Why I Love Tillamook County

Today Mike and I went for a drive in the truck.  As you know, dogs love trucks.  It was loaded up with a bunch of stuff Mike collected when they remodeled The Craftsman B&B.  As it turns out, he saved too much.  He save a bathroom vanity thinking he could use it as storage in the cellar.  Drawers don't work so well for the items we have stored down there so out it went to clear up some space.  Also collected was a massive cabinet Mike got when Wy'east / Arcentia moved from John's Landing to Milwaukie.  It didn't look that big when it was in a room with 18' high ceilings.  So after a e-mail to see if anyone wanted it, Mike stripped the hardware and in to the truck it went.  An old door and some luaun painted pink went as well.

We drove up the coast, through the fog, before heading inland.  The hotter it gets in the valley, the foggier it gets here on the coast.  Today 94º was forecasted for Portland, us here in Pacific City it's 65º.  So as we head inland it got a little warmer.  We drove past Whalen Island shroud in fog and the tide was in.  This is Mike's favorite spot on the coast.  He likes tidal flats, birds come and go depending on the tide.  The landscape changes every 11 hours or so.

Heading through the forest to the pasture land for Tillamook's dairy cows.  We turned off highway 101 on a little back road to the County Transfer Station.  Belted cow alert! (fixed link)  Mike put the wood in the recycle bin as I watched all the gulls.  They were very noisy.

As we try to be as green as possible, I knew there would be other stops.  When we make trips out of Pacific City, we combine many tasks, to save fuel and our carbon footprint.  Safeway was next.  I had to stay in the truck for this stop.  Mike ran in and got what he needed for our guests this weekend.  He wasn't long, I watched two guys eat their lunch standing next to motorcycles, one had a side car.  I'd like to go for a ride in a side car, as long as there is enough room for me to lay down and take a nap.

Next stop was lunch for Mike.  He got his usual and lucky for me, french fries.  I get to eat the "bagglers."

Out of Tillamook we saw the herd of elk taking it easy near the Air Museum.  Saw more cows and hanging out in his favorite spot, an Oregon State Police officer in a Suburban, their tricky.  So long to the sunshine for the day as we head back along the coast.  Windows rolled up, it's chilly.  Back home, Mike is working on signs for Oktoberfest this weekend.  

So, why do I love Tillamook County?  The drive to Tillamook says it all, coastal landscape, waves, fog and cool temprature.  Forrest drive and views.  Pastures where the cows are hard at work making the milk to make my favorite snack, cheese.  Elk inland where it gets a bit warmer and sunshine.  We have it all, just a 30 minute drive is all it takes to make you want to stay forever.  All I have to say now is, when's dinner?