Day One - How it all began [August 21, 2004]
Starting City: Hillsboro, OR
Ending City: Brookings, OR
Total Miles: 350 (approx)

Started the much-awaited trip around 10am on a beautiful Saturday morning. Had to drive a few miles on Hwy 26 before reaching the legendary Hwy 1. Started our actual Hwy 1 trip near Cannon Beach. Although we checked our baggage thoroughly, we inevitably forgot some essentials including coats, warm clothing and blankets! That mistake did not completely dawn on us until later that day when it started raining heavily and the weather got a lot colder. We were reluctant to get off the car at some of the beautiful spots along the Oregon coast for the same reason. We did stop at a few places daring the chilly winds though.

Oregon Sea Lion Caves was a nice mini-stop where we got to go down an elevator dug right into the World's largest sea cave. Although there weren't a lot of sea lions (not the perfect time of the year), we got to see a dozen or so playful sea lions. We also had a gorgeous view of the Heceta Head lighthouse from inside the caves.

Sea Lions Caves Fare: 7.50$ per person.

We briefly stopped near the pretty town of Depoe Bay, OR and its charming harbor (the world's smallest!).

We had to skip a few other attractions (because of the rain) including the Dune rides in Florence, Rogue River Jet Boat rides in Gold Beach and the beautiful coastline north of Gold Beach. We promised ourselves to come back on another trip to visit those places!
We decided to camp that night in Gold Beach, OR but unfortunately all the hotels were completely full. After driving in pitch-black fog almost blindly for 50 or so miles, we could finally find a place in Brookings, OR. The place wasn't great or cheap but we were relieved to have found something to crash on for the night in Brookings, OR.

Lodging: Pacific Sunset Inn, Brookings, OR
Cost of lodging: 73$ (not worth it!)


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