Coos Bay, OR. & Patrick's Point, CA.

Day 10

The drive was rough. I mean driving through winding roads to get to the coast is really not ideal in a car filled with hungover people. We were stopping every 30 minutes to take a breather. Once we finally made it to Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), we were passed the worst of it. Thank God! Since, just the previous day, we had booked rental ATVs day to use in the Oregon Dunes while on our way to Coos Bay, which is something I saw countless times when searching for fun things to do. 

We signed in at the rental place and got suited up to ride. We rented two ATVs for two hours, so Graham and I went for the first hour while Jon and Doreen waited for us to be done at a cute little shack selling some ice cream bars for the second hour. It was definitely harder and scarier than I thought it would be. You really had to push full throttle up the dune if you didn’t want to get stuck in the sand, all while worrying if someone was coming up the opposite direction as the park was busy and this seemed to be a very popular pastime for those who lived full-time in the area. 

Myself, trying to look badass on the ATV

Nevertheless, the thrill was exhilarating and the hour flew by faster than anticipated. We exchanged the ATVs with Jon and Doreen and saw them off. As they rode away, I mentioned to Graham that I hoped they would be okay since I had had a hard time getting used to it while being cautious. Of course, they did not end up okay. Within 10 minutes of riding the ATVs, Doreen went off the dune, crashed into it and flipped off landing on her butt that definitely left her a galaxy-sized bruise in the next couple of days. The rest of their time was spent getting her buggie out of the sand and into the truck back to the rental place to get fixed up. Thankfully, we got the insurance on our ride and didn’t have to pay anything. After everything was sorted out, we left to finally get some food before buying our camping gear.

According to Yelp, we ate at a highly-rated pizza spot in Coos Bay at a dining hall like building with huge vaulted ceilings called, Front Street Provisioners. Not only do they bake wood-fired pizzas, but they also sell high quality wine and artisanal crafts. We start with the Mezze Hummus Plate, freshly made along with their house pickled assortment and woodfired flatbread. The mix of oil, tahini and tangy crunch of the vegetables creating a harmony of flavours on the warm bread are much needed after the afternoon’s ATV ordeal. We each order a pizza to get a taste of everything this place has to offer. Graham and I decide to get the “On the Bay Vongole” an interesting pie with Manila clams, garlic, white wine mascarpone, fermented cherry peppers, lemon; as well as the “Matchmaker” with caramelized onion puree, shaved Brussels sprouts, speck, mozzarella, balsamic caramel. Jon and Doreen get the “Fromage a Trois” which is a pretty self explanatory pizza: bianca with Taleggio, smoked provolone, mozzarella, and Cazz’s raw honey, and finally, they also order “The S&P is Up” with fennel sausage, pepperonata, mozzarella, Grana Padano and rose sauce. We finished every last bite, seeing as the last thing we ate was that McDonald’s breakfast six hours ago.

Mezze Hummus Plate with Pickled Veg

The Matchmaker pizza

On the Bay Vongole Pizza

The S&P is Up Pizza

Once done, we head over to the local Fred Meyer, a gigantic American chain that is a cross between a grocery store, clothing store, pharmacy and outdoor supplies. You name it, they have literally everything! Since we didn’t have enough room to bring our own camping gear from Canada, we bought cheap versions here that we would just give to a woman’s shelter when we got to Graham’s in California. With our shopping trip complete, we finally arrive at our campsite and set up mostly in the dark with the help of our phones’ flashlights. However, we couldn't go to bed before making a quick fire to roast some ooey gooey marshmallows. 

Day 11

Our campsite in the towering trees

Drip, drop as light rain tap the top of our brand new tent waking Graham and me up. Thankfully it was just dew from the tree above us and it wasn’t actually raining. Once we awoke and changed out of our many layers since it was very cold last night, we start to pack up our site so we can hit the road as we have a long drive ahead of us. We are finally getting to our first California stop, Patrick’s Point, a camping spot Graham’s parents have highly recommended to us. With towering trees, this is where they had shot the second film, The Lost World: Jurassic Park.

The drive down was beautiful all along the coast on PCH we could see the ocean for miles and miles. So although we spent a lot of time in the car, at least there was an amazing view. We get to the campsite in late afternoon, set up much quicker than the previous night ‘cause of the practice. Once done, I go to have probably the worst shower of my life in a shack-like washroom with freezing cold water that only comes out if you put coins in the machine. Regardless, it was worth it because this campsite was hands down one of the most beautiful camping spots that I’ve been to in my life.

Please forgive my lack of food pics for this amazing view from PCH

The beautiful Pacific Ocean

Again per Graham’s parents recommendation, we go to a restaurant just south of the campground that they had gone too while Graham’s mom was pregnant with him. The Larrupin’ Cafe, an eclectic house turned restaurant that serves you an appetizer board with every main course you order. It comes with a mix of snacks like apples and local cheese, cucumber with smoked salmon, mustard nuts and figs --- a great start to our dinner. Jon gets the New Zealand Cervena Venison, an organic, grass fed venison served with sherry, bacon, apricot and ginger reduction. Both Doreen and Graham get the Smoked Beef Brisket which is smoked 24-36 hours, then finished on the barbecue with a spicy sauce on top. I get their freshly caught steelhead salmon grilled on their Mesquite barbecue. Each meal is served with a house salad, along with a starch. I get the twice-baked potato, Graham and Doreen get the honey-maple sweet potato and Jon gets the seasonal vegetables. The spread was deliciously heartwarming especially for having to sleep in a tent the previous night, along with later, it felt good to have a substantial meal. Getting back to the campsite, we get ready in our comfy clothes and start a fire to roast some marshmallows, have some drinks and play Uno until we’re tired enough to go to bed. Next stop Napa Valley.