - do your manuevering through 126 and Eugene at some other time than rush hour. 126 is a very good route to the coast as an option, but why end up going north on 101 to Newport if you plan on coming back down - might as well see the Valley country with your time.
After Labor Day, the crowds are back in school, and it should be easy to drop in on any State Park Campground. South Beach and Beverly Beach at Newport are expansive, well kept, less spendy than Pacific Shores, and close to the beach and a lighthouse or two, as well as all that Newport has to offer. That said, if Richard's spot is available, it would be a great option. A toad trip to Lincoln City is nice, and would include the interesting Depoe Bay.
Of the points south I could pick many we've enjoyed in our combined 115 years of Oregon citizenship, but Bandon is something special to us. There used to be a cheese factory there that far outshone anything at Tillamook, but darned if the Tillamook bunch didn't buy it out and close it. Tillamook still makes a "Bandon" cheddar, but it's not quite the same, and we miss all the other fabulous cheeses no longer made at Bandon. We used to pig out in their sampling store. Don't miss Face Rock or the mouth of the Coquille River, and the lighthouse tour on the north jetty. It is next to a super state park you can camp in, Bullard's Beach. Take a tour of a cranberry "farm" - Bandon is famous for growers that declared independence from Ocean Spray's control. There are several RV park options around Bandon, a couple "snug" ones in the town proper, but we like Robins Nest RV Park a little bit south of town on the west side of 101 - check out their website at www.robinsnestrv.com. It's a small park, simply laid out, but with great owners who also were rockhounds with an onsite rock shop... that is unless things have changed since we were last there a few years ago. Don't miss the shopping and restaurants in old town Bandon, nor the quaint but mesmerizing museum along 101 midtown.
Next we like relaxing at Cape Blanco State Park, north of Port Orford. There are plenty of spots for large RVs, mostly under large fir and cedar trees. And there is a great old pioneer family home and a lighthouse on site - both offer guided tours. The port dock at Port Orford makes an interesting hour or two. You are at the most western point of the Continental United States at Cape Blanco. I got a kick out of hiking to the mouth of the Sixes River next to the State Park.
Then you're off to Gold Beach and the rocket sleds! Afterwards plan a night or two at Harris Beach in the nifty town of Brookings, Easter Lily growing capital of the world I think, and a mild-climated good place to retire.
Joel
Jeff Watt:
Thanks Joel and Richard.
Joel, your description and recomendatins are appreciated. Seems like lots to see and so little time, although once on t coast it doesn't look too far between places (especially in the toad).
Richard, the problem is the dates as I won't be at the Newport area until September 19 or so and you're not booking that far into september - very good offer compared to the standard rates.
Hope to see everyone at BAK in a few weeks.
Jeff
Roy Warren Co-Admin:
Jeff,
We are on lot 20 at Pacific Shores and will rent to you for $25 per night if you would like to come here. Just contact me on our e-mail which is listed in the directory. Make sure you subject the line so either Vicki or I will read the message. You can use either e-mail.
Roy Warren
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