month three: these are a few of my favorite things

McCall, Idaho, on the shore of Payette Lake.

We’ve been on the road for a little more than three months now, during which we’ve been to 17 different states and traveled more than 12,000 miles. Coast to coast, Portland to Portland, Newport to Newport. In honor of our first three months, here are my three favorite…

Neighbors: In Central Point, Oregon, the Ledger David Cellars Tasting Room, Rogue Creamery Cheese Shop and the Lillie Belle Farms Chocolate Shop are next door to each other. Each is worthy of a stop, but together, it’s a trifecta!

Seafood meals: As a favor to you, my faithful readers, I have sampled a lot of fresh seafood so that I can share my findings. My favorites so far: the salmon stuffed with shrimp and crab that I had when we celebrated our 28th anniversary at Vault 244 in Albany, Oregon; the world-famous clam chowder at Mo’s Restaurant in Newport, Oregon; and the lobster roll at Thurston’s Lobster Pound in Bernard, Maine.

Scenic small towns: Historic Jacksonville, Oregon, a charming historic mining town just west of Medford; McCall, Idaho, on the shore of Payette Lake about 100 miles north of Boise; and Bar Harbor, Maine, on Mt. Desert Island, adjacent to Acadia National Park.

Wineries: Airlie Winery in Monmouth and Springhill Cellars in Albany, both part of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and Ste. Chappelle Winery the Snake River Valley in Caldwell, Idaho.

Wildlife spottings: four moose sightings at Taylor Park, the seals at Cape Arago and whale watching at Depoe Bay.

Non-winery tastings: Two Towns Ciderhouse and McMenamin’s Pub (do not try the wine sampler without a designated driver!), both in Corvallis, and the Atlantic Brewing Company in Bar Harbor.

Views from our camper: the River’s End Campground at Taylor Park Reservoir, the White Star Campground at Twin Lakes and the Lakeview Campground at Rifle Gap State Park, all in Colorado.

Funny moments: That terrifying moment when my dog and I realized that there was a meowing parrot loose in the vet’s waiting room. That moment when Scott and I realized we’d been sleeping with the table under our mattress for two nights. That moment when I took off the only souvenir t-shirt that I’ve purchased on this trip and realized that I should have taken the “bright dyes, wash before wearing” tag seriously. I was green for three days.

We are now exploring Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with Virginia and West Virginia to follow. I’m sure we’ll have lots of new favorites soon! Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for more Tales From the Empty Nest.

Say cheese!

The Taylor River

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