Day-05: Oregon Coast, Lighthouses & Youngberg Hill

Monday, September 30, 2013

Up around 6 AM this morning. Weather in Coos Bay was much better this morning, not great but patches of blue sky amongst the heavy clouds. 

After a gourmet Best Western breakfast, we made ready to depart Coos Bay. First stop of the day was to pick-up the ball cap I left at the restaurant last night; didn't want to lose the Foxy's Jost Van Dyke cap. The next stop was at the local Walmart for a cooler and a few other travel necessities. After gassing up the car we departed for the day's journey.

Umpqua River Light

Enjoyed the coastline views in Oregon, very dramatic, heavy surf from the stormy weather, rocky crags to sandy beaches and sand dunes as well. The Oregon coast is loaded with light houses. We stopped at the Umpqua River Light House, stamped the light house passport book and watched for whales. We then passed and photographed the Heceta Head Light House. In passing the "Sea Lion Caves" we decided that we'd save that attraction for the transit back south in a couple of weeks. The coast of Oregon is practically all park land with numerous pull-outs and view points; will look forward to a better day for sightseeing along the coast in a couple of weeks.

Umpqua River Light

Heceta Head Light

Around 1 PM we turned from the beach road and headed inland toward McMinnville, arriving around 2 PM at Youngberg Hill Vineyard and Inn, our home for the night. Entrance to the inn was a long narrow twisting road, not so dissimilar to one experienced in New Zealand at Treetops. We entered through a gate, passed cattle in the fields and by several acres of grape vines geometrically laid out on the hillsides. Ahead at the summit of Youngberg Hill sat the inn.

Welcome To Our Humble Abode"

Youngberg Vineyard & Inn

As we pulled into the entry court, we were met by Colleen, the innkeeper and hostess. She showed us through the inn, explained the various offerings, made dinner reservations for us and upgraded our room; not a bad start. 

The "Inn": Our Room
Upstairs on the left corner

After bringing in our bags and settling in, I grabbed the camera and proceeded down the road from the inn. The road between the inn and the gate was later described by the owner as one mile down and three miles back up in referring to degree of energy needed for the trek. Anyway, I did get pictures and tasted a Pinot grape or two in order to restore my energy for the climb back up the hill. 

It's About The Grapes.
Pinot Noir

Just after 4 PM we joined with other guests in the inn's tasting room where we met Wayne Bailey, the Youngberg owner and chief winemaker. Wayne, a mechanical engineer from Iowa talked about the vineyard and served up samples of the Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir wines produced at Youngberg. At the tasting we met three other couples who were staying over for the night:

Youngberg Tasting Room

• Anita & Roger from Bandon, OR
• Jona & Howie  from Canandaiagua, NY
• Bonnie & Mike from Victoria, BC

All were interesting in some way or another.

Youngberg Wines

For dinner we proceeded into McMinnville to Nick's Italian Cafe (I'm not making this up). After a shared salad I had spaghetti and meatballs, topped with a red sauce with a "kick". Sheila had a pizza with Gorgonzola, caramelized onions and pear slices. Good recommendation by Colleen.

D.J. Kitty "In The House"
GO RAYS!

We returned to the inn and were met by a small herd of deer at the entry gate. It was as if they knew where to go in for a feast of grapes but they didn't know the passcode for opening the gate. Anyway we proceeded to the inn and then into the TV room to watch the Rays take the play-in game from the Rangers. D.J. Kitty was "in the house" for the victory; GO RAYS!






After a late night glass of wine and a sampling of chocolate brownie cookies, it was time to say good night.