May 2007

It rained last night but no rain this morning as we pack up (again) and head up the Oregon coast. It's overcast but the drive is still scenic. We stop at several lookouts, including one where we eat lunch and Joe builds yet another dam.

As we drive through the one town, there are signs everywhere saying 'Our Fallen Hero, Michael Vaughn, 4-23-07'. A few days ago when we were driving in northern California, there were people with flags and signs on many of the overpasses....obviously waiting for a motorcade of a fallen soldier. Two soldiers memorialized, within a week...very sad.

We keep driving north and start passing lots and lots and lots of dairy cows. We are in serious dairy country. We pass a high school and their nickname is the Cheesemakers:

We take a break from looking at scenery and stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory and their free tour. We watch them make cheddar cheese and package it, and then taste their free samples. Their aged sharp cheddar tasted very good so we bought two packages and then headed to their ice cream bar. They have 37 different flavors, so of course Jere gets vanilla and chocolate...."I like vanilla and chocolate". I had their Udderly Delicious Chocolate Cow...very very good.

We continue our drive up the coast

and then stop at Cannon Beach for the night. It's a nice park and we use their indoor pool before having a late dinner.