Gold Beach & Bandon, Oregon

Aloha Everyone,

We are spending the night at Gold Beach, Oregon. This is one of many charming coastal towns in Northwest Oregon. Our room has a beautiful river view. Umpqua most likely means dancing water or thundering water in the Tekelma language. According to online sources, it can also mean “a place along the river” or "the people who lived along the river."

For lunch, J.J. chose Bandon Sushi restaurant. located in the old town of Bandon. He had tuna then Alaskan crab and two other types of raw sushi. I had a teriyaki chicken with no teriyaki sauce. It was so windy, and I would’ve like to have a chocolate dessert, but instead looked for DQ for ice cream.

J.J. stopped the car so I could take photos. Tiny restaurant called “Redfish” looked open but being on a cliff side, the two of us did not approach it.  A healthy-looking girl of 10 was jumping around grabbing her mother’s arm to take their selfies.

J.J. chose Spinners for dinner. He started with a cup of clam chowder then we had shrimp scampi with pasta. I’ve had enough clam chowder.

Keeping our daily accounts of our Oregon travels. Today, lunch was $51.60, gas $25, dinner $78. Add $261.44 for our Surestay Plus Best Western in Gold Beach. The quality of our accommodation reminds us of Extended Stay America. Surestay Plus offers breakfast. Coffee is available. J.J. enjoys two cups each morning.

Aloha -- Cathi

Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act

Aloha Everyone,

There are two states where consumers cannot pump their own gasoline. This is because in 1949, congress passed a statute titled the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act, which prohibited gas retail customers from pumping their own gas.

To date, New Jersey is the only state that maintains this law and requires a professional to pump your car’s gasoline.

On our previous crisscrossing of Oregon, we were introduced to this outdated law. I recall it was cold, with rain and snow, J.J. didn’t mind a gasoline attendant walked over to put gas in Honu.

During our recent travels through Oregon, a gas station has both attended and self-pumps. You simply inform the attendant your preference.

Aloha -- Cathi

Businesses Related to Tourism in California

Aloha Everyone,

Per available government data, in 2024, tourism in California reached a record high with $157.3 billion in spending, supporting 1.2 million jobs and generating $12.6 billion in state and local tax revenue.

Projection for 2025 is forecasted decline in overall visitation and a significant drop in international tourism due to global economic pressures and concerns about travel to the U.S.

The projected decline for 2025 is largely due to global economic pressures, a slowdown in international tourism, and a negative sentiment towards travel to the US.

International Tourism saw a recovery in 2024 with 24.99 million visitors, but the number is expected to drop due to negative sentiment towards travel to the US.

Spending Trend: International spending in California was $28.57 billion in 2018, fell to $5.3 billion, and recovered to $22.55 billion in 2023. Domestic spending followed a similar pattern, dropping from $112 billion in 2018 to $63 billion in 2020, then increasing to $127.9 billion in 2023.

Aloha -- Cathi

California Agriculture

Aloha Everyone,

Property taxes for farmers & ranchers are lower than residential or commercial property. Per available data of the USDA, California had 69,600 farms and ranches in 2020.

In 2020, its agriculture cash receipts totaled almost $55 billion. This was more than 12% of total agricultural cash receipts.

Over one-third of U.S. vegetables and two-thirds of U.S. fruits and nuts are grown in California.

In 2019, California dairy farmers produced 19% of our nation’s dairy supply.

California is one of only five agricultural regions in the world with a Mediterranean growing climate. This enables California farmers to grow a vast array of commodities.

California leads the world in the production of the following commodities:

Almonds, Apricots, Dates, Figs, Kiwi fruits, Avoocados, Grapes, Lemons, Melons, plums, Peaches, Plums and Strawberries.

Aloha -- Cathi

Walmart Asset Protection Customer Host

Aloha Everyone,

In small farming and fishing communities, J.J. and I notice families shopping at Walmart. They probably have a list of items that are considered essential. Some fresh meats and fish, loaves of bread, gallons of milk, butter and jam, coffee and tea and cakes.

A shopper in front of us ran out of credit cards to charge. She had extra $200 but that wasn’t sufficient. The cashier who was taking care of the transaction called a senior employee who introduced herself as Walmart Asset Protection Customer Host. 

Was she there to protect Walmart’s asset. Certainly, in that situation she was protecting Walmart’s asset to make sure that the customer will pay what she owes. When I mentioned the incident to our sons, they reminded me that since J.J. and I are shareholders of Walmart stocks she was also protecting our assets.

Aloha -- Cathi