In Italy it's called Firenze

So, here we are in Florence, Oregon, about half way along the coastline and I have come to a few conclusions about Oregon since we began, and most of them are good. Oh, by the way, excuse the paucity of pictures in this posting, but I only have a crappy ethernet connection in this otherwise fine hostelry. So, electronically I feel like I'm stuck in about 1977.

Anyway, Oregon conclusions. Highway 101 is amazingly scenic, but so much for my preconception that the crowds would disappear after Labor Day. Congested and a pretty rudimentary road to boot would pretty much cover it. However, that is not a negative. The vistas are spectacular and periodically they are punctuated by pastoral agricultural (hmm, think that's redundant) regions.

Other conclusions include the fact that Oregon is truly a tourism oriented state, and every attempt is made to render a stay a charming one. There is also a huge bonus to an Oregon visit: No Sales Tax! If something is posted as costing $3.95 it will cost $3.95 at the till, not $270, as might be the case in BC with all its hideous taxation ripoffs. Uh-oh, feel curmudgeonliness coming on.

Anyway, yesterday we drove from charming Cannon Beach to equally charming (but different) Florence. We made a brief stop at Tillamook so we could experience the ritual cutting of the cheese, and also to sample some mighty fine ice cream. Actually, we bought about 17 pounds of Tillamook Cheese, which is practically free compared with what we'd pay at home.

In Florence, one partakes of the splendors of sand dunes that go on forever and they are magnificent beyond compare. In answer to Bibi, we were going to do the ATV dune buggy thing, and then just decided we didn't feel like the noise this morning. The hike and fresh air did it for us. But, we may on our way out as we head to Brookings down near the California state line.

So, the weather is splendid, Old Town Florence (where we are staying) is cool, and the river breeze is refreshing. All is good at the moment, and I''ll be back soon. Thank you for your thoughts on the last posting.