SuperBowl alternative... Three Capes Scenic Route in the R1T

[DuckTruck]

I just replied to a friend on these Forums, but thought others may enjoy this story. I've added to it a bit.
____________________
As of Sunday morning, I'd been housebound for five days with a really rotten cold. Luckily, I'd tested negative for Covid several times, so I was just trying to keep away from sharing my coughs, sniffles, and sneezes with everyone else. For some reason, just before kickoff in last year's SuperBowl, I was out shopping, and realized I had an entire Home Depot and Cabela's to myself. I thought "Well, this is cool!" and made a mental note of it.

Accordingly, when I woke up Sunday morning, I opened my phone to check the weather at the Oregon Coast. It was showing a high in the low 50s, and not much else. No rain, with some sunshine. In my head, I heard the Delta boys from Animal House yell "Road Trip!" I assumed most everyone would be watching the game, and the weather was ideal, so I just couldn't pass up the chance.

With 10 hours of open space in my DVR, I had just enough to record the entirety of the Big Game production. I left at about 1:30 to head West to US 101 in Tillamook. The roads going my way were empty. It was awesome! Sadly, many faces of those coming the other way looked stressed. There were lines of 30+ vehicles stuck behind each and every truck/camper/boat combo winding their way home through the mountains on the twisty two-lane that is Hwy 6. I'm sure they were hoping to get back early enough to catch the kickoff. "Suckers!!!", I thought.

Once I hit US 101, I crossed over it and headed further West to the Three Capes Scenic Highway. Few visitors know about this roadway, but much of it is right along the Pacific. You're just above the water in many spots. In fact, Rivian knows all about it. Their first video included shots from there, with the R1T in the sand around Sand Lake, South of Cape Lookout. I spent a good 30 minutes in that area, including at least a 20-minute stretch without seeing another moving vehicle. It was magical to watch the sun drop into the haze on the horizon in that silent setting.

In my 225 miles to Tillamook, out along the Three Capes, and then home through Lincoln City, I never once had a vehicle that slowed me down. Likewise, I never had a vehicle on my bumper. On top of that, the air was relatively warm with not more than a breath of wind.

Part of the trip was to try out the RAN station in Lincoln City. Once I arrived there, I plugged in with about 45 miles left and, boom!, I was charging at 216 kW/h in no time. It started to slow a bit a little past 60%, but I had all the charge I needed to get home with about 100 miles of range left "in the tank". Couldn't have been easier.

I watched every play of the game in under two hours, including several replays of the controversial ones. I was done by 11:00 and started sorting through the following pics.

Although I'm a big football fan, I'm a much bigger "Oh my God, the entire Coast and all of the roadways are mine!" fan. I can't find that show on my DVR or Netflix. I hope the pics give some sense of how cool this day was.

Not sure I'll ever watch another SuperBowl live again.

Something to consider next year....

(Edit: tip of the hat to @bowhunter for turning me on to the Lincoln City RAN)

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[shrink]

 

[shrink]

In all seriousness, great story! Thanks for sharing. Gorgeous pics. I'm not too familiar with the area, but is that "Goonies Beach" by any chance?

I actually had a similar thought. I was thinking of going off-roading in the desert on the day of the Super Bowl. With the game being in suburban Phoenix, I figured the trails would be empty. But I ended up off-roading on Saturday and hunkering down at home on Sunday. The traffic in metro Phoenix was the exact opposite of your beautiful solitary drive on Sunday - it was pure madness, congestion, and speeding with all the Super Bowl and PGA visitors in town. Glad it's over.

Perhaps I'll make it up to that beautiful area one day in my R1T.

 

[av8or]

Nice! Thanks for sharing! I’m going to Madras today just because it’s supposed to be sunny and with the fresh snow, it’ll be beautiful. Going to hit the RAN there before coming home.
Friday we are hooking up the camper and going down the coast to coos bay. Should be 1 stop at Lincoln City RAN…..maybe a second stop for insurance in reedsport (125 miles between Lincoln city and Coos bay towing?).

 

[COdogman]

Those pics are worth missing every Super Bowl!

 

[ironpig]

When I lived in Colorado we always went snowboarding on SuperBowl Sunday. Great day for any outdoor activity or roadtrip with so many people inside.

Also, I like football too and always record the SuperBowl and delay the start if I'm watching at my own house. I have never understood the appeal of the commercials and prefer to skip them.

 

[kanundrum]

I just replied to a friend on these Forums, but thought others may enjoy this story. I've added to it a bit.
____________________
As of Sunday morning, I'd been housebound for five days with a really rotten cold. Luckily, I'd tested negative for Covid several times, so I was just trying to keep away from sharing my coughs, sniffles, and sneezes with everyone else. For some reason, just before kickoff in last year's SuperBowl, I was out shopping, and realized I had an entire Home Depot and Cabela's to myself. I thought "Well, this is cool!" and made a mental note of it.

Accordingly, when I woke up Sunday morning, I opened my phone to check the weather at the Oregon Coast. It was showing a high in the low 50s, and not much else. No rain, with some sunshine. In my head, I heard the Delta boys from Animal House yell "Road Trip!" I assumed most everyone would be watching the game, and the weather was ideal, so I just couldn't pass up the chance.

With 10 hours of open space in my DVR, I had just enough to record the entirety of the Big Game production. I left at about 1:30 to head West to US 101 in Tillamook. The roads going my way were empty. It was awesome! The faces on those coming the other way looked stressed by the lines of 30+ vehicles stuck behind each and every truck/camper/boat combo winding their way through the mountains on athe twisty two-lane, hoping to get home early enough to catch the kickoff. "Suckers!!!", I thought.

Once I hit US 101, I crossed over it and headed further West to the Three Capes Scenic Highway. Few visitors know about this roadway, but much of it is right along the Pacific. You're just above the water in many spots. In fact, Rivian knows all about it. Their first video included shots from there, with the R1T in the sand around Sand Lake, South of Cape Lookout. I spent a good 30 minutes in that area, including at least a 20-minute stretch without seeing another moving vehicle. It was magical to watch the sun drop into the haze on the horizon in that silent setting.

In my 225 miles to Tillamook, out along the Three Capes, and then home through Lincoln City, I never once had a vehicle that slowed me down. Likewise, I never had a vehicle on my bumper. On top of that, the air was relatively warm with not more than a breath of wind.

Part of the trip was to try out the RAN station in Lincoln City. Once I arrived there, I plugged in with about 45 miles left and, boom!, I was charging at 216 kW/h in no time. It started to slow a bit a little past 60%, but I had all the charge I needed to get home with about 100 miles of range left "in the tank". Couldn't have been easier.

I watched every play of the game in under two hours, including several replays of the controversial ones. I was done by 11:00 and started sorting through the following pics.

Although I'm a big football fan, I'm a much bigger "Oh my God, the entire Coast and all of the roadways are mine!" fan. I can't find that show on my DVR or Netflix. I hope the pics give some sense of how cool this day was.

Not sure I'll ever watch another SuperBowl live again.

Something to consider next year....

Cannon beach is one of my fav places ever! Bravo to the smarter move and here to more of those in the future!

 

[DuckTruck]

In all seriousness, great story! Thanks for sharing. Gorgeous pics. I'm not too familiar with the area, but is that "Goonies Beach" by any chance?

I actually had a similar thought. I was thinking of going off-roading in the desert on the day of the Super Bowl. With the game being in suburban Phoenix, I figured the trails would be empty. But I ended up off-roading on Saturday and hunkering down at home on Sunday. The traffic in metro Phoenix was the exact opposite of your beautiful solitary drive on Sunday - it was pure madness, congestion, and speeding with all the Super Bowl and PGA visitors in town. Glad it's over.

Perhaps I'll make it up to that beautiful area one day in my R1T.

Thanks for your kind words. Regarding Goonies, the one here is "the other Haystack Rock", located offshore of Pacific City. It's the Southernmost of the two, with Goonies being filmed around the more famous version at Cannon Beach. FYI, the famous house from the movie recently sold, and all of the movie fans seeking it out has been a news item.

I'll bet Phoenix was swamped this last two weeks with all that's going on, and that's on top of all the people in the area for the Winter. Yikes!

Make sure to connect when you know you're coming up. If we can't meet, I'd be happy to point out great places to hit.

Travel well!

 

[DuckTruck]

Nice! Thanks for sharing! I’m going to Madras today just because it’s supposed to be sunny and with the fresh snow, it’ll be beautiful. Going to hit the RAN there before coming home.
Friday we are hooking up the camper and going down the coast to coos bay. Should be 1 stop at Lincoln City RAN…..maybe a second stop for insurance in reedsport (125 miles between Lincoln city and Coos bay towing?).

You're welcome! I considered a clockwise loop around Mount Hood, hitting the RAN in Madras, then Southwest around Lake Billy Chinook through the backcountry to Sisters and home. Once I saw that forecast, the beach was too attractive.

Have a great time today and please let us know all about it. (Pics, please!) Same for the trek to Coos Bay and back. I've told you how special that place is to me. I hope you get to take in Sunset Bay and Shore Acres State Parks while you're there.

Travel well!

 

[foxerson]

When I lived in Colorado we always went snowboarding on SuperBowl Sunday. Great day for any outdoor activity or roadtrip with so many people inside.

Also, I like football too and always record the SuperBowl and delay the start if I'm watching at my own house. I have never understood the appeal of the commercials and prefer to skip them.

Super Bowl Sunday has always ben one of my two favorite ski days. The other being New Year's Day.

Thanks for the great trip report @DuckTruck!

 

[iansriv]

That's scary!

 

[iansriv]

I just replied to a friend on these Forums, but thought others may enjoy this story. I've added to it a bit.
____________________
As of Sunday morning, I'd been housebound for five days with a really rotten cold. Luckily, I'd tested negative for Covid several times, so I was just trying to keep away from sharing my coughs, sniffles, and sneezes with everyone else. For some reason, just before kickoff in last year's SuperBowl, I was out shopping, and realized I had an entire Home Depot and Cabela's to myself. I thought "Well, this is cool!" and made a mental note of it.

Accordingly, when I woke up Sunday morning, I opened my phone to check the weather at the Oregon Coast. It was showing a high in the low 50s, and not much else. No rain, with some sunshine. In my head, I heard the Delta boys from Animal House yell "Road Trip!" I assumed most everyone would be watching the game, and the weather was ideal, so I just couldn't pass up the chance.

With 10 hours of open space in my DVR, I had just enough to record the entirety of the Big Game production. I left at about 1:30 to head West to US 101 in Tillamook. The roads going my way were empty. It was awesome! Sadly, many faces of those coming the other way looked stressed. There were lines of 30+ vehicles stuck behind each and every truck/camper/boat combo winding their way home through the mountains on the twisty two-lane that is Hwy 6. I'm sure they were hoping to get back early enough to catch the kickoff. "Suckers!!!", I thought.

Once I hit US 101, I crossed over it and headed further West to the Three Capes Scenic Highway. Few visitors know about this roadway, but much of it is right along the Pacific. You're just above the water in many spots. In fact, Rivian knows all about it. Their first video included shots from there, with the R1T in the sand around Sand Lake, South of Cape Lookout. I spent a good 30 minutes in that area, including at least a 20-minute stretch without seeing another moving vehicle. It was magical to watch the sun drop into the haze on the horizon in that silent setting.

In my 225 miles to Tillamook, out along the Three Capes, and then home through Lincoln City, I never once had a vehicle that slowed me down. Likewise, I never had a vehicle on my bumper. On top of that, the air was relatively warm with not more than a breath of wind.

Part of the trip was to try out the RAN station in Lincoln City. Once I arrived there, I plugged in with about 45 miles left and, boom!, I was charging at 216 kW/h in no time. It started to slow a bit a little past 60%, but I had all the charge I needed to get home with about 100 miles of range left "in the tank". Couldn't have been easier.

I watched every play of the game in under two hours, including several replays of the controversial ones. I was done by 11:00 and started sorting through the following pics.

Although I'm a big football fan, I'm a much bigger "Oh my God, the entire Coast and all of the roadways are mine!" fan. I can't find that show on my DVR or Netflix. I hope the pics give some sense of how cool this day was.

Not sure I'll ever watch another SuperBowl live again.

Something to consider next year....

(Edit: tip of the hat to @bowhunter for turning me on to the Lincoln City RAN)

What a way to beat the cold! Stunning photos. Thanks for sharing.

 

[av8or]

You're welcome! I considered a clockwise loop around Mount Hood, hitting the RAN in Madras, then Southwest around Lake Billy Chinook through the backcountry to Sisters and home. Once I saw that forecast, the beach was too attractive.

Have a great time today and please let us know all about it. (Pics, please!) Same for the trek to Coos Bay and back. I've told you how special that place is to me. I hope you get to take in Sunset Bay and Shore Acres State Parks while you're there.

Travel well!

From the RAN in Madras. It was a beautiful sunny trip!

 

[DuckTruck]

From the RAN in Madras. It was a beautiful sunny trip!

It looks like you had a great day! What route did you take, and did you end up in much snow? I really want to take the backroads I mentioned yesterday through Cove Palisades State Park and then along the South side of Lake Billy Chinook towards Sisters and Camp Sherman. I did them in the dustbowl of Summer once, in a much less capable SUV, but would love to hit them on a wet or snowy day, with you and others.

I'm also curious as to your charging experience.

 

[John G.]

I just replied to a friend on these Forums, but thought others may enjoy this story. I've added to it a bit.
____________________
As of Sunday morning, I'd been housebound for five days with a really rotten cold. Luckily, I'd tested negative for Covid several times, so I was just trying to keep away from sharing my coughs, sniffles, and sneezes with everyone else. For some reason, just before kickoff in last year's SuperBowl, I was out shopping, and realized I had an entire Home Depot and Cabela's to myself. I thought "Well, this is cool!" and made a mental note of it.

Accordingly, when I woke up Sunday morning, I opened my phone to check the weather at the Oregon Coast. It was showing a high in the low 50s, and not much else. No rain, with some sunshine. In my head, I heard the Delta boys from Animal House yell "Road Trip!" I assumed most everyone would be watching the game, and the weather was ideal, so I just couldn't pass up the chance.

With 10 hours of open space in my DVR, I had just enough to record the entirety of the Big Game production. I left at about 1:30 to head West to US 101 in Tillamook. The roads going my way were empty. It was awesome! Sadly, many faces of those coming the other way looked stressed. There were lines of 30+ vehicles stuck behind each and every truck/camper/boat combo winding their way home through the mountains on the twisty two-lane that is Hwy 6. I'm sure they were hoping to get back early enough to catch the kickoff. "Suckers!!!", I thought.

Once I hit US 101, I crossed over it and headed further West to the Three Capes Scenic Highway. Few visitors know about this roadway, but much of it is right along the Pacific. You're just above the water in many spots. In fact, Rivian knows all about it. Their first video included shots from there, with the R1T in the sand around Sand Lake, South of Cape Lookout. I spent a good 30 minutes in that area, including at least a 20-minute stretch without seeing another moving vehicle. It was magical to watch the sun drop into the haze on the horizon in that silent setting.

In my 225 miles to Tillamook, out along the Three Capes, and then home through Lincoln City, I never once had a vehicle that slowed me down. Likewise, I never had a vehicle on my bumper. On top of that, the air was relatively warm with not more than a breath of wind.

Part of the trip was to try out the RAN station in Lincoln City. Once I arrived there, I plugged in with about 45 miles left and, boom!, I was charging at 216 kW/h in no time. It started to slow a bit a little past 60%, but I had all the charge I needed to get home with about 100 miles of range left "in the tank". Couldn't have been easier.

I watched every play of the game in under two hours, including several replays of the controversial ones. I was done by 11:00 and started sorting through the following pics.

Although I'm a big football fan, I'm a much bigger "Oh my God, the entire Coast and all of the roadways are mine!" fan. I can't find that show on my DVR or Netflix. I hope the pics give some sense of how cool this day was.

Not sure I'll ever watch another SuperBowl live again.

Something to consider next year....

We're so lucky, those of us who live in the magnificent Pacific Northwest. I've traveled the area many times, before. There's just nothing quite like the Oregon, Coast! Awe-inspiring. Thanks for looping us in on your latest Rivian journey!

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