Oregon

I crossed the Columbia River on Highway 101 south and entered Oregon. The 101 in Washington had passed through relatively unpopulated temperate forests and marshlands, but quaint towns and state parks hugged the highway every 10 miles or so in Oregon. The 101 also clung to the coast throughout Oregon, presenting many panoramic views and tight turns. 

I entered Oregon around lunchtime and figured I would cruise down the highway til I found a campsite. This proved impossible with the 4th of July just two days away, so I had to get a hotel in Newport. The following morning I went to the beach district, stopped at a cafe, and took Percy to the beach. I needed to kill some time, so I drove across town to the bay district, where I curiously watched mammoth raccoons scurry through the busy shopping district, aimlessly walked the dog, and sat at the Rogue Brewery for a while. 

I then drove an hour or so inland to Eugene, stopping for a while at some swimming hole on the Siuslaw. In Eugene I met up with Robin and Joanie, who hosted me for 4th of July weekend. On Saturday, we visited Eugene's Saturday Market, where we bought some produce and looked at crafts, fascinating people, a drum circle...

On Sunday, Robin and I drove out to a sweet hike to a vista overlooking Eugene and the Wilamette Valley:

View of Three Sisters: 

From there, we hiked along a cool creek and hopped in some swimming holes. Percy even swam across a deep, wide stretch. Later, we hiked back to the car and stopped at a remote hot spring before heading back to Eugene. 

The following morning, I drove south to Crater Lake. I stopped at a trailhead along the N. Umpqua River and hiked several miles upstream, where I ate lunch and watched salmon jumping waterfalls: 

I then drove through Crater Lake NP and took in the scenery: 

Wizard Island: 

Without a clear plan for the remainder of the day, I began heading southwest towards the ocean. I finally found an amazing campsite along the Illinois River in SW Oregon, just north of the Redwoods NP. The campsites and swimming holes were 12 miles down a dirt road, but there were plenty of people there, some even scuba diving in the deep, crystal clear pools adjacent to the campsites. 

The following morning, I woke early and eager to see the Redwoods and California.