NO rain in the forecast for today! It’s about time. Our plan was to leave the Osprey Point RV park in Lakeside today as soon as our package of mail arrived. It was almost noon when we left, heading south along Pacific Coast Hwy 101 to the city of North Bend, near Coos Bay, a whopping 14 miles!

We are staying at The Mill Casino RV Park. There is no free overnight parking for RVs at this casino like we have had at other ones. While we could have dry camped in the gravel lot for $15 we opted for the casino’s RV park for twice the price. The RV park is right on the bay (Coos Bay) and has some very nice wide level paved spots with a view and all the hookups.

The Mill Casino RV Park, #73

The Mill Casino, North Bend, OR

Since this might be the only dry day for a while we went for a drive right away so we wouldn’t miss anything due to rain. Just like the rest of the Oregon coast, this is a very beautiful area. Here area a few pictures from our drive:

Oregon Coast

Oregon Coast

Shore Acres State Park used to be a private residence of lumberman and shipbuilder, Louis J Simpson. The state of Oregon purchased his property in 1942 to use as a park. The mansion is gone now, but the formal gardens have been restored. Not much is in bloom this time of year, unfortunately, but still beautiful.

Shore Acres State Park, Oregon

Shore Acres State Park, Oregon

Simpson Reef was next on our drive. Here we could hear the barking of a hundred Sea Lions, but couldn’t see them. They were hanging out on the rocks out in the water. A signs tells of what we might see out there if we had remembered our binoculars or had a better camera with a nice zoom lens.

Simpson Reef

Simpson Reef

And then there is another lighthouse here. The Cape Arago Lighthouse is privately owned and not open to the public, but can be seen from this viewpoint.

Cape Arago Lighthouse

Driving through the city of Coos Bay, on the way back to the casino, we noticed this huge pile of oyster shells. Not something we’re accustomed to seeing in the Midwest.

Oyster Shells

• Gasoline:  none
• Lodging:   $35.63 (10% Good Sam discount + taxes/fees)
• Admission:  $5 State Park Entrance Fee