Ok, since it's a little early to find out what the actual weather will be when we are there for the Rally, I was wondering if some of you old rally pro's would tell us first timers what kind of weather you have had in past years. What about wind? Bugs?

Any must brings?, Must see's? Must do's?

For the other first timers/newbies if you think of a question, jump in and ask....... Robin

Nancy will be sending out an e-mail later to everyone that's registered reminding everyone of things to bring. We've had the gambit of weather. Last year it was cool .. a few sprinkles in the mornings, rain at night, but no damp spirits! First year out of five like that. The second year it was HOT. So, typical Oregon weather... you get what you get.

Fortunately, there's usually a breeze at the beach so mosquitoes aren't much of a problem, but bring bug spray just in case. We don't need screen rooms because slugs don't fly! If I was to tell you to bring one thing, it would be a bicycle. The park is quite large and you won't want to walk A Loop to C Loop more than twice. But you can bike everywhere. The campground is actually a bit inland, so the bike makes it faster/easier to get to the water... and the lighthouse.

See this topic too: Attractions & Things to Do

Thanks Donna, I figured info would come out about things for the Rally. I can hang with weather changes, I live in Colorado. Don't like the weather wait 5 minutes.

Slug's? Ewwww. Well at least the dogs will be entertained. Thanks Again, Robin

slugs are fun..

I really enjoyed last year. "mild" would be the perfect term.

Despite the rain at nite.. (who cares, thats what we bought rolling roofs for) it was very comfortable and only a light jacket or hoody was needed to be plenty warm.

Gina, I am at the age that I prefer cooler.................. If ya know what I mean . Robin

Here on Whidbey Island we are slug-huggers, and practice catch & release slug management.

We've learned that slugs play an important part of the ecology of native habitat.. and as we all know, they love urban-ized gardens too.

Everyone has their slug stories. One guy I know thoroughly hates slugs. A long yellow banana slug once cost him about $20,000. Slipping on the slimy critter as he hurriedly skipped down wet steps, he ended up with a double-fracture of his leg. No health insurance... out of work 8 weeks.

Still, catch & release is easy... just go out on a damp evening. Wear gloves. Pick 'em up 'n put 'em in a bucket. Then walk down the street away from any gardens. Release. If'n there are any ducks or crows nearby, they'll love 'em. Otherwise the slugs will slither into the woods, eat mushrooms, and make great forest compost.

Long live banana slugs!!!

LOL

Oh, I meant to add: THANKS for starting this thread about what to expect in Bandon. We are newbies there too and any info is helpful. Nice to hear that mozzies weren't a problem, but that must have been a dry season. I wonder what they're like this year???!!!

HeathGal, your Welcome at our site any time to catch your friends......................... Just make sure they go home with you. . I don't hate them as long as they don't fall out of trees! But I don't care to be stepping on them either.

As for this post, hopefully others will think of things they want to ask. Or things they want to mention (like the slugs!) Robin

There is a hefty army of racoon's that do slug patrol when campers aren't leaving them goodies to pilfer.

Slugs are very useful. If you have to trek to the bathroom in the morning, you don't need to use precious energy lifting your head and opening your eyes wide to find it.

Just slump down, keep your eyes halfway open stance.. and follow the slug trails.

PS, leaving the cat at home will prevent major slug sighting trauma.

Ambassedors of the Oregon Gathering welcome you!

Geeeeeee, can't wait to see what my dog's are gonna think of those! This will be interesting........


I have a question though, Every year the weather is different, Right? So hopefully every year there aren't slugs, Right? LOL.............

I think last year, we didn't see a single slug at the event. It was dry enough that slugs don't like it. We did see lots of mosquito's, squirrels, a raccoon or two and lots of birds. I like the video of the slugs Gina. I don't think you need to worry about them too much Robin. Now your dogs might like to meet a skunk which like to come around the campgrounds.

I had a Springer Spaniel that LOVED to go scoop slugs up under her nose and flip them into the air like a ball. It was a hoot, and horrifying to watch.

I miss that dog. Except for when she did that.

That is absolutely DISGUSTING!!!!! I'm glad I'm in a trailer and not a tent and I am NOT going barefoot!

Ask Gina about the magic recipe for washing dogs who get involved with skunks! I have a pack of supplies in a ziplock bag that stays in the trailer just in case!

1 gallon warmish water
1 quart hydrogen peroxide
1 cup dish washing liquid (Old husband tale says it has to be "Dawn" dish washing liquid, but I found that just about any kind works)

Do not premix, it is only effective for about 1/2 hour before it's magic healing powers are defunct.

Pre wet dog with warm water. Soak dog thoroughly in concoction. Sponge it on thick and let it get down to the skin.

Let dog sit for 15 mins (If you can LOL!) and rinse.

Walla.. unstinky dog.. skunky smell never to return.

You really have more to worry about with racoons than slugs. You can get out of the way of a slug.. they aren't exactly swift when in attack mode. The coons at the park are people savy and can be aggressive, so you want to watch with your dogs. If they are chasers, it's best to bring them in at nite and keep an eye on them while they are tied up.

I had them all around and trying to get UNDER my tent the first year I went. They climbed on and scratched my car last year.

and Lisa, I don't want to hear any complaints from a state that sports THIS fine creature ... that could wear a saddle.

uck.. give me slugs any day. This is the king of ugly!

All I can say is this is gonna be interesting. I have Doxie's and they are hunters by nature. But they are always on leashes so I will have some sense of control.......... ( yeah, right) . Coon's don't bother me, so much, I can at least see them. When we owned a resort, we had a wild turkey decide to stay............. I said, Oh NO! But the guest were like don't be mean, let the turkey stay.......Fast forward a week or two........... They finally agreed with me. Only after the " darn" thing got on top of several coaches and walked around all night. I swear I didn't put him up there . He was cute until he decided to walk around poooooooping on their roofs.................. LOL





Oh Gina, bring the cat so it can do slug patrol for us

Speaking of which, Gina, are you coming now? I see your spot on the map is still white. Did a FGR get it or will the gate from B to A be lost forever?

I am not coming. There will be a gate keeper.. stay tuned!

Hi: Gina... With that much "Hydrogen Peroxide" in the mix do you end up with a "Bleached Blond" dog??? The only time I ever saw a cat take a bath was in "Tomato Juice"!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

Dh and I were talking this weekend and he reminded me that last time we were in Oregon 2001, we couldn't pump our own gas............ (not that I minded) But it just throws you, it's been so long since I had full service gas pumps that I just marveled at the service. Is that still the way it's done? Thanks Robin

Yep, we still don't pump our own gas. Not to be political, but we've heard for years the price would be cheaper if we did. Bunk. We're cheaper than Washington State or California... it's the gas tax that inflates the price. I love it!

Oh I think I would love it to, Donna. Unless I was in a hurry, then I would be flippen out.



But for those that are first timers in Oregon, it will be a shock! Hard to get used too.............. It's been sooooooooo long since we have had a full service Gas Station in Coloraodo it's such a treat! Heck I even tipped the guy! I didn't know if that was expected or not but I sure enjoyed not having to stand there and fill a gas guzzzzling Class A......

All the times before that I had visited Oregon, I was a kid, and we still had Full Service way back then, so I didn't even know until our trip thru in 2001.


So first time Oregon visiters sit back and enjoy!

Not only does Oregon provide full-service gas, their gas station staff does it with a friendly smile and if you have fuzzybutts in the back seat (or side-saddle), they'll likely get a dog treat as well. So, Oregon gets a big Yeay Oregon!

xo Sharen

Nope... no bleaching happens. This recipe really works. Tomato juice does not work; it only turns your pet pink and smelly in a different way. Ha!

Nancy

If the dog has white in it, it does make it really brilliant white. It has no effect on colors.

Ok another first timer question................. Is there a Costco or Sam's Club anywhere near Bandon? I probably know this answer but I thought I would ask anyway Robin

There are not. There are a number of Costco's convenient to the trip if you're on I-5.
http://www.costco.com/Warehouse/Location.a...&lang=en-US

Medford would be closest to Bandon if coming from the south, and from the north Eugene would be closest

There is a Wal Mart in Coos Bay and a Casino that lets you dry camp if you get there too early and your camp spot isn't ready yet. The Casino is on the north end of town on 101 so is easy to get in and out of while the Walmart is off about a mile or two from 101 heading out towards Charleston.

Just a quick observation: From Kent Washington all the way to south of Roseburg, the cheapest gas we found was:
Costco in Olympia 4.09 exit 111?
Costco in Albany 4.09 exit 234
Crewell Arco cash price was 4.13 exit 182

Just a question - do the gas stations around there usually have different prices if you pay credit vs cash?

Yes. I've seen it 20 cents higher if paying by debit or credit card. The price on the signs is usually the "cash" amount. However, not all stations charge more... but you won't know that until you walk in to pay. They're SUPPOSED to advertise on the big sign if it's the CASH price... there again, I've been unpleasantly surprised when I found out otherwise.

I haven't seen any in quite a while except maybe an Arco or two. Be forwarned, many Arco stations don't accept any credit cards.

They do accept debit cards though. You have to get out of your car and pay before filling.

Thanks for the Costco, Sam's info........... everyone! I just wanted to do some shopping there if there was one close by. They have great size's for the pot luck!. Robin

Thanks for the info Donna, Byron & Nancy. Things like that are good to know ahead of time so I don't get sticker shock - not that I don't get it every time I fill up these days, but why make it worse?

Yes, thanks from me also. I'll be hitting Costco to check out what's there that's different from at home.
A note for CDN's - I checked with them and your Canadian membership is valid for store shopping in the US and vice versa.

We found a product which works well called Skunk Off. Available as lotion or shampoo.

http://thornell.com/main.aspx

Were you also asking about things to do and see in Bandon? My girls and I passed through the area a couple of years ago. A few things remain in our memory banks including the cheese factory (FANTASTIC garlic white-cheddar cheese - sounds disgusting but tastes grand), beaches (of course) and, though this goes against our usual grain, a "wild animal park" south of Bandon down Highway 1. You can't miss it. The best part about this petting zoo (lots of goats) was the baby animal feeding. The girls (then 5 and nearly 3) and I fed (and petted) a baby bear, mountain lion kittens and a tiger cub.

My memory of the state park: nice grassy spots with hedges separating nearby neighbors stacked like cordwood. Wouldn't have been so bad if the neighbors in their tent trailer hadn't forgotten that only canvas was keeping their TV from blaring into camp. Er...canvas doesn't have much of a muffling effect. ("Alien vs. Predator" - not exactly family fare, even simply audio.) (sigh)

Jen

The last time we were at Bandon (2006) the cheese factory was closed. We heard the Tillamook company bought it and then closed it. There still is a lot to do and see in the area.

Sure enough! Found lots of news about it when I looked it up tonight! I guess we just squeeked in there. TOO BAD it's gone!
Jen

Some days I just can't spell Tillamook!