THE CAT RALLY, NEWPORT, OR

July 28 – August 1, 2010

We made our way up Hwy-101 through the fog and mist of a normal summer day on the coast. Some of the beaches we saw through the fog were broad and sandy while other beaches were down steep rocky cliffs. All very scenic and all very interesting. The little town of Waldport was especially attractive and would be a good place to camp for a few days on a bright sunny day, but not today. Newport is quite a large town and really congested; it must drive the locals mad trying to maneuver around all the tourists. When we arrived in the Outdoor Resorts Pacific Shores Resort we were given an excellent space on a concrete pad with 50 amp electric and lushly landscaped surroundings - quite a difference from our previous stay.

It was nice meeting up with many of our friends in the CAT Club, many of whom we haven’t seen in a year or more. BTW, “CAT Club” is short for “Caterpillar RV Engine Owners Club,” a chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA). The club was formed in 2003 and now has over 1200 coaches which probably means close to 2400 people. Our friends Brett & Dianne Wolfe and Beau & (Miss) Kitty Speed were here as well, although this time most of the meals were provided by the Club so we weren’t able to continue our gourmet dinners in the coaches.

One day, we and the Speeds went to Fishtails for lunch, with the recommendation that we try the Slumgullion. Wow, it was so delicious! Shrimp, topped with cheese, topped with clam chowder, topped with more cheese and baked until golden brown. Definitely not low-cal, but worth the splurge!

It is really unfortunate that the Caterpillar Company decided to quit supplying engines for trucks and RV’s due to the extreme cost of developing engines to comply with the 2010 EPA requirements for diesel engines. Redesigning engines for the 2007 EPA requirements was significant enough but the 2010 regulations were the final straw and this giant company just said “no more” and quit the business, which was only a small part of their total anyway. That leaves the CAT Club with considerably less sponsorship for now and leaves the Cummins Engine Co. in the cat-bird seat in the RV business.

So on Friday, July 30, we gathered a small group in the Speeds’ coach and had a surprise birthday party for your humble servant, complete with Beau’s champagne, funny hats and birthday signs on the walls. Fran brought appetizers and Miss Kitty made chicken tortilla soup and salad. The Fire Marshall wouldn’t allow all the required number of candles but the Italian Cream Cake, homemade by Dianne, was great. It was a terrific party with good food and good friends, even if they couldn’t sing a lick; thanks y’all!

We did take some time off from the Rally to see the movie “SALT,” where Angelina Jolie took the role written for Tom Cruise and ran away with it. We all liked it very much – two thumbs-up!

Back in the 1870’s Newport was becoming a major seaport on the Pacific coast and the port decided to build a lighthouse marking the entrance to the Yaquina River Harbor channel, but as soon as it was built, it became evident that southbound ships could not see the light so within two years the Yaquina Headlands Lighthouse was built, much higher and with the most powerful light on the Oregon coast.

 

On the waterfront, it looks like the Sea Lions have taken over some of the floats much as in San Francisco, and they have become a major tourist attraction with their barking, playing and even fighting. 

 Many of the fishing boats have their fresh fish and crab for sale right off the boats.

Getting tired of the cold and overcast weather on the coast we looked forward to moving inland where we could find warmer weather, so it is off to the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, OR! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bye