Marijuana and Pinot Noir…..

When I was a kid, living with my Grand Parents in the piedmont of South Carolina, I was exposed to the art of growing fine tobacco. I can remember the government carefully measuring EC Cooke’s tobacco crop and demanding he plow a row or two under, as he had exceeded his allotment. I have never used the stuff but do remember the warm smell of freshly cured tobacco lying on a wooden floor being graded and tied by my family for sale at auction. Oregon finds itself in need of a similar control in the growing and processing of its prodigious crop of cannabis sativa, aka weed, pot, grass, ganja, bud, kush, puff or any of the other 1,000 or so names. Their market is soft, the result of legalization in other states resulting in an over supply of the dangerous weed. Damn the bad luck.

In Oregon you can grow up to four plants for personal use, a majority of the big grow operations are outdoors and you must erect a barrier to block it from public view. They have a lot of experience with this business, and it shows. There are any number of aging “hippies” along the coast, many of which are buzzed out, drifting about with their rather large group of homeless folks. This is the case in the delightful small towns along the Pacific Coast Highway, but we’ll never know if this is the case in their runaway cities. It is a gorgeous state, replete with natural resources that defy imagination. They also produce award winning wine, specifically Pinot Noir. I am clueless about fine wine, having consumed a fair amount of Rosey O’Grady and Boones’s Farm when coming of age. I like it sweet, if at all, and find dry wines to be a test of my will.

We are currently on the harbor in Coos Bay Oregon, the biggest town on US 101, in their state, at around 15,000 good folks. The temperatures have been running around 70 for the high and the upper 50’s for the low. Salt water sport fishing is the order of the day here and they like tourists. They should, as marijuana, wine and logging are what is happening in these parts and tourists bring a lot of money to the area, with good reason. It is breathtakingly gorgeous, period.

I’ll let pictures do the talking.

A final word. There are any number of internet warriors who suggest that Highway 101 is a problem. It is not, at least in Oregon. It is in great condition, overall, but you must stay focused. The locals are tolerant and pass in one of the numerous passing zones, and there are ample pull outs to swing over and let the buildup behind you go by. A trip along this road, in our 230i convertible, would be priceless. The hamlets and towns are rustic, clean and fun. Fuel is a dollar cheaper than California and readily available. Food is expensive and you need to choose carefully where you seek respite. We go where the locals go and avoid the tourist traps that are inevitable. We have enjoyed the ride and are getting into an interesting phase of our journey, northern Oregon and Washington State, where Victoria Island awaits. If I could, I would bottle up this weather and send it to my people in Missouri. The alternative, for you is obvious!

Have a great week, SR.