Re-Visiting An Old Favorite – Bandon, OR
There’s no denying that we have a very strong affinity for the PNW beach towns. The coastline is spectacular (of course) and 100% dog-friendly (of course), both aspects that add exponential bonus points to every place we go here. But there’s also the whole feel of these spots. It’s that vibe thing again, and everything on the Oregon Coast just seems to have it for us.
The whole length of OR Hwy 101 is littered with small towns, most of which developed around fishing & logging that have now transformed into vibrant little spots with a very local focus -> local community, local produce, local shops. Many of these places don’t have a Redbox, Starbucks or Walmart in sight. Instead you’re getting your DVDs at the local video store (remember those?), you’re buying your coffee at the local drive-through espresso stand (an Oregon specialty) and you’re shopping at the local farmers market where everyone remembers your name.
“You’re here early this season aren’t you?” said the guy behind the coffee bean stand “You still like the dark roast?”
We hadn’t been in Bandon for 2 years and yet everyone (every single person!) at the farmers market still remembered me. The cheesecake lady (Chubby Girl Cheesecake -> seriously DO NOT miss this lady if you see her), the fish shop (fresh-caught Rockfish had been delivered that morning, plus they had just stocked-up on local pastured pork & grass-fed beef), the coffee guy (Capt Beans Coffee -> delicious stuff), the gal at the raw-food Pet Store (Dog Style Boutique -> the BEST doggie treats in the world!). They all remembered our story, the fact that we were local volunteers and exactly what kind of food-preferences we have.
I imagine that folks who grew up in a small town know this kind of familiarity all too well, but for us “big city” folks it’s quite astonishing. Coming here is like coming back home after a long absence. Your life might have changed 1000 times since your last visit, but everything here is still exactly the same and you’re welcomed back like you never left. Honestly there’s something really comforting in that.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that Bandon is one of our top two all-time favorite towns on the Oregon Coast (Astoria is the other one, by the way) .
We liked Bandon so much over the years that we hired a Real Estate agent (TWO years in a row) to look at houses. We even got so far on one particular super-cute 1950’s cedar-shingled house that we had a contractor come in to give us a quote on a complete reno. The house was right no doubt, but the timing was just off. Mere hours before we placed a bid, we decided to pass it by. In our hearts of hearts we just knew our wander lust was still too strong, and we weren’t quite ready to settle-down, even part time.
But we still dream about this place.
When we re-arranged our spring travel schedule, we knew we HAD to make it to Bandon even if just for a few days. So we booked a spot at our favorite State Park (video review coming) and settled in for a week-end of beach-gawking, lounging and eating. And that’s pretty much exactly what we did -> we had fish tacos at Tony’s Crab Shack, enjoyed the ridiculously large $2 child-size ice cream portions at FaceRock Creamery, soaked in a sunset at super-cute Coquille River lighthouse (where we volunteered for 2 years), and basked in an afternoon of warm colors and sea-stack beauty at the ever-breathtaking Coquille Point. Plus, of course we couldn’t miss the excellent Fri/Sat Farmers Market, an absolute “must do” for anyone who visits the area.
I imagine that one day, maybe down the line, Bandon might become a part-time spot for us. After all, every period in life has a beginning and an end and we’ve always known that RVing would be just that for us -> a temporary period (albeit a rather extended one) that would eventually end. For me the key is not to grieve the possibility of those changes, but to try and live and love (as much as is humanly possible) in the present by fully valuing what we have now so that I may be able to embrace what might be in the future.
Oh dear, I’m getting deep again aren’t I?
Fear not dear blog readers. I may become philosophical about our travels ends, but our nomadic hearts are still beating strong and we have many, many miles of road ahead of us. I always say we started this RV journey as a “one-year plan” and we’ve been on a one-year plan ever since. We just haven’t stopped renewing it yet…
Our short stay here marks the end of our “accelerated” Spring Coastal drive north. We could have easily spent another month or two meandering along our old favorite Coastal spots, hanging at more of the lighthouses and indulging in the inviting vibe that is the Oregon Coast, but life moves on and we have stuff to do. From here we head inland for some “beastly” TLC (yearly service) in Eugene followed by an extended stay (for me at least) in Portland while Paul flies home to take care of his family stuff.
While Paul is gone I’ll get up to my usual solo explorations, and will no doubt have some Nina-worthy shenanigans to share on the blog. And as long as I don’t end up in the ER (which is a bit of a specialty of mine whenever Paul is gone), I think it’ll all go just fine. It’s what I do, after all 🙂
Adieu dear Coastline. You know we’ll be back!
Bandon – Related Blog Posts:
- SP Campground Review – Bullards Beach State Park, Bandon
- The Creative Art Of Sea Trash -> WashedAshore.Org In Bandon
- “Home” On The Beach – Bandon, OR
- Sentinals Of The Sea – Bandon Sea Stacks, Bandon, OR
- Gone A-Golfin’ (With The Paws)! Face Rock Golf, Bandon, OR
- The Perfect Sunset
- Exploring Nature’s Ocean Theatre -> Tide Pools Of The OR Coast
- Rocks In Rocks – Discovering The Cool & Wacky World Of Concretions
- Botanical & Geological Wonderland – The Cape Arago Headland
- Two Weeks And A Dane On The OR Coast
Coquille River Lighthouse Volunteering – Related Blog Posts:
- Back “On The Job” -> Lighthouse Hosting At Coquille River Lighthouse, OR
- Volunteering as Lighthouse Hosts -> What Do You Actually DO?
Love your posts! We will be adding this one to our list! Thank you more than you know.
Thank you! Glad I can give ya some travel tips.
Nina
It seems Oregon Coast is a very beautiful place to visit, and it reminds me of ours “Costa Vicentina” on the south west coast of Portugal. You should come and visit it. I think you would love it too.
I have become a fan of you posts. So much information and so well “delivered”.
Thanks a lot to both of you.
Thank you SO much for the lovely compliment. I do think I would enjoy your beautiful Portugal Coast. Even though I lived in Europe for several years I never made it there. One day, I hope!
Nina
Love Bandon! It is my favorite place on the Oregon Coast as well. Hoping to have some extended time around that area in the near future. Please do keep posting when in Portland and DON’T end up in the ER!
I’ll do my best 🙂
Nina
After more than 30 years of living in Oregon with time off for 12 years of foreign travel and RVing full time, we always made it back to Eugene and the Oregon Coast nearly every year. Even more fun than RVing along the coast is bicycle camping along the coast with their Hiker-Biker Campgrounds for about $4 a night. We have done that a few times going from Astoria to Brookings and went on to San Francisco a few years back when we were a bit younger. It was a blast but so dangerous once we hit the California coast with the ins and outs caused by the river valleys. We learned that Oregon could build straight roads along the coast because it was public property vs. California where it was private property and very difficult to purchase and improve thier coastal roads. Biking along the California coast is not for sissies as they say! We also love volunteering along the southern Oregon coast as you have. With a smaller population base and gorgeous habitat, it’s an RVer’s dream.
What a wonderful history! Every summer we see folks either biking or hiking the Coastal trail and we always say to each other “maybe one day”. I love that you’ve done it several times!
Nina
Lynda and I have been following your blog for some time now. You have contributed to our full time life style in so many ways. More than we can explain here. Now it looks like we are actually following you.
We are just south of Brookings, heading North on 101. We will end up in Portland around the 22nd. We have to fly out of there on the 23drd and return on the 28th and have yet to secure a parking spot or camp site to leave our fifthwheel. There is one off site parking lot that “might” have room for us. We have to call back a week before we leave to be sure. Would you have any suggestions for something in or near Portland?
Thanks for any help and thanks for the blog.
Gary
When we’re in Portland we always stay at the local RV park (Columbia River RV Park). So, we haven’t tried to park the rig (or leave it anywhere) outside a park. I’m sure you could always book a few days at the RV Park, but it may not be the cheapest option for you. Sorry I couldn’t help more…
Nina
Thanks for the followup. Travel safe.
Gary
If someone asked me about “Wheeling It”, I would say that it’s amazing that such photographic talent and such writing talent should be combined in one person/blog. It seems that you will be working your way north on the West Coast while we are doing the same on the East Coast.
Thank you for the lovely compliment {{blush}}.
Nina
Glad you made it back to Bandon for a quick visit. Wish I would have spotted you at the Creamery! Safe travels and I look forward to reading about your Portland adventures.
Gina!!! Our favorite real estate agent!! How lovely to hear from you. For folks reading if you’re looking for a spot in Bandon, this is your gal.
Nina
And it’s where you met the TinTeePee folks the first time!
Right you are! I still remember the exact post too:
https://www.wheelingit.us/2013/08/20/we-meet-a-real-live-cowboy/
Nina
Nina,
I didn’t see any indication that you were heading up Astoria way, but rather inland to Eugene.
But, just in case, I wanted to warn you that we just spent a few days at Fort Stevens, and the mosquitoes are abundant and voracious right now!
They were doing Trolley-conductor training in Astoria, and we got an opportunity to hitch a ride along on a nearly empty car. Pretty cool!
Bowpicker is Wed-Sun, so unfortunately missed out on the best fish and chips.
Paul
Good info, thanks! I’ll be volunteering right across the river at Cape Disappointment State Park in June. Hopefully no mosquitos there. We’ll see.
Nina
For two gross analytical ‘s, you two are helpless romantics! But you’re definitely under the spell of beauty, softness, awe-inspiring, harshness, and the tenderness of Oregon, from whence you shall never escape!
We chose the sunshine for our home base, here in Arizona, but will forever be tied to the Northwest, as you probably will find.
Your readers tease you, and tantalize you with other places to go, things to do, and other sites to see. But as you know, you’ll never have enough lifetimes to enjoy the beauty and passion of the many places to see, enjoy, and revel in.
So good luck in your journey! And Nina, the Portland area is an extravagant area as a base camp – so go explore, and soak in adventures as Paul goes to take care of his family in Florida. Best wishes, Paul, for your family care.
And keep sharing, folks, because you are certainly are aware that your readers are bonded in your Cloud, with you.
What a wonderful way with words you have! Thanks much for the lovely comment.
Nina
I’m trying to get reservations at Bullard’s Beach SP to pick off where we left off a few years ago. Then, we only spent one night before an emergency trip up to Elite for an inverter failure. I’m having no luck getting more than 3 days in a row! Curses…. Do you have any suggestions for Bandon, other than the SP?
We’ll be in Astoria in the middle two weeks of June, perhaps we’ll come up to Washington for a visit!
Sue
Bummer! Bandon RV Park is basically a parking lot, but the location is walking distance to downtown. Also I know friends of ours stayed at Robins Nest RV Park and liked it, but it’s a bit further from town. Lastly Beach Loops RV Village was apparently taken over by new owners a while back and seems to rate decently. Maybe one of those will work? There’s a few other options on rvparkreviews.com. We haven’t stayed at any of them, so unfortunately I can’t comment more.
Nina
Your comment about one year RVers reminds me of a Belgian couple I met on a yacht in the harbour at Djibouti (at the southern end of the Red Sea to save you digging out your atlases!). They were towards the end of their third circumnavigation of the planet with just the Red Sea, the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean left. Plan #1 had been to circumnavigate Planet Earth once. I asked them what they planned to do when they exited the Straits of Gibraltar this time, turn right and head north back to Belgium or carry on across the Atlantic. They look sheepishly and said they had a horrible feeling it would be the Atlantic.
Such a lovely tribute to Bandon, also one of our favorites on the Oregon Coast. We’ve spent many happy times there, since it’s close to our hometown of Ashland. If you end up there someday, and we end up back in our hometown (someday!) we’ll be almost neighbors! :-))
Love Bandon and Face Rock Creamery! Enjoy Portland and safe adventures!
So very sorry to have missed you, but I’m on this insane schedule of juggling two houses again (still!). Just drove Eric down yesterday, did some painting while he tackled the blackberry bushes, then had to hustle on back to get the car serviced. Back down south again tomorrow morning to maybe finish the painting project. I think once the new fridge and stove arrive we may do some more extended stays down south and perhaps even get closer to finishing the reno. With any luck we’ll be finished or at least moved down there (is any reno project ever truly finished?) by the time you breeze through this area again.
Enjoy your stay in Eugene. I’m not sure but I may have a shopping trip coming up in Portland. Just don’t know WHEN I can fit it in.
No worries at all. I know how time-consuming reno’s can be. If you come by Portland lemme know.
Nina
That Pacific Northwest Coast is most definitely a place that lures one back, over and over. Whenever we cross that “line” into Oregon we feel lighter. It is for us very similar, yet completely different feeling when we enter the Eastern Sierras along Hwy 395. We too have had some circumstances that caused us to make a U-turn in our Summer plans and are postponing Canada and Glacier for a future trip.
I admire the honesty with which you share your emotions and thoughts. Your “landing” a volunteer job at the museum is a testament to the way you’ve developed relationships that endure. Sending positive thoughts to both of you as you navigate the next few months.
Nina, We just arrived in Bandon where we’ll be working as Interpretive Volunteers for the US Fish and Wildlife Service for the summer. We’re so excited and pleased to hear it is one of your favorite places. With all the money we’ll be saving on RV Parks, we plan to eat out a lot. Do you have any favorite restaurants in the area?
Thanks, John and Cindy