Changing Of The Guard – Cape Blanco, OR
Believe it or not we’ve come to the end of September. The long days of summer are fast falling behind us and the first bites of winter are nipping at our heels. Mother Nature is in the midst of her fall changes and seems to teeter on the edge of indecision, and we’re starting to see it ever more in her wild moods right here at Cape Blanco. In the AM we might be baking in streaming sunshine and a gentle breeze, but by PM the first storm rolls in and dumps her wrath in full force, just to keep us on our toes. The wind flips-flops daily between her summer direction from the North and her winter howling from the South, never quite settling in a single pattern. Before long she’ll make her final decision, then the heavens will open and they won’t fully stop until next Spring….or at least that’s what we tell the tourists 🙂 This is the pattern of weather in the PNW and it’s a fascinating time of year to be here.
The end of the month also brings another change here at the Cape. Our buddies Technomadia are moving on to new adventures and we’ll miss being parked next to them. You see through the RV lifestyle you make lots of general connections with folks on the road, and then you make a couple of really deep ones. Sometimes these relationships are even more intense than they were in our “stix & brix” lives because of the simple fact that this lifestyle is transitory. You meet, you connect and then you move on…much the same way as general life, but just in a much more accelerated fashion. So in a way RVing encourages you to bypass most of the frivolous stuff and get right into the good stuff, time being of the essence so to speak.
I’ve always been the type of gal who enjoys going straight into the deeper stuff, so in this way RVing suits me very well. Through our 5 years on the road we’ve made many, many fun acquaintances and also a bunch of solid friends with whom we feel a deep sense of community. Who ever knew this was possible? We’re super sad to see our buddies move on, but also super happy we got to spend this month together. The good news is we know we’ll see them again and we’re also not left alone. We get to keep Clark & Elaine for another month which is going to be fun 🙂
The change of seasons also has our thoughts drawing back to the wide southwest desert. When we left the desert end of April this year we’d been boondocking continuously for ~5 months. I’m a bit of a desert rat so I was still in the groove of it, but after a particularly nasty (and windy) 90-degree day Paul was so fed up he declared “I never want to see the desert again!”. Not one to be discouraged by minor barriers I simply accepted his position and pondered the future. “Hmmm…wonder what we’re going to do next winter?”. I’d mostly forgotten about the comment (mostly) until the other day at the beach when hubby turned to me and, without any prompting whatsoever, proclaimed “You know, I’ve been dreaming about the desert again…..”.
Ah, the miracle of the changing seasons. The nip of cold and the fall storms have my lovely man thinking about relaxing days in the boonies and this makes me a happy gal. Somehow I knew he’d come around and here he was. Mother Nature not only pushes us to feel differently about the weather, but also changes our very soul, if we listen to her that is. Deep stuff, right? Either that or 5 months by the coast has sated our ocean hunger and opened up our desert bellies for another feeding. We’re dreaming about boondocking again and (even) have some extra-exciting plans which I’ll tell you about when/if we get around to them (how’s THAT for a bleeding tease, eh?)
So, here we are walking into October with the itch of change in our belly. We’ll be here at Cape Blanco for another month where we will likely see many more sunsets, walk many more trails and brave the very first of the winter storms (a new experience for us). Then, early November we’ll stop for a quick visit with our friends Elite Repair and Remodel in Eugene for a few fixes & upgrades…and finally…after all that we’ll embark on a gunshot route to our beloved winter digs.
Boonies, desert, wide-open spaces. Oh yes, I can already taste it 🙂
P.S. Thanks so much for all the comments in my last post. Just as I thought the RV ladies are inspirations for many of us, single and otherwise. Girl power, baby! It was fun to discover some new blogs & also hear some of your personal stories about getting on the road. I’m hoping to meet many more of you down the road.
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Well written story. I enjoyed it and the pics of that magical land.
I really, really want you guys to work on the cowboy this winter–talk him into spending more time on the coast in summer, volunteer, etc.????? :)) The realtor showed our place today but it was a no go.
We’re ready to work him baby! Hopefully we can share some Boondocking time this winter and give him the appropriate attention.
Nina
Great post Nina. That last picture is just fantastic. Surprised to hear your summer winds come from the north and winter ones from the south. That’s pretty much backwards from my original neck of the woods. I’m still dreaming of coming to see this gorgeous place you describe so fabulously. Your office view makes me swoon.
Yeah, the winds are interesting here. We’ve always been here with the winds prevailing from the north (during summer), but this past few weeks it’s been flip-flopping around and starting to show hints of the south. Pretty soon that’s the only way she’ll blow.
Nina
I SO enjoy your blog and the way you write!! The pictures are always fabulous.. great info always…. Love that you love MY Oregon Coast!! 🙂
Glad you enjoy the blog…and indeed we LOVE your coast 🙂
Nina
Old Man Autumn may have a few Nor’westers up his sleeve for you this month. After a particularly nasty (and windy) 30-degree day, Paul will be so fed up he will declare “I never want to see the coast again!” Til next year, anyway. Such is the fickle nature of the fulltime RVer.
You’ve it nailed Doug. I’m sure by the end of October we’ll be itching to get out of the winds & the never-ending rain….until next year…we are fickle customers indeed.
Nina
Me thinks you were in a “musing” mood. God I love that word. As always, great photos. That last one is unbelievable.
Yeah, I was feeling “deep” today. Can’t help it sometimes…
Nina
I believe you and Paul have far too many wonderful memories from the desert days to think a few windy days would blow those away for long:) The desert is in your blood!
Looking forward to hearing how November goes for you two along the coast.
We’ll get drawn back year after year, I’ve no doubt. I think this past winter was just about 1 month too long, but this winter we’re planning on some different stuff towards spring-time. If the weather allows us, that is!
Nina
Might see you guys in Quartzsite this January. Linda and I will stop in to see the Monaco iRV2 group. We camp with the Good Sam Hams further down the road on the right. Then it is off to Catalina Spa to wash away the desert dust and soak in the hot mineral spa. Wish we had some rain here in Southern Calif. I always enjoy a good rain in the MH without any leaks. deSanford
We probably won’t be joining the iRV2 group this year, but might be spending a few days in the vicinity. Don’t know yet. Quartzsite is always fun and tends to draw us back every year, whether or not we plan on it LOL.
I DO hope it rains for California. You guys are in desperate need.
Nina
I enjoy your writings so much and the pictures as well. You inspire Belinda and I to apply ourselves more and more. Yesterday we were accepted at the Fourty Mile Lighthouse in Michigan for next year! Thanks for your writings, it’s more powerful than you may know!
Oh how exciting!! I would love to hear how that volunteer job works out for you, so if you remember next year do report back. We have yet to see all the fabulous lighthouses in the Midwest.
Nina
My sister and her husband recently visited Oregon and northern California. I told her about Cape Blanco as they like to visit lighthouses, and if they happened to stop to ask if the volunteers that day were bloggers of wheeling it or technomadia. I’ve followed both of your blogs for almost a year now. They did make it—about an hour after the park closed for the day. My sister said when she stepped out of the car her hair blew every direction. She had long hair and her description of it flying around gave me a giggle. Must have been one of those days the wind was coming from the north and south. Visiting the Oregon Coast is near the top of our bucket list. Until then we’ll continue to live vicariously through yours and other bloggers. Thanks for all of the great reads. Love your blog.
Oh how interesting! Sorry we missed her, but sounds like she participated in the classic Cape Blanco hairstyle LOL.
Nina
Sounds like another month there will fix you all up for wanting the desert for sure. October can be quite a rock and roll month on the coast so look forward to reading more!
Indeed Oct could be a really interesting (and wild) month. I’ve no doubt we’ll be ready for some desert after the first few coastal storms.
Nina
Gorgeous sunset – it looks like Autumn 🙂 After the big storms, the desert is very green this year. Barring an early cold snap you should catch it in its very best dress! Excited to see how October shapes up there – your “commute” could get interesting!
That’s right…AZ, unlike CA next door has been getting more than its fair share of rain. I can only imagine how green it is right now.
Nina
Oh yes, so bittersweet to leave behind (at least temporarily) the friendships we forge in this lifestyle. We’ve made some enduring friendships this past 15 months of traveling full-time, some within just a day or two of shared adventures. It’s wonderful to meet up again and again as we roam!
I always find it amazing how quickly you meet (and click) with various folks on the road in this lifestyle. Within the first day or two you’ll make the connection and sometimes it happens even faster than that. We’ve got 5-year friends that started off with a chance meet at a campground.
Nina
It’s such a richly rewarding lifestyle, on so many levels. I hope we get to meet up with you two again. I love your philosophical musings. 🙂
*sniff* *sniff* Ditto, our friends… ditto! See you in the desert soon enough. Can’t wait!
Sniff, sniff too…
Nina
I live in Brookings in the south part of the Curry County coast. Welcome to our beautiful little corner of the world. I just randomly found you today while I was reading your post on LEDs. 🙂 One of our favorite places to camp is just around the Cape to the North. Floras Lake. Also known as Boice Cope County Park. Go check it out if you haven’t already. It’s a little more protected and a great place to learn to windsurf or kite.
Cheers for the tip. We’ve driven past the exit to that campground at least 40 times and I’ve always wondered what it was like. I’ll have to drive over and properly check it out sometime this month.
Nina
I can tell fall is in your air when not only when I see you spectacular sunset but the flowers…the flowers are gorgeous..but be careful…next I will be seeing birds 🙂
Hi Nina… A while back I posted that Frederika and I were going to be headed Cape Blanco way, and were looking forward to meeting you and Paul (and Chris and Cherie, darn it!). Well, after touring our hometowns in the Northwest, we left my family in Lincoln City and are now in Eugene, about to visit AM Solar tomorrow for a consultation and a third solar panel purchase. We expect to be headed towards Cape Blanco on Saturday, and are wondering if we will need a reservation there at the state park? (also hoping that this is a time that works for getting together with you guys…remember my threat to get all musical at you!) not sure if you can see our email or not; we are easily found on Facebook if you want to msg that way, too… Hope to see you soon!
Sure! We’ll be here. We’re working the afternoon shift at the lighthouse and will then be back at the rig in the late afternoon. I’ll touch base with you via email.
Nina
Nina,
Still hoping we can make it over there before you depart for warmer and dryer climates.
Don’t tell anyone, but some places on the Oregon Coast can be sunny and almost warm (well, in comparison to Central Oregon anyway) occasionally in mid-winter. That said, I don’t think I would enjoy scraping the moss out from between my toes and fingers during those weeks it does decide to rainnnnnnnnn.
Have fun.
Ah yes, those webbed feet out west 🙂 I’ve heard about those.
Nina
I admire your tenacity staying on the coast for Oct. I might be crazy thinking of exploring it in Nov. Getting chilly on the North Rim and although difficult to say goodbye to the canyon in two weeks I’m getting excited about a lower environment. The best about living mobile is the easy change in scenery.
May we meet off the road someday.
You never know what the weather will be like in Nov. Last winter was actually pretty mild here on the coast, and although there was lots of rain-storms there was also lots of sunny days. Locals told me they got some really warm 75-degree days in Jan. So, could still be great? We’ll see what this month brings anyway.
Nina
I would love to experience the OR coast in October. I look forward to hearing about new adventures as the weather turns towards fall. Glad to hear you are going to the desert again this winter. Hope to catch up to you two sometime soon.