Monday, April 29, 2013

Molly, from Desert Diva to Beach Babe

From Desert Diva to Beach Babe

If you read our last blog posting you are no doubt wondering what ocean is connected to New Mexico. Two things I wrote in that blog entry were: “As full time RVers our plans are cast in Jell-O at best.” and “We are thinking about spending September in Bandon, Oregon (we really like that town)”. During each of our visits to Bandon we have talked about how nice it would be to have a summer place in Bandon. Each year we have looked at one or two places but nothing met our needs. As we waited out the strong winds in Benson I saw two properties on the online MLS Listings that looked like they might work for us. So, we decided to go back to Bandon and the beautiful Oregon coast.

Our trip to Bandon was blessedly uneventful. We had a break in the winds for our 3 day journey across the desert. A new cold front started coming in as we reached Bakersfield. Our big truck handles the wind fine for driving, BUT 2 days of headwinds to our stop in Fortuna, California really kills our already no-that-good-fuel mileage.

We stayed in Fortuna for couple of days as the strongest winds of the front came though the area. During each of our trips to or from Oregon the past few years, we always stop in Fortuna for a day or 2 because it is the home of the Eel River Brewing Company's Taproom and Grill. This is one of the the very best Brew Pubs we have come across in our travels. They have both very good food and very good beer. With 14 all organic beers on tap.

2002-12-08 12.00.00-24

Eel River Brewing Company’s logo and motto.

The roads along the coast are pretty much deserted this time of year, so it is usually a relaxing and very pretty trip. The day we left Fortuna it was dead calm, but just a few miles down the road and the strong headwind was back. It makes for bad mileage, however, the 200 mile trip to Bandon had great views.

Our beloved Raider loved running on sandy beaches, he was the rare Golden Retriever that was afraid of water. When we still had a house he would refuse to go outside if he heard the sprinklers running. We were anxious to take our Arizona girl Molly to the beach to see how she would handle the water. Oregon has the most dog friendly beaches anywhere. With the exception of beaches that have endangered species (like the Western Snow Plovers). Pretty much all other beach allows dogs off leash.

Molly walking with Dad at Face Rock Park in Bandon, OR

Molly and Dad at Coquille Point Bandon, Oregon before going down to the beach.

It turns out that Molly LOVES running on the beach and LOVES running in the surf!

Molly the Sunbather

Like all true Beach Babes after a run along the beach she has to lay out in the sun to work on her golden tan.

As it turned out neither of the houses we came to see or a few others that the agent showed us worked out for us. Mostly because they had too much land and were too thickly forested. We are looking for a small very low maintenance place, not too far from town and hopefully close to one of the beaches.

We have decided (for now) to stay awhile in Bandon to see what other properties might come on the market as the summer season starts.

Since we are going to be in the area for awhile I have volunteered to return to the Cape Blanco Lighthouse a day or 2 a week to give tours.

11 comments:

  1. Molly looks soooo happy on the beach! Tell Greg Ryder hi for us when you see him & have some fish & chips at the Crazy Norwegian for us!

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  2. Oh Molly you are absolutely the most gorgeous Beach Babe in the entire USofA!!
    Raider is surely smiling down on you as you carry on the wonderful legacy he left for you.
    I just loved how you took to the water like a duck and the sun makes your beautiful furs sparkle.
    Lots of fun in store for you and the two leggers this summer...I wish we were there with you.
    Lots of Hugs Madi your BFFF and Mom
    PS good job on the Post Mr. Grant!!!

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  3. PS did I mention I love your happy curly tail too. Mom calls that a question mark tail
    Hugs madi

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  4. A beach babe indeed! Love the pics!

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  5. Molly looks quite at home on the beach! Great photos of her...she looks so happy! And I am sure you were smiling from ear to ear as well watching her play!

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  6. First time commenting on your blog. We are full-timers from Oregon who still return every summer because we think it's one of the most beautiful places in the country--especially in the summer. Our previous two dogs were mother and son Goldens. Seeing photos of your Molly loving the beach brought back sweet memories. Good luck on the house hunting.

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  7. one day Molly and Tucker will be chasing each other down the beach!!
    good luck with the house-hunting..the right place will come along when you least expect it.

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  8. It is so heart warming to see Molly enjoying herself!

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  9. Molly looks very happy.
    Are you looking for a house, or property to park the rig?

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  10. Love the pictures of Molly on the beach, she is pure joy!!! Thank you for popping by last week with birthday wishes for Kip and Casper :-)

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