We are back in The Pearl, we drove home Tuesday from Florence – it was such a peaceful and enjoyable trip.

Last Friday we started the day with breakfast at The Blue Ox Cafe in the Redwood National Park. I was fancying pancakes, a once a year or so desire, and remembered that when we were in the Redwoods many years ago I had pancakes at this cafe.

We drove a bit then ended up on De Martin beach for a sketch, Tricia took photos. More sea stacks.

Saturday morning we drove from Klamath, CA to Gold Beach in Oregon. We went down to the beach, so beautiful and so windy – 17mph with gusts to 24mph. I sat on a rock to sketch yet more sea stacks. The wind blew sand in my face and on the paper, it was strong enough that a couple of times it moved the wet paint on the paper. One of the things I like about plein air painting is being part of the elements. That evening we sat on the deck and watched the boats on the river and the sunset.

We stumbled upon quite a find in Gold Beach, which would not be thought of as a food destination. Yet we found a restaurant worth the drive from Portland, Spinner’s.

For years our benchmark restaurant has been the Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive in Bow, WA. We compare other restaurants to it, we have found a few that come close in Europe, and fewer here. Spinner’s, we both agreed, is equivalent. It is family owned and the chef not only went to culinary school but has worked at Higgins, one of the premier restaurants here in Portland. The first night we just had shrimp and oysters – quite different than the presentation I wrote about last week.

It was so good we went back the next day. We had clams, and we both agreed they were the best steamed clams ever. While we were there we met the chef who showd us his special for the evening, oh my, we were wishing we had not already eaten. We will be back, that is for sure, since we have been looking for a place for birthdays, etc.

Sunday we had a picnic on Ophir Beach, just north of Gold Beach.

Monday morning we drove to Florence and had quite a day. We arrived at lunch time and found the Homegrown Public House, a rustic place with great food. Alisa, our server, recommended the spicy fish tacos, how could I resist. Tricia had a mushroom flatbread that I know she will be writing about in the future.

After lunch we explored the town, stopping at a few unique shops. One was the Brass Bell. The owner had a Giannini guitar that comes from Brazil. She said I was only the fourth person she has let play it, I was honored, she even liked my short riff. Tricia took a video.

For happy hour on Monday we went to Waterfront Depot Restaurant. It is a small rustic, incredibly popular place, we did find seats at the bar. We shared a plate of grilled oysters, hard to beat that. This is a place to go back to when we are down this way, not quiet and relaxing, but with a good energy and great staff.

We had a trip full of the things we like, driving and exploring, walks, and of course wonderful food. Back in The Pearl we are cooking and getting back into the swing of things. Today I am trying shrimp and polenta cakes, will see how it goes.

October colors are in full swing, so get out and enjoy (spring for our friends down under). Find some good food, and of course capture the moment in your sketchpad.

Today Tricia is posting about our lunches in Paris, some great stuff there.

In my Tuesday post I gave a tutorial on sketching sea stacks, if you missed it here is the link.