Wegs take road trip to Oregon

Hans and Linda Weg visited a couple of lighthouses and several beaches while in Oregon.

This time Hans and Linda Weg were off to Newport, Oregon and a timeshare on Yaquina Bay called the Embarcadero.

Their 3rd floor loft had breathtaking views of the bay and bridge, as well as nearby pine trees with 8 to 10 blue heron nests, each with two to three baby herons. They also could watch two tall ships in the bay shooting cannons at each other “pirate style.”

During their seven-day stay, they visited the Yaquina Head Natural Area and Lighthouse and the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, along with numerous beaches.

They also took a few side excursions, including the Tillamok Cheese Factory.

Since Newport is the Dungeness Crab Capital of the World, they tried out many crab dishes and crab sandwiches, and also enjoyed clam chowder at six different restaurants.

On one of the days they drove 60 miles north to Tillamook, Oregon, where they visited the Blue Heron Cheese Company and the Tillamook Cheese Factory. Hans says it was “awesome” to watch how they make cheese, with huge blocks moving along conveyor belts.

They enjoyed tasting cheese samples and also tried the Tillamook ice cream, “which was nothing like we ever tasted before, real delicious,” says Hans.

On their way back to Newport, they stopped for a buffet and gambling at the Chinook Winds Casino, walking away $325 richer than when they went in.

Another day they toured the Rogue Brewing Co. where they “had a great lunch and tasted really good beer.” They bought a case. “The Oregon Coast is so different from the California Coast,” says Hans. “The last time we were there was in 1981.”

On their way up to Oregon they stopped at Lake Shasta and Mount Shasta. On their way home, they took Hwy. 101 all the way, stopping at the “Trees of Mystery” and taking the 33-mile drive through the “Avenue of the Giants” Redwoods.

They spent the night in Willits where, in 1977 and again in 1981, they went on the Skunk Train, which goes through the forest to Fort Bragg, a trip their kids still remember. Their final day they drove over San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and spent some time visiting and eating at Fisherman’s Wharf and Boudin’s Sourdough Bakery before heading home.