Category: Road Trip

Road Trip to Coos Bay, Oregon

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Back in October of 2021, Winfred and I decided to go on a road trip to Oregon to visit my aunt and uncle. This aunt and uncle hold a special place in my heart because they were the ones who welcomed me into their home when I decided to leave Guam and spread my wings and try it out in California. They sold their home a few years ago in Sacramento and purchased a retirement house in Coos Bay, Oregon. Since they moved, I haven’t been able to visit them and I figured that the three day weekend in October might just be the time to visit them. I gave them a call and they said, “Come on over!” Below, I’ll be sharing and recollecting our 4 day itinerary in Coos Bay, Oregon.

Day 1: We took Highway 5 all the way into Oregon. It wasn’t our first choice route, but because we picked up a tag-along passenger in Stockton, it soon became our preferred route. The drive on the 5 all the way north was actually pretty breath-taking. We passed an endless amount of trees and greeneries. There was also a majestic mountain that took my breath away…I tried to research the name of the mountain and it may have been the Siskiyou mountain.

We stopped at Rogue River, Oregon for a late lunch at FLIP, flippin good burgers. Then dropped off Brutus at his boardinghouse called Howl-a-Day Inn. And, finally, made it to my aunt’s house. It was quite an adventure!

Day 2: This was our adventure day! We went out and rented a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV.) Oregon Dunes is one of Coos Bay’s claim to fame. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area extends for 40 miles along the Oregon Coast from Florence, OR to Coos Bay, OR (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/siuslaw/recreation/recarea/?recid=42465)

It was Winfred’s dad first time in a sand dune and let alone in a UTV. Winfred and I have visited Pismo Beach a couple of times and have driven All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) a handful of times. However, we were all excited, especially Brutus because he got to ride with us!

That evening, we enjoyed dinner at the Portside Restaurant. The view from the ceiling to floor windows were spectacular! You can see the sun setting and the calm waters. A nice way to end a perfect day!

Day 3: We took this day slowly. We stopped by the Shore Acres Gardens again as we had been kicked out the day before because they were closing. The ranger on duty that day was kind enough to let us come again the second day without charging us a fee ($5/day-cash only!) So we came back and enjoyed everything else more thoroughly.

Day 4: Left Coos Bay and headed to Crater Lake. Will share more on a future post of Crater Lake.

One thing I will remember to do the next time I visit Coos Bay…BRING A COOLER! We regretted not bringing our cooler with us for this trip as there was so much fresh seafood! From oysters, to crab, and to fish! If you love seafood, you will definitely enjoy Coos Bay. I hope to return again one day to the Bay Area of Oregon, Coos Bay.

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad, CA

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Last weekend, the husband and I decided on a whim, to drive down to SoCal to pay a visit to the Flower Fields in Carlsbad before they close out for the season. It was a nice drive because we barely hit any traffic and the weather was warm and inviting. (We did a detour in Los Angeles but more on that later). We gave our friends a one day notice and just hoped they were free. Thankfully they all were!

We stayed one night at our friends home in Oceanside and another night at the Carlsbad by the Sea Hotel, which was conveniently located right across the Flower Fields (IG story to be shared shortly).

I purchased our tickets for the Flower Fields on April 29 for a May 1st visit. Surprisingly, there were many tickets available throughout the day, however, I decided for the last entry (5PM-5:30PM) so that we can enjoy our Sunday meeting, have a nice lunch, and have time to check in at the hotel and relax before heading to the Flower Fields. It sounded like a nice plan in my head, but little did I know, we would have an unpleasant experience later that afternoon.

Here is the hard lesson I learned: On their website it has 9am-6pm listed on their home page and no other disclaimer about adhering to strict operational hours. However, on the purchase ticket link, you can purchase tickets for the last entry from 5:00PM-5:30PM for the same price of $22. Which means, those who purchase the last entry only received one hour or 30 minutes of exploration time. I couldn’t help but feel gypped when, 15 minutes before closing, majority of the employees were telling all the paying visitors to exit the fields. We left feeling very frustrated.

Anyhow, the next day, I had to speak out for others and myself…that the Flower Fields should not charge the same price for the last entry and that they should, at the very least, not have tickets from 5:00PM-5:30PM if the fields close at 6PM. They understood my frustration and were very accommodating.

Because of this experience, I share with you this new knowledge:

  1. Do NOT purchase the 5:00PM-5:30PM tickets. (The 30 min window from the ticket means you can arrive between 5PM-5:30PM.)
  2. Do purchase tickets that allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours of exploration time. If you come with kids, allow for more time to enjoy the kiddie activities like the Sweet Pea Maze, collecting stamps at each location, having snacks, and the Wagon Ride (Additional $6/per adult and $3/per child).
  3. Tickets are $22/per adult, $20/per senior 60+ or military, and $10/per child (3-10 years old).
  4. If you do not wish for your feet to get dirty and dusty, wear closed toe shoes that are comfortable to walk in.
  5. The Flower Fields typically close on Mother’s Day weekend but this season has been extended to May 15, 2022. Tickets are also half off now! ($11/per adult, $10 per senior 60+ or military, and $5/per child).

Overall, it was a solid experience! A field of more than 50 acres of ranunculus, gladiolas, and even sunflowers…leaving me with a delightful memory and a lasting feast for my eyes.

Roadtrip Essentials

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One of my most favorite things to do, since I moved stateside, are roadtrips! Recently, we embarked on a 10 hour drive from northern California to North Bend, Oregon. We started our journey at 6:30AM, made five stops along the way, and arrived at our destination just a few minutes before 6PM. The MVP (Most Valuable Passenger) has got to be the driver! In our case, it was the hubby who took on the challenge and agreed to do the entire drive himself. He was a champ throughout because I was expecting him to pass me the keys at least once, but he took his responsibility seriously and embraced it. Granted, his dad was with us, for the first time ever, and maybe this compelled him to be the pilot at all times. Whatever the reason, I was glad he did it and he did a great job at it. While he was driving, I thought it would be nice to put together a list of essentials for our next road trip…so here it is!

  • SNACKS AND WATER. Eventually, you’d get thirsty or its Who-Knows-How-Many miles until the next store, restaurant, or fast food joint…and you are Starving and Hangry…snacks and water or other beverages will be a lifesaver!
  • A GREAT PLAYLIST. What’s a road trip without rockin out?
  • DRAMAMINE. Windy roads make me so dizzy and nauseous that dramamine is a close companion of mine during road trips.
  • A WARM BLANKET. Something to keep you wrapped up and cozy for those cat naps.
  • FIRST AID KIT. You hope to never use it. 🙂
  • MAP or G.P.S. Has anyone embarked on a roadtrip without a map, G.P.S., or their phone with Waze? Sadly, I’d never make it to my destination without my phone,
  • PHONE CHARGER. Using Maps or other apps on the phone will drain your battery fast, so be sure to have a car charger set up and ready to plug your phone in before its completely dead.

Also, because it Covid-times, I always carry hand sanitizer, alcohol wipes, disposable masks in my bag or glove compartment. What are your roadtrip essentials? And why?