We’ve now been at Cape Blanco for just over a week.
We’ve completed our first full set of volunteer shifts, and start another today. There are 4 volunteer couples and we work on a rotational schedule of three days in a row (an afternoon shift, a full 6 hr day, then a morning shift), get a day off, then repeat with everyone having Monday & Tuesday off.
All and all, a total of 14-17 hours (each) a week in exchange for our full hook-up huge private site… oh so grueling.
We’ve spent a lot of our time just soaking this amazing place in and exploring every hiking trail we can find. Try as she might, the magical words crafted by the lovely Nina just can’t do this place complete justice. Nothing could really prepare me for what an amazing experience this would be.
Some days are still and calm and clear, apparently more common for September than other months. .
Some days are completely fogged in and blustery, windy and chilly.
Other days are a mix, where it’s clear at the campground, but completely fogged in just a mile away at the lighthouse with wind that will rip the hat right off your head.
We love it all.
Especially the nights.
As night owls, we frequently walk the grounds in the wee hours of the morning when most are snoring away. There are just images that are impossible to capture in a picture.
Like the Milky Way gently kissing the Pacific Ocean as a sliver of the moon is setting and meteors shoot overhead.
Or the illumination of the 1000w light bulb focused by the 1.5 order Fresnal lense of the lighthouse sweeping by every 20 seconds.
We walk out to the cape in the midst of eerie night fog and wind, and feel enveloped in the safety of the light overhead, or feel the heavy absence when the fog is too thick to even see the light.
Here’s a round up of this past introductory week:
If you can’t tell, yes – this is exactly where we’re meant to be right now, and it’s made of awesome-sauce.
I just want to bottle up all the joy I have in my heart right now to share with a later date. I feel like I’ve been plopped right in the middle of Willy Wonka’s magical chocolate factory with a golden ticket to taste, feel and smell every nook and cranny. And oh goodness… I will.
The photos looks quite amusing and beautiful ! I would love to visit the Cape Blanco 🙂
Awesome, can’t wait to get back, enjoy, your guys have earned it! Heck of a way to break-in an engine!!!
Cape Blanco is indeed a beautiful spot. Some of the most dramatic coast begins there and runs along most of the highway all the way down to Brookings. The Oregon Coast Trail also hugs the coast and provides some great vistas. Let your readers beware of Port Orford – as friendly of a town that it is, it is also a speed trap.
It is only a speed trap for those who choose to disobey the speed limit. Otherwise, they are just enforcing the law. Good for them!
A poetic and lovely blog post. Perfectly fitting for the spot. So fun to see your shots too. You captured some wonderful sunsets!
Nina
Now to just wait for another lovely sunset setup and get over to the north overlook.. I do believe another sunset photoshoot is just awaiting us both there 🙂
I am a lurker following your adventures. Oh, to be able to describe a sky and a place like you do. Your words are magical. Thank you for bringing the Cape to me this morning. Jane in SC
*blush* Thank you. Glad I can add a little joy to your morning.
Welcome to the Oregon Coast! I live in Coos Bay and love that area. What a cool job for a space to stay. When we hit the road next year maybe we’ll look in hosting at one of the lighthouses sometime when we want return to visit. How do you find out about hosting opportunities?
We originally heard about this gig from Nina & Paul when they did it last year. But the Oregon State Parks list all their host opportunities on their website – and you can apply from there. Pretty easy.
We’ll be doing a summary post of the job and the process of getting it.
Thanks you!
You have now caught the Oregon coast flu! I can’t believe how tranquil the coast is to the soul. Enjoy your time. It will fly by way too fast.
I’m born for the coasts, that is for sure! After so many years along the Atlantic, it’s fantastic to get a taste of the Pacific.
Thank you soooooooooooo much for allowing us to “taste” the treasures you’re discovering. We truly love following your journey from “across the pond”. Here in Amsterdam we’re getting “steamed up” by your stories, preparing for living out our own dream : RV-ing in the US for as long as we desire. And we will…….
Wishing you lots of “living life lovingly days” !!
How fantastic, I know you have some amazing adventures ahead of you!
I grew up in the SF Bay Area. And after an exciting career starting the tech industry, I am now a full-timer in my RV. I left the Bay Area because it changed. Too much for me and my younger memories. I have traveled all around the U.S. and I have always thought that the Oregon Coast would make a great new home (in the RV of course). Your pictures have now convinced me to follow my intuitions and tale a shot at it. I am sure that I can find some truly fabulous places to spend some months enjoying the treasures you have described and found. Thanks for your writings. Robert
How cool, your path sounds similar to Chris’ – he also originated his nomadic journey after a tech career in the Bay Area.
Oregon is lovely, and I’m sure you can find some amazing here! Portland & Eugene in particular have a bit of the SF vibe.
It definitely is a rough life you have there…haha! Between you and Nina, we are having a great time along the Oregon coast even if only in our imagination.
I’m so glad you are living vicariously and joining us virtually here on the coast 🙂
Calm is normal this time of year on the coast. The secret in Oregon is that Sep and early Oct is the most beautiful time of the year. Sorry I didn’t get to see you when you rolled through Portland.
Sounds like Zephyr knew this and picked the right month to break down. Originally we were scheduled for this gig in July.
You both look like you belong there…and yes it is a magical place…one we have enjoyed and of course having the neighbors you have can only add to the experience…I love Oregon….and although the coast is great the rest of the state is not to shabby….
Oregon is indeed full of a lot of beauty!