Whew! It was close but, when the discussion looked like it would take me away from another sunset, I pouted and got my way.
September Sunset
So I started dinner (microwave pot pies) and watched the sun level through our RV windows. We have a “peak” through the trees. In some spots we can actually see a section of the ocean from our RV. But the sun isn’t setting in that spot this month. So, at the appropriate time, Don said “You’d better go! We’ll eat when you get back.”
Green Flash
There were only 2 other people on the beach. The others were probably enjoying the sunset from their campsite. This is one of the reasons people camp in Tillicum.
The smell of bacon and coffee from the beach.
This morning is clear and cool. The wind must be blowing from the east. I can smell coffee and bacon way out on the beach!
Out of all the campground smells, I’ll miss those the most.
It think we’re getting some smoke from the Sisters wild-fire out here on the Oregon coast.
I can see blue sky above me but the horizons are fuzzy. Fog doesn’t usually turn the sunrise orange so I’m thinking it is smoke.
Smokey Sunrise
This is only a 6.1 foot high tide. The waves haven’t come near the bluff on Tillicum Beach since June. This pic is just around the corner from the north stairway.
Tillicum Beach – Changing Tides
Tillicum Campground’s appeal are the beachfront sites. We try to keep all three loops open as long as we have enough customers to warrant keeping the 3 restrooms clean (this isn’t the only campground we have to provide for). September is a pretty popular month with the RVers.
Tillicum Campground in September
Tillicum Beach Campground is a US Forest Service campground that is open year-round. We honor the Senior and Access passes.
Tillicum has 7 electric/water sites. Tillicum is about a mile south of Beachside State Park, between Waldport and Yachats.
Sutton Campground, near Florence, has 20 electric sites and is also open year-round. All sites are first-come-first-served from Labor Day until May.
Smokey Sunset
Today was beautiful and the smoke produced a beautiful sunset.
Campground Status:
Blackberry (Alsea River, east of Waldport) – open year-round
Tillicum Beach (Hwy 101, between Waldport and Yachats) – open year-round
Cape Perpetua (Hwy 101, south of Yachats) – closed Sept 23, until mid-May 2013
Rock Creek (Hwy 101, north of Washburn State Park) – closed Sept 23, until mid-May 2013
Horse Creek (FR 58, east of Seal Lion Caves) – equestrian facilities open year-round
Alder Dune (Hwy 101, north of Florence) – open year-round
Sutton Campground (Hwy 101, north of Florence) – open year-round
I had to talk to a picnicker today about where he was having his lunch. I started remembering other times when people weren’t familiar with different aspects of campground etiquette. They seem like common sense to me but maybe that’s because I learned them as a child. Maybe these things will be helpful to you who are either new to camping/RVing or new to the USA camping culture.
1. Basics: Do not annoy other campers. A “good” camper is self-sufficient, quiet, only uses the area they pay for and leaves the site as clean or cleaner than they found it.
2. Respect other camper’s space; whether they are present or not. Don’t walk through a campsite that you have not rented unless you are invited. Just because the renter is not in the campsite at the moment, does not mean you can use it until they get back. That would be like someone sitting down at your dinner table while you are in the restroom.
3. Don’t use soap (of any kind) or leave food waste at the water faucets. It attracts animals (from mice to bears).
4. Use flush toilets for human waste and toilet paper only. Flush toilets in campgrounds can handle the toilet paper supplied but cannot handle feminine products or “flushable wipes”. This is because the septic systems are usually not as robust as a city sewer system. We have noticed that campers, from countries that do not have good sewer systems, put their used toilet paper in the garbage can or on the floor. If this describes you, be assured that our toilets are always designed to accommodate used toilet paper. (Kleenex is not toilet paper.)
5. Pit/vault or portable toilets should be used in the same manner as flush toilets. You may think, “hhmm, big hole, no plumbing issues here.” However, the hose used to pump the waste out of these toilets will get clogged if there is garbage, rocks or other non-biodegradable debris in the tank. (By “biodegradable” I mean within a couple weeks, not years.)
6. Pay your fees before you camp. You wouldn’t wait until you are leaving the theater before you pay for the movie, would you?
7. “Green” wood does not burn; it just smokes a lot. If the stick snaps, cracks and breaks, it will burn. “Green” wood refers to wood cut from a tree that was recently alive. Depending on the area climate, it could take a year for the wood to dry out enough to use in a campfire.
8. Nails from pallets don’t burn and they are difficult to remove. So, if you must burn pallets, remove all the nails first. (RIGHT! That’s why most campgrounds don’t let you burn pallets. You may try showing them the huge magnet that you’ll use after the firepit cools though.)
9. Look up before you set up your tent. A tree that is leaning, especially if it is uprooted, is a hazard.
These are not in order of importance. Some may be stating the obvious but, like I said, things that are common sense to some are not so obvious to others.
