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Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Flag Season


Summer is Oregon's Flag Season.

After eight months of rainy weather, roads are pounded day and night by water, wind, debris, hail and snow.  By summer, these roads need help.

Hence, delays and detours on  major highways and on country roads.

Here we are on Hwy 101, going south from Port Orford, to Gold Beach, 24 miles away, and we met three interruptions, each time with a waiting of fifteen minutes or more.

This trip was recreational, and didn't have any time constraints. These views kept us entertained and relaxed while waiting to resume our driving.  Some people pulled off the road and parked to enjoy these vistas.

This is the view of Port Orford from the highway. Most days, it is this clear over Coast Guard Hill. The marine layer that gathers on the horizon is blown away by constant winds,from the south in  winter, and from the north in  summer. 

People always wear windbreakers in this town.

Tomorrow, when we drive to Eugene for our medical procedure, we need to allot more than three hours to make the 150 miles trip. Country roads are usually two lanes, one in each direction. Even a small repair can take time.  This year and last Federal recovery funds are financing bridge repairs as well. We will have to budget many delays.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very nice.
Stopping to relax to watch such locations are always excellent specially when traveling Highway.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a nice journey...

#1Nana said...

Wishing you the best in your medical travels...not the best reason to take a trip!

Your pictures of the coast are beautiful. We really are blessed in Oregon to have such beauty.

Rob-bear said...

In our part of Canada, we have five seasons: Almost winter, Winter, Still winter, Getting nicer, and Road Construction. It seems you also have the last one in Oregon, too.

I hope your travels and medical concerns go well

RNSANE said...

Such spectacular scenery! It's nice not to have to be in a hurry so that road delays don't create stress. One must worry about those for whom this is not the case. Safe travels to Eugene!

Natalie said...

It is lucky the view is so spectacular methinks.xx

Diana said...

What a gorgeous view! We have a lot road repair this time of year as well...a big change from San Diego, where the weather is conducive most of the time.

Wishing you well tomorrow!

Brian Miller said...

at least you had great views...beautiful pics...they are working on al the roads around here too it seems...might as well make it a day trip to go into town...smiles.

Arkansas Patti said...

Medical trips are never fun but at least you have beautiful scenery. Hope you don't have many flag wavers. I got caught by one yesterday that was a 20 minute delay in 103 temps. Only thing worse was being the poor flagman.

Woman in a Window said...

It's funny to me that it depends on our state of mind how we receive road blocks, metaphorical or literal. On any given day I might react differently based on where I'm going and where I'm coming from, again, metaphorically or literally. I think all in all I just need to learn to slow down and receive the vistas along the way.

xo on your health. Drive safe.

xo
erin

mermaid gallery said...

You always have to take road construction into consideration when traveling in the summer. The secret is to not be in a hurry. Great views like that sure help.....

NitWit1 said...

I always assume road construction when allotting time for a long trip

However the TARP funds are providing financing for some much needed infrastructure repairs everywhere. We've had a 4 month delay crossing Bull Shoals Dam where some kind of work was being done on the generators the flood gates, everything.

I guess it provides 4 months of work for somebody, and it was probably work delayed for lack of funding.

Some TARP funds have been for projects which on the surface seem frivilous, but then lots of this type of funding is misused. Goes with the territory I guess.

Wander to the Wayside said...

I'm always stunned by the beauty of that area, and hope to see it one day. If you have to be in a delayed traffic zone, you couldn't ask for a better view.

Don't know what the medical procedure is, but I wish you the best!

Unknown said...

I think I've said before, the views traveling along the coast of Oregon are the most beautiful in the country!

ellen abbott said...

beautiful scenery.

decomondo said...

My best wishes for your medical check-up; hugs.

Unknown said...

It's all that money for road repairs Obama put out there! Frankly, I'm glad most states are doing the repairs in the summer... can you imagine sitting in a snow storm or on icy roads?

Amanda Summer said...

growing up in minnesota we had a saying: there are only two seasons here -- winter and road construction.

sending loving thoughts that the medical procedures go swimmingly xoxo

What About The Girl? said...

After months of rainy weather, you deserve sunshine!
I never get tired of the ocean...the bubbly waves, the smell, the fresh salt wind...the blue, the green.....

rjerdee said...

What gorgeous vistas along your highway...I'm not surprised with all that weather pounding along the west coast that the edges get worn away...
Have a good and safe trip to Eugene. I'm sure you'll enjoy the views...

Rachel Cotterill said...

If you're going to be delayed, you could do worse than that view ;)

potsoc said...

All over the place around here we are doing road and bridge repair. We also have short fall, long winter, not much spring and road construction. Fortunately since most people are, at one time or another, on vacxation and elsewhere, it is not so bad.
Nice trip to Eugene and good luck with the teeth.

Sheri said...

oh my, i know this full well! as a teen my family would go to gold beach and i love this area!!! your shots brought back of world of memories that i'll cherish forever...kentucky is a long ways from the beach ;)

yaya said...

We have orange barrel season here! But as the other posts state..what a great view to enjoy while sitting. I've never been to Oregon but sure do have a desire to visit now!

the walking man said...

Pshaw...Michigan has been orange barrel capitol of the world for fifty years. Relax the drives are easier when calm and get well.

Butternut Squash said...

I was just traveling 101 a few days ago with my family. We were way down past Crescent city to see the 'Trees of Mystery.' It was beautiful but very cool especially at night. We have now returned to the hot and humid midwest. Best wishes for your healthy travels.