This is our 7th year of Airstreaming in the Cloud. I am at a loss for words about this year regrading the impact that COVID 19 has had on the globe. The bright spot is that nature is oblivious and life goes on without thought. However it was quite the feat planning a trip with reservations cancelled, interpretive buildings and campgrounds closed and numerous businesses restricted in how they operated. It was apparent that one had to have a plan and reservations were a must which is always a challenge in order for us to travel specifically if we wanted to stay more than one night in one place. And it became a daily ritual of checking places to see when they were opening back up and also what was available. Our first night, Tuesday June 16th, was in Crescent City, a three hour drive from home. We managed to get one night at the Shoreline RV Park, which at that point was only taking reservations for a month’s stay or just for one night.
So nice to get a site on the bay side at Shoreline. We made it to camp just after a quick lunch stop north of Arcata.
Walking at low tide we were able to walk the beach to the south all the way to the harbor area. Shoreline is in the distance. Site 16
When I knew we were going up the Oregon Coast, I constantly checked campground sites, especially non-rv sites because that’s what we prefer. Those type of sites were not so much available but I was able to get two nights at Harris Beach SP. Brookings, the town located closest to Harris Beach, was very busy. We however chose to avoid all public spaces – so no downtown visits. We took our kayaks out on the Chetco River and had perfect conditions. We wanted to visit Alfred Loeb SP but it was closed and you couldn’t even walk through it, but did hike the Redwood Nature Trail
Originally had this site for 4 nights but wanted to move on further up the coast. The campground was packed and since it was our first real night in a campground, life felt normal again. Site 195
Even though you can’t see it, the wind was crazy at Harris Beach and the beach was busy!
So many fish seen from the kayak on the Chetco River.
We put the kayak in at Brookings Harbor and went out the bay just to look south, then up the river for a bit.
This trail contains one of the most northern native stands of the coast redwood.
The trail is about 2.6 miles and there is an elevation gain of 520 feet. Its an easy hike.
Our next drive was up the coast to Coos Bay. We had wanted to stay at Heceta Head CG but they were still closed when I was planning. Instead I was able to secure two nights at Bay Point Landing. We did have to campsite hop but that was okay. This private campground is full of rent-able Airstreams, and sweet looking modern cabins. It was a busy place with clam digging, bike riding, lots of gatherings and even a wedding. On Saturday we went into Coos Bay and looked around. During those two days the weather was cool, overcast and at times sprinkles could be felt.
Site 14 with the bay view.
Watching the tide, clam diggers and ships was a highlight.
There is a nice self guided hike around downtown known as Marshfield.
Site 90 with a woods view.
Leaving on Sunday, the 21 of June we headed up to Sea Perch RV park north of Heceta Head. This is quite the perfect little camp spot for RV’s. We had two nights here, also campsite hoping and the weather was perfect. The tide was very low our first morning and the pools were beyond fabulous. Our views both nights were great and we also decided to just stay put and not drive anywhere.
Campsite 4 has the path right beside it to the beach. You can’t get any closer to the water!
Nothing better than drinking wine, watching kites fly and looking for whales.
It was a minus tide starting at 7:30 am, and one could walk so far out!
Sooooo many great starfish, barnacles, and sea anemones!
Loved looking at all the textures and patterns.
Second day and we stayed in our site all day #13.
After keeping tabs on Heceta Head CG – they finally opened! We headed there hoping for a site. When we arrived it was 11 am and there were probably 6 sites non -reserved still available. By 2 pm all the sites were full. Everyone was finally starting to venture out.
Site #1 was sunny and very visible to everyone as its the first site and right by the trail head up to Cape Perpetua Lookout.
Hiking from the campground out to the look at the Marine Garden area.
Spouting Horn area
Our son Ian had told us about the Alsea Falls area and as I was looking for reservations it opened up that morning by chance and I was able to secure two nights. Those reservations were the last ones I made for the trip- thinking by that time we would wing it or go home.
The ranger in charge greeted us saying the campground had just opened that morning and he was super excited to see us!
The Ghost plant – steals chlorophyll from other plants!
Alsea Falls is a 20 foot falls within an easy hike of the campground. It gets a lot of traffic but since the area was closed it was empty.
We had our only campfire of the summer due impart from our neighbors giving us their wood when they left. We travel with a propane campfire unit.
Green Peaks waterfall is 60 feet. We hiked from the campground 4.2 miles and it was a gorgeous round trip hike. Hardly anyone on the trail.
We wanted to be home by July 1st, and since it was a Friday we knew we needed to find a place early. We had stopped in Waldport on the way up to Alsea Falls and decided to check out McKinley’s RV Park. Nothing was available in the hook up area which was fine with us and ended up finding a nice spot in the dry sites area on Alsea River. The area is fun to explore and we stayed two nights knowing Saturday night would be worse finding a spot. We walked around the little harbor, got take out for lunch and dinner and even picked up some fireworks to bring home.
North bay of the Alsea River looking up the river.
We were in site 19 for two nights. It rained a tiny bit during Saturday night.
Kayaking on the Alsea river looking west.
Got up close to this boat stranded in the river.
Leaving Sunday we headed south and then east thinking that we could get to Crater Lake but then realized we should head for home as it was getting close to the 4th of July and everyone would be out and about. I found a cute little campground called Elkton RV that we could stay in for one night. It was perfect and we had quite the view of the Umpqua River. And the drive was beautiful. We packed up Monday morning and headed home, and thought about how lucky we had been to take this trip.
Elkton RV Park is cute, but I can imagine it would be a bit packed normally.
