Oregon–the house

The day after Sue and Mal had returned to the UK we treated Denny, Jay and Annabel to a roadtrip south – down to Oregon, somewhere none of us had been before and we had heard the coastline was beautiful.

The drive was easy and painless.  We had to get out at the border for the Brits to complete their visa waivers and get finger printed then stopped for a hearty pancake breakfast in Bellingham.  We continued through the centre of Seattle on I5, luckily missing the worst of the rushhour then down through rural South-West Washington and across the Columbia River into Portland, Oregon. From here we continued through the city alongside the Willamette River before heading West stopping for supplies at McMinnville, the last reasonable size town before hitting the coast.

Denny and Jay are not huge fans of the heat and at this point they were looking a little uncomfortable as it was 33 degrees in McMinnville.  However, the cool coast effect soon kicked in and by the time we reached the house it was well under 20 degrees, under what we discovered is common coast fog.

We left home at about 7.30am and with plenty of breakfast, bathroom and supermarket breaks we arrived at our destination shortly after 4pm.

The house we rented was situated in a small private subdivision on the edge of the village of Neskowin, about 15 minutes drive North of Lincoln City or just south of Pacific City for those that know the area.  About, 1/3rd of the way down the Oregon Coast for those that don’t !

Designed and built by the current owner in 2008 the home was a very contemporary concrete construction, perched right on the cliff-edge, about 180ft above the bay and crashing waves below. The listing looked good but in reality the location was absolutely stunning.

The home was accessed down a very steep private driveway, not suitable for those who dislike tough hill-starts in the car !

We walked up to the head of the peninsula across the bay and got these views of the house from the ocean side.  All principle rooms enjoyed panoramic views of the bay and the ocean as the west side of the house was just a wall of windows.  Accessed off the lower deck was the hot tub.

The small cluster of houses at the end of the cul-de-sac with Neskowin beach visible in the background – the beach was about a 10-15 minute walk or just a couple of minutes in the car.

Panoramic view of the coastline, with our house in the foreground, Neskowin Beach and Proposal Rock beyond and then the long sandy beaches of Bob Straub State Park further along.

The kitchen, dining room, both living rooms and bedrooms looked out over these great views with the constant sound of the ocean below.

The sound of the waves from the deck.

Mojo liked the cool, polished-concrete floor to sleep on but wasn’t so impressed with the enclosed balconies replacing a large fenced yard, not quite as much fun.  Oh well, at least there was a big flat sandy beach to run around on nearby.

The house had a reverse plan so you accessed on the upper floor which had a large ‘great room’ layout with an open kitchen, dining room and family room all access the decks and views.

The family room end of the upper floor.

A powder room completed the upper floor.

Downstairs were two identical master bedroom suites.

Each with their own large en-suite shower rooms and walk-in closets – this house was a great layout for two couples sharing.

Between the two bedrooms was a second family room with a huge sofa which doubled up as Annabels bed.

We had a meal out one evening but otherwise relied on David and Dennys culinary expertise – this restaurant had the best view in town !

More Whistler Bears

Whistler, BC is located right in the middle of a bear migratory route and so see perhaps more than it’s share of big-furry residents.  When loading our recent bear video onto Youtube I spotted a couple of other excellent videos as they hangout with the locals. 

The gas station video is great, not sure I’d want to be the owner of the green car in the 2nd one though !

Sue finally gets to Whistler !

This was Davids mum’s 7th visit to Canada since we have been here, each time we have planned a trip to the resort town of Whistler and there always seems to be an obstacle stopping the visit from happening – the weather wasn’t good enough, we didn’t have time with other things planned or work commitments, concerned not enough shady parking for Charlie/Mojo.

However, on this visit the stars aligned and we finally made it the 1hr30 minute drive to Whistler for a day trip.

Sues friend Mal and her friend Bridget came over and picked up Sue so that the rest of us could travel together.  We stopped for photos at Porteau Cove on the way. Here are a couple of panorama photos taken using the Photosynth App on the iPhone.

Annabel in Porteau Cove.

The whole Fowler family, Denny, Jay and Annabel.

After our stop in Porteau Cove we continue through Squamish up into Whistler village.  From previous visits with my parents we knew of underground parking beneath The Brewhouse, which at $15/day is no bargain but worth every penny when you need to keep a car parked with an Australian Shepherd and the forecast is 30+ degree temps !

As we walk through the village Annabel spots the various wood carvings of different local animals.

We make our way through the village, doing a little shopping for some new sunglasses for Annabel.  Denny, Jay and Annabel in Whistler Village.

We stop for lunch at a local pub then jump on the Whistler Village Gondala which takes us up to Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain, which sits at 1,850m/6,069ft. From this point there is a steep gravel walk to an open chairlift which takes us to the very peak of Whistler Mountain.

Bridget, Mal, David, Jay and Denny as we walk towards the station for the Peak Express chairlift.

Jay, Denny and David on the Peak Express

Bridget and Mal on the chair behind us.

There were terrific views on the way up to Whistler Peak.

Video as we take the Peak Express chairlift to Whistler Peak.

The Peak Express chairlift takes us up another 1,000ft to 2,182m/7,087ft and provides astounding views over the surrounding valleys and mountain peaks.

The peaks of nearby Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Whistler is a key ski and snowboard destination in North America during winter and in the summer becomes a mecca for hiking and mountain biking. Here are walkers on the High Note Trail.

Views towards the South East.

Views towards the South West over Whistler Village down in the valley with Alta Lake to the left of the village and appropriately named Green Lake to the right.

The top of the Roundhouse Lodge at the top of the Whistler Gondola and where the Peak-2-Peak gondola commences.

The Inukshuk at Whistler Peak with the peak of Black Tusk in Garibaldi Provincial Park in the background.

After views and photos at Whistler Peak we take the Whistler Express chairlift back down to Roundhouse Lodge.  Views from the chairlift on the way back down.

The ski runs of the neighbouring Blackcomb Mountain from the Whistler Express chairlift.

Myself, Jay and Denny

We walk back along the steep gravel trail back to Roundhouse Lodge.

Back at Roundhouse Lodge we get onto the Peak-2-Peak Gondola which will take us right across Fitzsimmon Valley to Blackcomb Mountain in the worlds longest unsupported gondola with over 3km between cable towers.

We are a group of eight and the mountain is quite quiet so we enjoy a whole gondola to ourselves.

Annabel and Sue

Mal, Annabel and Jay take in the views.

There are great views to the North from the Peak-2-Peak Gondola.

And great views to the South down Fitzsimmon Valley from our gondola, almost half a kilometre above the valley floor.

More views, we’re on the lookout for bears too as we’ve always previously been lucky seeing them in Whistler.

Eventually we reach Blackcomb Mountain.  Sue here relaxing beside the woodcarvings and taking a break in the heat – even here at 6,000ft it’s still 25 degrees !

Annabel

Our family photo atop Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler.

We take in the views and walk around Blackcomb before making our way towards the cafe for drinks

After refreshments we make our way towards the Solar Coaster Express chairlift to start our descent back towards Whistler Village.

Sue and David on the Solar Coaster Express chairlift on Blackcomb Mountain.

Jay, Annabel and Denny are on the chair behind us, and Mal and Bridget on the one behind that.

It turns out our bear-spotting luck hadn’t run out, soon on the Solar Coaster Express chairlift we spot a black bear ahead of us, our lift is going to go right over the top of him.

About halfway down the mountain, delighted at our wildlife spotting we all change onto the final chairlift that will take us back to the village, the Wizard Express. 

Once back in the village I run and collect Mojo so has been waiting very patiently in the car for us.  I walk him back through the throngs of tourists and meet up with the rest of the group who have found a couple of great tables on the edge of a great patio.  The intention was for Mojo to wait outside the patio walls while we have a drink. 

Somehow I have ended up outside the patio while Mojo is in the pub !

After our excellent afternoon in Whistler we make our way back towards home, stopping for a photo op at Brandywine Falls (wrong time of day for the sun, much better visited in the morning).

We enjoyed a fantastic day out together, weather, wildlife spotting and scenery couldn’t have been better, all rounded off with Chinese from our favourite takeaway.  A great day out !