Hey everyone,

I'm doing some trip planning and need some first hand knowledge. In mid-July we are headed over to have dinner at Cowboy Dinner Tree for Dee's birthday. Here are the things I'm looking for:

Any good place to camp near Cowboy? Preferably asphalt since I'll have a friend in his RV-9a, either that or really smooth grass. Anyone pitched a tent next to the ramp in Christmas Valley, Prospect, or Chiloquin?

Next, we are planning on grabbing a rental car from either Klamath Falls or Medford. Wasn't there something with Medford a while back? Landing fees or something like that? Anyway, if anyone has experience of getting a car in that area, let me know. The plan is to drive up and see Crater Lake for the day.

Lastly, Sadie has been asking for months now if we are going to fly to the beach. I really would love to go up to Nahalem Bay and Copalis, but that is a little further north than we want to go. Any suggestions for a good place to camp on field and have easy access to the beach? I was looking at Wakonda. Any input?

Coming or going we thought that an ice cream stop at Field's Station may be in order.

Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Cory

Cory,
Sorry I missed this until now. Wakonda is Okay, grass, but in the middle of a neighborhood. Nehalem Bay is an awesome place to camp, but still a ways from the Beach, but right on the Bay if that will work. Pacific City is great as I'm sure you have seen. But, all three of these spots are North as you mentioned.

Medford is a great place to rent a car, no landing fee and a very nice drive to Crater Lake. Almost directly west of Medford is Cape Blanco state airport, http://www.airnav.com/airport/5S6. This is one of our favorite places to fly to on the coast. It is about a 1 mile hike to the coast, but it is beautiful and you come out on the bluffs overlooking the ocean, which is breathtaking. There is a trail down to the beach to get right on the water. Camping there would be primitive, with not much around, but you could get back in the trees some to get out of the wind. This time of year, if there is high pressure, the wind blows HARD out of the north from about 11am until dark, so the beach is best in the mornings. Gold Beach airport is just to the south of Cape Blanco and right on the Beach, but has no shelter from the wind for camping. But, you could get your beach fix in Gold Beach and stay at Lucas lodge just up the Rogue River at Agness.

Anyway, if you make it out this way, please send me a PM. We are based at North Bend and would enjoy seeing you guys.

Brent

Thanks for the info Brent. That is helpful. I might just break down and go further north. We camped at Nahalem a few years ago and loved it. We had considered Golden Beach and Cape Blanco, but just didn't know much about them. Luckily I've got a few weeks to think about it.

We'll let you know where we end up. Be good to see you too!

Cory

Hey Cory: if you want to come as far north as Pacific City you are welcome to camp at our new beach house, under construction. Pitch a tent in the back yard or use the house. By mid July it will be sided all windows and exterior doors. Probably will have 1 bathroom bootlegged in. Electricity, hot water too. The Jeep is there permanently. 200 yards from airplane parking to the house. Walk to the beach in 10 minutes or drive in 2 minutes. You can drive the Jeep legally on the beach. The south end of the beach you can have to yourself or go by the Pelican Pub and hang with the masses and people watch. I have lots of fire wood. All the contractors will be gone by mid July. Out of $$$

Other stuff:
Miles and miles of hiking in Bob Straub state park
Great fishing, Salmon, trout, crabbing, halibut
Dory fishing available from licensed vendors
Restaurants, grocery stores
Horse back rides on the beach
Hang gliding school
Sand Lake OHV area 10 miles north, ATV rentals
Kayak rentals
Surfboard rentals
Kite flying
Indoor swimming pool
Shopping, factory outlets in Lincoln City 25 minute drive south
Golf 10 min south
Tillamook air museum 10 minute flight. It is in the WWII blimp hangar
Tillamook Cheese factory tours 30 minute drive north.

http://www.pcnvchamber.org/directory.ht ... pos=dining

54th Annual Dory Days
Location: Pacific City and Cape Kiwanda
Date: July 19-21, 2013
Time: Day Event
Email: 503-965-7779
Web Site: http://pcdorymen.com/
Description:

A time-honored celebration of a time-honored tradition in Pacific City. Festivities include a parade through town of floats, dory boats and vintage cars. After that, a marine artisan fair is held at the beach on Cape Kiwanda.



Cheers...Rob

Hey Rob! That sounds like a real possibility. Thanks for the offer. I'll be in touch. Dee would love it there.

See you at JC!

Grassstrippilot wrote:Hey Rob! That sounds like a real possibility. Thanks for the offer. I'll be in touch. Dee would love it there.

See you at JC!

yeah buddy, JC

Cory, keep us posted as the dates get closer as to the Cowboy Dinner Tree, as we might come over, meet you there, spend the night? I think they have little cabins or teepees? Not sure. I do know that a fella by the name of Mark Hammon, owns the airstrip across the road, called Mahogany Mountain. 2,660' long, 4,620 elev. You may wish to contact him, his number, last I heard was....541-815-3636. He flies a PA-12 with an IO 540.

Nehalem Bay and PC on the coast are the 2 favorites with us.

Lucas Lodge is a great place to stay or eat as Highroad mentioned and inexpensive! Fried chicken to die for!

See ya guys at JC!

John and Lora Lee

Hey John,

We will be eating at Cowboy Dinner Tree July 19th, shooting for the 5:30 pm feeding. That would be great to see you there. Rfinkle is flying up from the Bay area to meet us as well. Thanks, I do have Mark's info and plan on calling him. We used his strip a few years ago. Really nice guy.

Thanks for the info! See you at JC!

Grassstrippilot wrote:Hey John,

We will be eating at Cowboy Dinner Tree July 19th, shooting for the 5:30 pm feeding. That would be great to see you there. Rfinkle is flying up from the Bay area to meet us as well. Thanks, I do have Mark's info and plan on calling him. We used his strip a few years ago. Really nice guy.

Thanks for the info! See you at JC!

Mark is listed in airnav

Thanks! The number John put is still good as well. I talked to him this morning and got permission. I also made reservations for 5:30pm on July 19th. Anyone else want to join in, the more the merrier!