Blue Heron French Cheese Company, Tillamook, OR March 7th

Before leaving Winchester Bay this morning, Ray noticed a wonderful rainbow. Hopefully that means we will have a nice drive today.

Today's drive we encountered a bit sun and a lot of showers. The part of the road north of Newport, OR is definitely challenging with the twisty narrow highway. Tough driving for Ray. 

You can see how windy the roads are... from where we are and to the end of the road you see in the distance that we pass by.

We were warned about this tunnel by Steve and Dianne to only go in the middle. Fortunately there was no oncoming traffic when we went through. Lots of spotches of rain on the windshield. lol

Made it!

Coastal Views:

A couple of people enjoying the beach between rain showers.

Yaquina Bay Bridge

Newport Harbour

After Newport, OR we went up a pass at 800 feet. There were piles of snow at the top from plowing the road a few days ago. Work crews were working cutting up fallen trees from the last windstorm. Glad to get by this part as there could be some mixed precipitation tonight in this area.

The worst part of the drive was after coming down from the pass into Neskowin to Pleasant Valley on the 101. 25 miles of the worst crap of a highway Ray's ever driven. Through these very small towns, skinny roads, twist and turns and slow speeds. Certainly more a back country road, not a highway. There was even an abandoned Airstream trailer that was left from the storms recently, tipped into a ditch with all it's tires stolen. I think we should have detoured off the 101 and gone straight to the coast through Pacific City and then caught up with the 101 at Tiger Creek ... maybe. 

Getting close to Tillamook we came across this rainbow. 

Picture by Deb lol

After 3 1/2 hours we arrived. Time for some lunch. The sun conveniently came out so Ray rushed around taking pictures before it dissapeared and the rain came in again. They have a petting zoo for kids and lots of old relics to look at. They let you camp here for free for 2 nights. You just check in and get a parking slip. 

Pretty cool grille. I could see this as a Disney Character with eyes and ears. lol

Ray took a picture of the snowy mountains behind us, in the sun before they disappeared with the clouds/snow/rain. These hills were covered in fresh snow in the morning and the field in front white with frost.

Time for a charcuterie board for lunch. I look as tired as I felt. :( Not the best last hour of a drive.

After lunch we set up the MH and returned to the store to check out their stuff. Lots of interesting offerings. Ray walked out with a few jams etc.

Chocolate animals mimicking their farm yard petting zoo.

The wines have gone to the dogs. lol

Cheese anyone. They make brie cheese but have a wonderful variety of all Tillamook cheeses.

Lots of various Italian Pasta ... tempted but not today.

Of course we checked out the animals too.

c

Back in the coach for the rest of the night. Glad we have the Big Buddy as it's cold outside.