Author: Lisa

Yesterday was a different kind of day. After leaving Blue Heron French Cheese Co., Nanine and I headed to the Keizer Elks. Although the sign said “full,” I called the camphost. Lo and behold, two spots were available. Yay! My friend Katelyn, her partner Chris, and their dog Indie joined us for “Saturday at the Elks!” After walking our various dogs, we left Viza and Bossa in their respective second homes and relaxed in the gazebo for snacks and wine. Later, we went into the Elks for pool and shuffle board – and drinks, of course! So much fun! Katelyn and I took students to Morocco and Spain in 2017 – an adventure that we will never forget and that has cemented a forever friendship.

Indie (being camera-shy), Chris, Katelyn, Me, Nanine.

What’s this???

A pool shark I am not!

The drinks did not help my shuffleboard game.

When I think of Tillamook, I think of cheese.  So, when looking for a place to stay in Tillamook, Nanine – also a cheese fan – and I decided to stay at a Harvest Host, Blue Heron French Cheese Co.  Yes, they have cheese.  And wine.  And kitsch.  And pretzels.  Really, they have a full deli, along with lots of gifts items – and llamas, goats, donkeys, chickens, and peacocks!  For those familiar with San Luis Obispo, this place is a cross between Avila Barn and Apple Farm. 

Our drive up the coast today from Florence to Tillamook was a bit disappointing.  The weather was gray and misty, not a big surprise to anyone familiar with Pacific Northwest weather, eh?!  Regardless, the scenery was beautiful even if not conducive to a nice hike to break up the drive.  Still, we arrived in time for lunch – and I finished The Peach Rebellion by Wendelin Van Draanen, an excellent young adult historical fiction with themes of classicism, feminism, and friendship.

Blue Heron French Cheese Co. participates in the Harvest Host program.  This organization matches hosts with self-contained RV travelers.  Hosts are wineries, distilleries, farms, etc., with the space for RVs.  Guests don’t pay for the spot, although they are requested to spend a minimum of $20 at the establishment.  I’ve stayed at several Harvest Hosts – and have loved most of them!  My favorite was in Canada over Labor Day weekend, 2021, at the Crump Family Farm.  They were new hosts and had three vehicles – totaling five guests – staying with them.  While I was sitting in Addie finishing dinner, Mr. Crump knocked on my door – completely surprising me!  He said that since this was the first time they had so many guests, they were inviting all of us to a campfire.  For the next three hours, the seven of us sat around the fire sharing stories.

That was only one of many terrific Harvest Host experiences!

Below are a few photos from Blue Heron French Cheese Co., tonight’s host.

First, in Addie, enjoying the drive up the coast.

Is your Mama a llama?!

Nanine pumicing our sticky table with salt!

Beautiful gardens filled with chickens and peacocks!

Another view of the gardens. There are SEVERAL RVs parked in the outer edges of the parking lot – all staying for free under the Harvest Host program.

Last year on my big trip, I spent a couple of nights at Washburn State Park in Florence, OR.  When Nanine and I read about the Florence Elks Lodge having an AMAZING RV park, we decided to spend three nights at the Elks in Florence.  What a terrific decision!  The RV park, which is much more similar to a state park than a typical Elks RV parking lot, has large spaces, lots of green, electrical and water hookups, dump stations, and very friendly people.  Furthermore with two full days to hike, we explored the Darlingtonia Natural Site and the dunes without driving and an amazing forest hike a few miles north.

The Elks… Although I joined over eight years ago, I haven’t really done anything with them other than paying my dues.  The philanthropic contributions of the Elks inspire me.  However, I never felt super-comfortable hanging out at the lodge.  I had heard that many people join the Elks due to their support of those that travel in RVs.  After I bought Addie, I began to consider this benefit of being an Elk.  I’ve stayed at a few Elks in my travels, for example Goleta and Twenty-Nine Palms.  When Nanine and I met up at the Napa Elks last month to plan this trip, we decided to plan it around staying, when we could, at Elks lodges.  (Nanine is also an Elk.)  The lodge in Redding was our first stop, and we were very impressed.  The Florence Elks RV park is AMAZING!  Our next stop will be at the Keizer Elks – hopefully, that’ll be as good as the others on this trip!

Another organization offering safe places to stay is Harvest Hosts.  I stayed at several during my big trip.  On this trip, we’ll be visiting three Harvest Hosts – EdenVale Winery (Medford), Blue Heron French Cheese Co. (Tillamook), and Melrose Vineyard (Roseburg).  I’ll write more about Harvest Hosts in my next post!  In the meantime, here are my favorite photos from Florence.

Roosevelt elk on the way to Florence.

Darlingtonia California, cobra-like plants found in the bog areas of Northern California and Southwestern Oregon. They flower in May or June with hanging blooms of yellow and red and produce up to a dozen leaves per plant. Insectrs are lured into the leaf opening uder the hood by necrtar on the colorful petal-like appendages and the edges of the opening.

Wild rhododendrons everywhere!

Dunes hike.

I love the beauty of the forest.

Rhododendrons!

Anyone know the name of this mushroom/fungus?

Rhody!

Forest hike.

Amazing forest growth!

Following a wonderful night’s sleep at the Elks in Redding – a place we will return to at the end of our adventure – Nanine and I packed up our respective rigs and drove to Spring Hill Trail near Mt. Shasta City.  The trail provided fabulous views of Mt. Shasta along with a nice climb and well-maintained trail.

Next, after getting gas across the border in Oregon, which saved about $0.40/gallon, we continued driving until arriving at our Harvest Host for this evening, EdenVale Winery.  This winery was established in 1999 on the site of the first Pear Tree orchard, founded by Joseph Stewart in 1885.  Our host, Aaron, after directing us where to park our rigs, gave us a bit of background on the winery and then directed us to the tasting room for our tasting.  I admit:  the wines are…okay… I was hoping for some stronger flavors… Perhaps at the other Harvest Host winery we’ll be visiting later…?

Time to rest a bit as there is a major meteor shower tonight.  Perhaps I’ll be able to stay awake long enough to see it!  And perhaps the sky will clear enough to see some falling stars…

Mt. Shasta playing hide-and-seek with the clouds.

Moi photographing Mt. Shasta 🙂

Beautiful old barn at EdenVale Winery!

Nanine and Bossa enjoying the winery’s scenery.

Addie and her buddy!

Wine tasting with a view!

A few months ago, my friend Nanine and I talked about taking her new Class A RV to Alaska… She was thinking about heading up there for a few months, and I would drive up with her in her rig, explore a bit, and fly home.  Through several iterations and due to a few factors, including sky high gas prices, our adventure evolved into a ten-day trip up to Oregon.  Flexibility, as I’m learning!, is key to a wonderful life – and a fun retirement!
Our first stop was supposed to be the Elks Lodge in Red Bluff.  Nanine arrived about fifteen minutes before I did.  Let’s just say, she was not impressed!  Instead, we continued up about 30 miles to the Elks Lodge in Redding.  What a surprise!  Not only is the lodge active and beautiful, it’s located on the Sacramento River with a phenomenal river trail and the awesome Sundial Bridge just a short walk away!  With her dog Bossa and Joel’s dog Viza, Nanine and I decided to spend two rather than one night here, giving us time to walk and explore.  Here are a few of the cool sights from Redding.