A Rock N’Roll Goodbye – Cape Blanco, OR
They say you’ve never really experienced Cape Blanco until you’ve been through one of her famous storms. We’ve had a few good ones over the years we’ve spent here including the one last year that shut down the lighthouse and produced my famous “wind mullet” shot. So, we were both rather relaxed when the first big storms of the year were scheduled to come through this week. Been there, done that kind of thing….a bit of wind, some wild weather and we’re done. No big deal.
What we were not prepared for was the gale-force monster that would come our way….
It all started a few days ago when the wind gave us her first taste. I was out by the Cape with a friend taking some pics when the sound of a thousand ghosts howled through the air. It was a wild and heart-breaking moan that echoed off the cliff walls and almost swept us off our feet. I thought of sailors on the seas and wondered if they heard the same voices in a storm. No wonder people go mad in the wilds.
This is new, I thought….
We had a break the very next day while the wind took a nap and lulled us into comfort. The Coast Guard arrived to clean the lighthouse lens and we had a trickle of (mostly) local visitors who came out to see our girl. Barely a wind touched the grass and hints of blue sky teased the horizon. The Cape was in a momentary repose and we basked in the relaxing nature of the day.
Just you wait, she whispered, just you wait….
And then….it came….oh holy moly did it come….
The first inklings was a violent shake of the RV in the early hours of the night, a totally unexpected experience for the well-protected sites of the campground. The gusts built, rocking our home to the violent rhythm of the storm as it grew and rallied. Trees over 30 foot high, rock solid and typically silent were thrashed around like playing sticks in the sky. Rain rocketed down in horizontal sheets, lashing the rig in merciless torture and dropping torrents of water on the ground. The sea frothed and rose in violent tune sending waves of unbelievable force crashing onto the beach. The whole world disappeared into the grip of a swirling, uncontrollable storm.
WOW! This is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in the rig before…
The storm peaked near dawn when wind readings at the Cape rallied to 94 mph (= 151 km/h) with the rig vibrating and groaning in response. It was by far the biggest shake I’d ever had in the RV. Then excruciatingly slowly, bit by bit it edged off, ebbing and flowing until finally moderating by the evening hour down to a more reasonable 20 mph. Phew!! We survived the storm!
We walked out to view the aftermath and considering her force, damage was low. Many trees were uprooted or snapped, branches were scattered on the trails and forest debris strewn across across the ground, but none of the campsites seem to have been affected. At our site our host sign had ripped off it’s hinges, our ladder was thrown, but otherwise everything was intact. And of course the lighthouse, our ever present and steady light, stood stoic and strong with nary a scratch. Port Orford, just 10 miles south of us fared much worse.
This girl sure knows how to say a dramatic goodbye….
We’re heading out tomorrow morning (baring any new storms), leaving our summer coastal adventures behind and looking forward to our winter wonderings in the desert. We’ve forged many new memories, made many new (and wonderful) friendships and experienced ALL that the Cape has to offer. Through gloriously warm days, sultry sunsets, long walks in the silent forest, beautifully deserted beaches and the screams of a final storm she’s tempted and tested us with all her moods. And despite her unpredictable nature, we always leave wanting more.
We may never understand her, but darn it…we can’t help but love her.
‘Till next time, my wild and wonderful lady…
Scary stuff. Glad you came out the other side safe and in one piece. Safe Travels.
It was a WILD ride. Most of the time I enjoyed it except for that morning period when we hit 90+ MPH. THAT was super scary.
Nina
Wow, what a goodbye from the ole’ girl. I think I would have been shuddering along with the storm. Safe travels as you move on to the southerly climates.
We had a few scary moments. I wasn’t too worried about the rig herself, but I was definitely worried about those big trees lashing around. All it would take would be one big branch to break off and come crashing into the rig. Thankfully none of the trees close to us were broken or uprooted.
Nina
I know what you mean. The only time I’ve ever experienced “horizontal” rain was in Port Orford.
I imagine that’s pretty much what a hurricane is like.
It really was lashing straight at us! With the wind speeds we hit we were technically experiencing Cat 1 Hurricane speeds. I’ve been in worse, but never in an RV.
Nina
Sounds like last winter in Asheville. No 90s but some 70s for sure. You may have been lucky enough to take them more snout or stern on.
We laid in bed and rocked back and forth as the winds hit us more broadside. About a dozen trees (some 60-80′ tall) came down that night. We could hear branches hit the roof and slide across the top. But as long as none were sticking through the ceiling, no way I was getting out of bed to check for damage until morning.
In retrospect, without being injured, it is part of the excitement of the full timing experience which will remain with you both the rest of your days. How does that saying go? That which does not kill me will make me stronger?
Wow! That definitely sounds like a scary story too. And yes, I agree. It’s a memory that will be relived and treasured. Sometimes the craziest experiences are the best.
Nina
I am from s. Florida, as is Paul, and have experienced a number of hurricanes….but to go through a big blow in an RV is a different animal indeed. We had that on a trip in Brookings one year and we weren’t in a 35000 pound rig but one with only 14000 pounds to lash us to mother earth. We knew it was coming so I connected the truck for a bit more stability. It hit at midnight with a thunder…hail hammered our plastic skylight and we rocked till the early morning. I don’t know if I lost my hearing that night from the wind noise or my wife howling…Have a great trip south and maybe we can see you there..(QS).
Oh indeed! I can’t even imagine going thro’ a big storm in a light camper. The weight of our rig helped to keep the rocking (somewhat) down, but a lighter camper would just be tossed around like a toy. Amazing you didn’t get any damage.
Nina
No damage but the water had come up around the wheels (we were across the road form the beach) and driftwood was under the rig.
I know you don’t necessarily want to play favorites, but IF you were FORCED to choose, which was the better all-around experience…Moran and the islands experience, or Cape Blanco and all the friend visits and social stuff…oh ya, and the lighthouse 🙂
Well since we ARE kinda partial to lighthouses (just a tad 🙂 ) we have to take Cape Blanco. Both were great experiences, but the lighthouse is extra special.
Nina
We are so sorry you all had that scary experience in your RVs, so glad you all got through it without harm or damage, and so thankful we left Port Orford when we did. We were expecting the worst weather when we traveled out there in late Sept-early Oct, but were instead treated to the best in our time with all of you. 🙂
Safe travels and enjoy another dry, lovely boondocking winter. 🙂
K,K,&P
You guys got the BEST week here. I have to admit I didn’t expect October to be this nice (in general). We were fully prepared for storms & rain most of the month and instead we got lots of sun and only a few storms. It’s been a great fall.
Nina
Think this is the best post you’ve ever written. Can’t imagine 94mph winds in an RV of any kind. Glad you survived unscathed.
Glad you enjoyed it. The experience was definitely something to write home about 🙂
Nina
We got that same storm inland here in SW Washington State. I LONGED to be at the coast, I LOVE coastal storms, they are electrifying! I am only afraid of the wind falling a tree onto us, and I don’t know how you can avoid that fear. Glad you weathered it and it is now a fond memory. Where are you headed? Hope to meet you down the road… You’ve inspired us a lot, most recently on our long hike out to the lighthouse at Dungeness Spit! It’s because of your post that I just HAD to do it! It was glorious!!!
Storm watching on the coast is definitely a special experience. We actually had quite a few folks out here right after the storm to check out the waves. And yeah…apart from worrying about the trees…it’s a cool experience. We’re headed to Eugene next & then down 395 with our buddies Technomadia 🙂
Nina
P.S. SUPER cool that you made the hike out to Dungeness Spit Lighthouse!!! That’s fabulous!
Whoo…can’t imagine 94mph winds. Glad you made it through and live to tell us that harrowing experience.
One day we will exchange stories of our scary storm experiences this year. I guess at some point in our life on-the-road we encounter mother nature’s inclement side.
You guys had a pretty close call earlier this year with the rain, if I recall correctly. Almost got washed under by the rising waters. I still remember your blog post!
Nina
Beautiful Pix!!
How do responders post thier avatar?
I’ve always used Gravatar. You can pick whatever pic you want and it’ll travel with you to all your sites/comments.
https://en.gravatar.com/
Nina
We have hosted the last two Novembers at Cape Blanco. There is nothing quite like standing at the end of the tree tunnel overlooking the bluff below the cabins. There is no stepping out of the tunnel when the winds come up! An awesome, sometimes scary and absolutely beautiful place. We will miss it this year.
Oh I BET you get some crazy stuff in November…and almost no campers. Maybe we’ll do that experience one day ourselves.
Nina
Oh WOW! Your verbal description had me gritting my teeth. Guess you brought your slides in. So glad you had no damage. Do I want to rethink my dedication to getting out there and volunteering? Storms sure do scare me in a home on wheels. Safe travels. Can’t wait to see where you end up.
Yeah, we bough the slides in. Waaaay too much wind to keep them out. That helped avoid leaks too 🙂 Storms are only really a problem in the winter season. Summer rarely gets this windy, although 25-35 mph is not unusual. We’re just at the start of the stormy season now & the one that just came through was an extra biggie.
Nina
I love, love the last photo of Polly!
And notice…NOONE on the beach 🙂 We do love it here.
Nina
Those were some amazing winds! Guess these good old motorhomes can take quite a bit. I’m glad we are able to pull our slides in and still live comfortably while waiting out severe weather. Good you, Paul, and all the paws were tucked in safe and sound. Glad all was all right in your area. I saw the photos from Port Orford. They sure got hit.
Safe travels as you move south:)
Luckily our rig is fully functional with the slides in too. Not something I would have thought about before RVing.
Nina
We never thought about the convenience of being able to live with your slides in either. But I was recently reading another blog that was effected by your winds and they have a fifth wheel. They said they had to leave their slides out because they can only access the bathroom and frig when they are in.
Wow, 94 mph is pretty amazing wind, entire RV parks have succombed to less. I noticed the wind was out of the southeast. Which way was The Beast facing?
We’re facing south-southwest. The winds are blunted and shifted in the campground thanks to a rather thick covering of trees. That’s really what protected us from the full force of the storm.
Nina
Well, you now know that your rig is good for 94 MPH down the freeway!
Hah! And that would be swerving from side to side too 😉
Nina
WOW…. Brought back some mems from our 5 years in Brookings. I just ran across a copy of a Christmas letter from our first year up there just yesterday!! It was about sideways rain and living in a 30 TT. Lucky for us we were tucked into a little protected valley area near Whaleshead. We did have some fun with our awnings which were unfurled and preparing for take off with newbies inside. I will never forget those storms…I thought SoCal was bad with earthquakes, but after living in Oregon, then moving to Florida I found the best of all possible weather drama. Bring it!
(Probably not good to dare the weather gods.)
Safe travels… Meet you at Sam”a Family Spa come March or April?
During the storm, weren’t you the teeniest bit tempted to run up to the lighthouse and step out on that platform next to the light?
We were actually, but the wind right by the campground was so strong it was too dangerous even to get out there. The closest we’ve gotten is over 50 mph when we shut down the lighthouse last year. That was an experience in and of itself. The lighthouse sounds eeeeeerie in the wind.
Nina
Great post. I kept reading down the thread till I got to the part where you put the slides in. I kept thinking, “they couldn’t have left the slides out, could they?” No slide seals can handle horizontal rain.
Yup slides were in. The slide toppers couldn’t handle the wind either.
Nina
Are you still heading for Elite? If so, you should ask Erik to check the voltage/wiring/whatever electrical behind your convection/microwave. If you have a pure sine inverter, that thing should not be frying itself. Erik, as you know, is really good at determining root cause.
Indeed we are. We have a modified sine wave inverter which is likely the main reason our microwave keeps frying, but we’re going to talk to Elite about the whole setup when we’re there
Nina
Wow. Very scary. Glad you all came through unscathed!
We were glad to actually see that you made it through the storm OK. Your description totally nailed the experience. I know I couldn’t have described that eerie sound of the howling wind like you did.
That sound we heard together out there was the oddest and eeriest wind sound I’ve ever heard. Such a crazy, lonely howl.
Nina
Glad you came out unscathed…as a Florida girl…I experienced many hurricanes growing up with lots of heavy winds…but experiencing winds like you did in th RV doesn’t compare….our worse winds were in Iowa where they were predicting tornados…very scary indeed
Yeah, I’ve been through some major storms in my life too…big typhoons in Hong Kong especially. But living it in the RV was a brand new experience. You feel soooo much more exposed in a rig.
Nina
If I remember correctly you had a surprise destination or new adventure ahead? Is there mystery?
There is definite mystery ahead, but the destination will be an oldie. We’re going to target 395 again, this time together with our good buddies Technomadia. Now, the mystery part I can’t reveal yet 🙂
Nina
Was north of you last weekend a way up the coast at Pacific City. It was definitely rock and roll but WAY cool! I was on the beach at midnight and rhw wind was gusting in the 80’s. I ate it up.
Can’t wait for your mystery; I love 395. 🙂
Wonderful and exhilarating! The whipping branches is an amazing shot – you can feel the power of the wind 🙂
Funny, one of the first things I thought was “Did you lose your camp host sign?”
A great send off from the ol’ girl, and probably a good time to head south 🙂
I had fun trying to “capture” the wind in a photograph. Truly difficult to do, actually.
Nina
That sounds like one scary storm Nina. We would have been screwed since our rig is not too livable with the slides brought in. Cape Blanco gave you quite the dramatic farewell.
Not being able to function with your slides in definitely makes it a little tougher. Most 5th wheels don’t have slide toppers so they can handle wind a little better, but this storm probably would have been too much even for your rig.
Nina
Any concerns about the integrity of your plumbing and slides from all that Rockin and Rolling? These rigs are designed to take the vibrations of the road but what about severe weather like that?
G
Not really. We had the slides pulled in and all our plumbing is internal. Everything looked fine post storm, but you never know of course.
Nina
We were planning to head for Bandon with friends to their beach house on Friday, and instead held tight in Ashland, knowing that the storms were coming. Still, we had up to 80 mph gusts rocking our little trailer at our cozy spot in Ashland — but not the sustained force that you guys experienced on the coast! Glad you weathered the storm unscathed. As you said, it was quite the send-off! We’re in Bandon this morning, the sky is blue, and all is calm. Sorry to have missed you here. Happy and safe travels!
Wow…I had no idea the winds got that strong in Ashland. That’s close to what we saw at the Cape!! Glad you made it through unscathed. Enjoy Bandon!
Nina
I love Oregon but have yet to experience one of their famous storms. Will have to schedule my trips later in the fall – although we were there mid-October this year. Thanks for sharing this – your blog is awesome.
Lots of folks come to the coast specifically to “storm watch”. It’s a big tourist attraction in winter time. Who knew?
Nina
We were in that same storm (we are lighthouse hosts at Heceta Head, just a few hours north of you) and boy howdy did we get some wind! Glad to see you made it out okay!
Oh I believe it!! You probably didn’t see quite the winds we did, but it was pretty ferocious all along the coast. Did you guys shut down the lighthouse?
Nina
Our rv has been through 2 hurricanes. First one we occupied the rv with the slides in during steady 75 mph winds without too much concern except for trees. The second storm had 115 mph winds. We did not stay in the rv but were able to see it during the storm. The eye of the storm went right over us so we got to enjoy the winds twice! A 28 ft travel trailer (unoccupied) located about 100 ft from our rv was picked up by the wind and slammed to the ground. The impact was heard and felt over the storm noise. I was pleased to find out after the storm that our motorhome had only some minor scratches. I thought for sure the Max Air vent covers would be gone but they were still there.
Living through a hurricane is something else. We lived through many typhoons (very similar) in Asia back in the day…but never in an RV. It must have been terrifying to see/hear that travel trailer smashed into the ground. Amazing your motorhome was fine.
Nina
Storms are both invigorating and sometimes unsettling. I experienced one like that in LaPush with a 3 flag warning at the nearby Coast Guard Station. Have a safe journey south. I’ll be in Bandon by Friday and looks like it will be wet and wild then too.
Oh yeah…you might catch the beginnings of another storm. Hopefully it won’t be quite as crazy as this last one.
Nina
Ahh yes…life on the beach in the PNW. There’s always an experience or an occurrence that out-does whatever else we’ve experienced.
Im glad to hear you survived without any damage or injury. Things can get crazy there, that’s for sure.
Here’s hopes of calmer and sunnier travels and camp spots ahead. 🙂
She really didn’t want you two to leave…
All kidding aside, I’m glad you’re all safe!
One of our main criteria for our future 5th wheel is to be able to live with the slides in. My main thinking was for convenience as we drive down the road, but now after reading about your storm experience, it gives us another reason.
We’ve discovered that having the ability to live with your slides in has helped us many times in our travels.
For example during:
– rest stops (stopping on the road for a snack/break)
– overnights at Walmarts etc.
– big storms/wind (helps streamline and secure the RV)
– leaks (e.g. if ever you have a problem with a slide)
It just makes it so much easier if your rig can function this way.
Nina
Scary. We did a night in 90 mph winds in our sticks and bricks house the year we moved in. The house groaned and vibrated but was standing the next morning. We did a night of 60 mph winds in our old travel trailer with two leveling jacks and a tongue jack. We didn’t get much sleep that night.
90 in an RV? Don’t know about that.
If you guys will be in the area, let us know. And if you need a flat spot to spend a night on your way south, we can provide that too. Safe travels!
Thanks Dan! We’ll probably be heading thro’ 395 again, but not sure how long we’ll stay in the Reno area. The weather may push us south faster than usual.
Nina
We were north of you at South Beach State Park—after days of rain and that WIND—-we headed inland to Eugene and Rte 5. Love the Oregon coast but maybe in the summer? We are now down at the Redwoods National Park—actually just south in Elk Country Campground near Orick—the herds of elk are LOLLING around the whole campground—maybe 100? Very cool to see.
Sounds like you made the right move…and the found a cool, new spot. 100 Elk? That would be something to see!
Nina
That sounds wild; I’m glad nothing on your RV was damaged. Was it Saturday when you had the wind? We were helping my sister move that day in E Washington (great timing) and had quite a bit of wind and rain. (It wasn’t hurricane-force like yours, though.) Then that night when we got home, we had a similar experience hearing the howling in the atmosphere. It was quite creepy. I have heard it before in the winter during wind storms, but not often. I guess you must be heading south now, ready for some dry and beautiful desert weather. I look forward to the pictures.
Yup, the big storm happened on Sat 25th. That howling sound is something special (and a little unsettling).
Nina
Please take a look at Bill H.R.5204.Charge fee to visit our national forest.Congressman Rob Bishop R/Utah and chairman Doc Hastings R/WA without a public hearing are planniing to get H.R.5204 attached as a rider to the Fiscal Year 2015 appropriations bills are considered “must pass”.The Bill will be 12/11/2014.WOW just put it on as rider.NO more senior 50% discounts in national parks.Also they want to rise the price $5.00 dollars every five years.