Grant's Pass, Oregon (part II)

On my second full day in Oregon, I set out with my camera to see what the downtown core had to offer. I had only gone a few blocks when a shady-looking man in an even shadier-looking car pulled over. He had spotted my camera and decided to make small talk by asking if I worked for the local newspaper. When I told him no (and backed away a few steps), he asked what I was taking pictures of.
I was a bit leary.

"Oh, ya know, here and there, this and that."

"Oh, a visitor! Where ya from?"

"Canada."

'Canada! Well! Welcome to Grant's Pass! I hope you enjoy your stay!"
and he promptly smiled a huge smile, waved a little, and drove away.

As it turned out, I was the shady one.

America: 4, Canada: 2

Meanwhile, in downtown Grant's pass...

 

By about ten a.m., I found myself here...

...where James introduced me to phosphate soda or "phosphates" which sold for a quarter each and to which you were limited a maximum of four. One was plenty. I could feel my teeth rotting and my insulin levels working overtime. PERFECT. It also allowed us the time and brain power to formulate the plan for the day. Pacific Coast? I think so.

We ended up in a place called Harris Beach. It's on the west coast of Oregon, but to get there involves a drive through northern California. Well... I guess so... if we must... *sigh*

America: 4, Canada: 3

Photography pit stop:

and ta da! Feet in the Pacific Ocean!

It was a bit foggy when we arrived. I was told there was a large rock out there, big enough to be considered an island. Hmm... okay. I'll go with that.

 

A good climb over some rocks...

and out comes the sun!
What it uncovered was absolutely amazing.

 

 

including a large rock, big enough to be considered an island.

America: 5, Canada: 3

 

The road back to Grant's Pass was somehow even more spectacular than it was on the way down. 

"Does this look like a good spot to stop?"

"Yessir, it does!"

Smith River, California

The water was actually that colour. I can't stress it enough. That's not a Photoshop job.

It was breathatking.

That evening, we intended to just lay low. James got his end-game kill on WoW and I chased this pretty lady around the house with my camera until she got sick of me.

Shortly before dark, plans changed, and we were back in the truck, making our way back up into the mountains where, to my absolute delight, this awaited:

I met some new people, tried some new things, and tried to count the millions of stars that were visible from just out of range of the light of the flames. I also got in a bit of mudding with my newly-titled second-favourite Oregonian!

It really was that dark, that dirty, and that bumpy so what you see is the only shot I've got, but it was a ridiculous amount of fun!

The next morning, I woke up early, had breakfast and then promptly fell back asleep until about eleven o'clock. I spent the next little bit foraging for coffee, (Dutch Brothers! I'm taking a point for finding the place by myself this time) and then we went on a (successful) hunt for a souvenir Grant's Pass shot glass. It was threatening to rain so I took a few shots outside...

 ...then we settled in for some WoW, wings, and shenanigans with a USB missile launcher for my last day on the American west coast.

America: 5, Canada: 4