08-07-09

I needed an oil change pretty bad. I found two places on the internet near by, but got shot down at both of them. One was busy and the other…well I gave up looking for the other one.
I headed through Portland and toward the coast. The drive is beautiful. Tall trees line both sides of the road, so thick at times that they overhang and make it seem like a tunnel. You are encouraged to turn on your headlights. The narrow, two lane highway winds it’s way through the woods, up and down mountains, over bridges and through tunnels.
After heading west for ever I changed direction and started south on Highway 101, the famous Pacific Coast Highway. As beautiful as the road I was just on, but now also hanging on the edge of a cliff above the ocean.
I drove it all day. I stopped for lunch in Lincoln City. I had crab cakes and fish tacos overlooking the ocean, then walked down to the beach.
I kept rolling south. After a few “bad” Wal Marts and exploring some Fred Meyers’ lots (I hear you can park at Fred Meyers) I stumbled upon the Mil Casino in Coos Bay. I’ve heard you can usually park in casino lots. There were hundreds of RVs scattered on a big gravel field. I pulled into the RV parking area and asked a couple, “Can we park for free here?” They said that they checked in at the official RV park and were told “You can park for free, just stay on the gravel“. So I did.
Please check out my PCH video.