**A note before I start writing… (July 25)

I just read in RVSue’s blog, that Rusty’s dog Timber was recently killed by a mountain lion while camping in southern Utah. Many of us have followed Rusty and Timbers story over the years, on Sues blog. If you would like to send condolences to Rusty…who witnessed this tragic event…you can do so by going to Sue’s most recent blog posted last evening ( http://www.rvsueandcrew.net ) and writing it there.
So heartbreaking.

Writing about my own dogs now, and realizing even more how very precious they are to me.

July 22, 2015

Leaving behind the biggest of the trees, we drive the Oregon coast, north. Mile after mile of amazingly beautiful coastal scenes unfold, along with the fresh ocean breezes. On the left rocks and waves, on the right piney forests.

Small to midsize towns punctuate our path.
Just past North Bend we dry camp on a field beside some alpacas. For the most part this keeps the dogs and the alpacas occupied. There seems to be this staring contest going on.

After awhile the group of alpacas wander off. I make some random noise and a few minutes later I am startled to see all 6 of them standing at the fence staring again.

Still staring….

They are so quiet and so curious. Joy and Shiloh never bark at them. The brown one seems to be the leader of the pack.

July 23, 2015

We say our good byes to the alpacas and head further north on 101. It’s a short drive to Waldport where we camp next. I choose the Chinook RV Park because they have a huge off-leash area next to the river for the dogs, and because when I talk to Becky on the phone she seems like a genuinely nice, dog loving person.

Joy and Shiloh rush into the river and rush out to roll in the grass, over and over and over.

The Alsea River

A convenient dog rinsing area is provided and it comes in VERY handy!

July 24, 2015

Becky tells me about an out of the way ocean beach area where dogs can run free and we head there.
Instant replay…Joy and Shiloh rush into the ocean and rush out to roll in the sand over and over and over!

Rush in…

The tide is out and the beach is huge, with lots of water lingering around rocks. This calls for some soaking time.

Salt water soak

The long-stretching deserted Oregon beaches are just the best!

If you are looking for a nice place to bring your dog on the mid-coast of Oregon, I recommend:

Chinook RV Park

Our camping spot.

Site #23. I would want this same site, if I were to come back again.

the owners, Becky and Ben, couldn’t be nicer. The park is clean, small and fairly priced.