LONG, NOT SO SCENIC DRIVE

We left Lemolo Lake this morning and it was very smoky due to a fire now raging in the Yreka area on the California/Oregon border. Seems like every summer there is a fire somewhere to worry about. We could smell smoke in the air, even though the fire is miles away from us. Hoping that they get it contained soon.

We traveled down highway 138, which is the Umpqua Scenic Byway, but it wasn't very scenic most of the way. Due to the recent fires, a huge area of the forest was completely destroyed. So many trees lost, so sad to drive down the highway and see nothing but the skeletal remains of thousands of pine trees.

Eventually we reached Rosburg and highway 42/99 and made our way to the 101 and the Oregon Coast. It's very cool here, about 67 degrees right now, and the sky above us is blue. No smoke here except from the campers next door. We're looking forward to a cool night's sleep without air conditioning.

We haven't done much because we arrived so late this afternoon, but tomorrow we are going to explore the Lighthouse and the beach.