Florence and the (Dunes) Machine

The Medford Quality Hotel got a resounding thumbs-up, probably because we were all comparing it to the Motel Capri. After a well-deserved night’s sleep, the truck turned north through Grant’s Pass en route for Florence and the Oregon Dunes coastline. Alex and Evan knew that dune buggies were on today’s plan, but didn’t really have any idea what they were in for. We couldn’t tell them too much other than that they may actually enjoy it more than their California Screamin’ rides at Disneyland.

We made good time, stopping only for a quick picnic lunch outside of Eugene. I took my turn at the wheel and we wound our way through the outskirts of Eugene, playing ‘spot the Route 126 sign’ for an awfully long time. We narrowly missed continuing north up the I-5 again several times, and Norbert and I could see our lead time to the Florence 3:30 dune buggy time slot evaporating. Eventually we found our way onto the 126 itself, and joined ANOTHER line-up - imagine that! The one-lane secondary highway to the coast has few passing lanes, so we had to just settle in for a long, if scenic trip. The last time we headed this way Evan was only 2 ½; the only thing he remembers from that trip was how scary the park ranger mascot at J.R. Honeyman State Park was. Not exactly a memorable holiday for a little boy, but we hoped that this one would turn out a bit better.

After getting tightly strapped into the VERY basic-looking dune buggy, we were off for the rides of our lives!  When I called to make the booking, we were offered two options - “Fast or Slow” - I really wanted “Medium”, but was too chicken to ask if this could be Option 3. Our driver, Buddy, had come to his career driving tourists like us around after racing stunt motorcycles and testing bikes for an offshoot of Harley Davidson. I had to put my trust in him, and when I couldn’t, I shut my eyes and put my trust in the Higher Power (I‘m hoping that He was listening even though my tuner is pretty rusty!)
I just kept telling myself that our driver was no more interested in dying than any of us were!
For the next hour, Buddy raced up 90 degree dune hills and down the other sides, skidded along the tops of the ridges, along the beach at top speed, and deep around the bottom edges of the sand wells by the tree island. Norbert was whooping at the top of his lungs, the boys were yelling (if not like little girls, then at least like big ones!), and I’d say it was all they thought it would be and more.

It took a good while to shake all the sand out of our nooks and crannies, but we made our way back to the hotel and enjoyed a good swim and hot-tub, then drove to the A&W drive-in we’d seen on the way through town for our supper. I hadn’t been to a drive-in since Grade 6, so this was a rare treat. The boys thought the whole idea was kind of strange, but we had to try it out. American A&W food didn’t quite match up to our Canadian palates, but having a chance to experience it again made it worthwhile.

Tomorrow morning it’s off to McMinville and the Spruce Goose, waterslides and more! Wait for it - Turkey-rama!!