I tossed and turned a little last night, but got enough sleep, getting up at around 7. Ate an apple, had my vitamins, and about 3 cups of coffee from my thermos with the rest of my mini bran muffins I brought. Took a shower. Since today was going to be an easy day, no rush whatsoever to be anywhere, I just hung out relaxed in my room until about 930, then started to pack up to check out.
The Motel 6 was adequate, but basically a dump. The room was ok, bed was fine, but there were some characters apparently living there in another room, they weren’t loud but they were ugly, one fat and one skinny, and would say strange things. Another lady appeared to be on drugs or drunk, barely able to walk.
I was on the road shortly before 10, heading south on OR18 towards the ocean, which would then connect with 22W and 101N to Tillamook. What a nice drive these roads were, 55 was the limit, and lots of winding around that forced lower speeds. Traffic was not heavy at all, those behind me were just as relaxed as me apparently. I got to the Tillamook Air Museum there around 1130. What a cool place. Not a whole lot to see in the way of number of planes, but what they had was good, and lots of history about the place. I didn’t realize just how big the old blimp hangar was, and its made of wood!
It was really sad to see the old Stratocruiser conversion to MiniGuppy decaying outside in the weather, but it was more cool to be able to walk inside to see how big it really is and what it could do. Here is a shaky video of my walk thru- https://youtu.be/slyD0ZK83lg
They had a small café, but it wasn’t open. Being a weekend I would have thought it would be, but maybe I was still too early. It was lunchtime while I was there. I spent about 90 minutes total before heading up to Tillamook proper for a bite to eat. Lots of weekend traffic and worse because of downtown construction. Pretty soon I was on my way south down 101 to Newport, and the clouds looked like they were building slowly to some rain. I arrived there by 330. Another wonderful drive.
I checked in to the EconoLodge, I got an upstairs room with a slightly distant view of the ocean, this place is far & above last nights Motel 6. 100% better. And only about $10 more per night.
A little after 4 I headed down to Rogue Brewery’s world headquarters for early supper and beer. IT-WAS-BUSY. I sat on a bar chair at an open window, so had a little ventilation(wasn’t too warm but heading that way) and ordered my favorite Hazelnut Brown Ale, and a reuben sandwich. Both were fantastic. I had another ale. At about 530 I cashed out and on my way out I bought a case of Dead Guy and a case of Hazelnut, and one bottle of Sriracha Hot Stout for Todd at the office, and one bottle of Fruit Salad Cider for Wendy. $157 for all, kind of pricey but its good stuff, you get what you pay for. I’ll try not to drink it too fast. 🙂
On my short drive back to the motel, I headed down into old bay town on the waterfront, just to see Rogue Ale’s Public House with the Bed ‘n Beer above it(Wendy and I stayed there years ago), but it was starting to rain so I decided against parking and walking anywhere. Then drove back to the motel. Tomorrow is a long drive home.