Saturday, June 18

Awoke this morning to rain.  Not too surprised, as we are getting closer to Washington, where it rains all the time, or so I hear.  We had a small breakfast, gathered everything up and left the campground around 9AM.  Our first stop was at Depoe Bay.

This was the entrance to their harbor.  As you can see, it opens up to the Pacific Ocean and is very narrow.  For a reference, that white object on the right bank is a sea lion.   

It opens up into a nice harbor on the other side of the bridge.  Even though it was raining, it looked as if the fishing was pretty good.

The area is also known for its whale watching.  They have a visitor center dedicated to the spotting and recording of them.  Even though it was cloudy and rainy while we were there, we both were able to spot one spouting at the edge of the rocks.  The town itself was a pretty neat looking place.  Part tourist stores and part real fishing village.

We traveled from there on to Tillamook in some heavy rain at times.  Found a nice rv park near town with all amenities for $26.00.  Since it was still raining we decided to visit an air museum we had seen advertised.  I found the history of the building and its purpose to be as interesting as the aircraft inside it.

The building was a blimp hanger.  One of two build in 1942 in Tillamook, and one of 17 built around the country at that time.  There was even one in Houma, LA.

The building is over 1000 feet long and is entirely constructed of wood.  There is over 2 million board feet of lumber in this one hanger.

There was even a hot air balloon festival held "inside" the hanger in the 1990's.  It is now filled with many great planes.  There were also some helicopters and other things associated with flight.  Just a few pictures.

After the air museum we went on to the Tillamook Cheese factory.

  They are known throughout the Northwest as the premier cheese.  We enjoy it whenever we can find it in our travels.  Though it was Saturday and the production line wasn't running, the place was like Disneyworld.  People everywhere, enjoying the tour, sampling cheese, and eating ice cream.  We made a few purchases and moved on to quieter places.

This is Cape Meares, and the Cape Meares lighthouse.  Probably the last lighthouse we will see.  It was still raining at times and kind of dreary.  Saw this sign across the parking lot that said Octopus Tree, 1/10 mile!  Had to go see what it was. It was the last stop for the day before heading back to the Casita for the evening.  Still raining at 10PM.  Hope its clears by morning........................