Because we spent fifteen days along the Oregon
coast,we have split our travels along the coast into four pages.
On the road along the Oregon coast - 2008 . . .
during our travels in the
Pacific Northwest
Page 3 of 4
Updated: 11/30/08
Because we spent fifteen days along the Oregon
coast,
we have split our travels along the coast into four pages.
Use the links below to move around Page 3.
Leaving Tillamook . . . Newport area . . . Pacific Coast Highway - Newport to Lincoln City
Devil's Punchbowl . . . Cape Foulweather . . . Gleneden Beach . . . Lincoln City . . . Depoe Bay . . .
Devil's Punchbowl revisited . . . Yaquina Head Lighthouse . . . Nye Beach . . . Yaquina Bay Lighthouse . . .
We
pulled out of Tillamook on a cloudy Sunday. We were not outside the city limits
when neat cars headed for a town. We were going to miss a car show.
We could still see the Ocean at the beginning of the day but the weather deteriorated. We could not complain - this was the first rain we experience since being in Cody, WY on August 8th.
We crossed the Yaquina Bay River on one of Oregon's historical bridges. The bridge was designed by Conde McCullough and completed in 1935. With its main span of 3,223 feet and 600 foot steel arch structure centered above it, this bridge contains elaborate stairways that lead to observation areas at the five reinforced, concrete-deck, arched secondary spans. Flanked by two 350-foot deck arches, this bridge typifies McCullough's belief that crossing a bridge at get from point A to point B could be elevated to a higher experienced. All are decorated with the concrete spires. We have crossed a number of McCullough's bridges as we travel down the Oregon coast.
South
Beach State Park had a handicap accessible path to the beach. Along the way,
they painted riddles on the asphalt.
The answers were at the viewing platform at the end of the platform.
We were at the platform waiting for the sunset
The bridge to Newport . . .
Left
Right
Straight ahead
This board at the platform may be a good place to show the information we have on jetties. Later, from the Yaqiuna Bay Lighthouse we had a good look at the Newport jetty.
Pacific Coast Highway - Newport to Lincoln City
Because of the weather we did not make many stops on our way to Newport. The next day we retraced our route as far as Lincoln City to see what we missed. ( NOTE: One reason we went all the way to Lincoln City was to buy less expensive diesel. That didn't work - it was expensive there also. In Tillamook diesel was $3.999. When we arrive in Newport, it was $4.499 at the 'cheapest' station. We were talking to s guy who lived in eastern Oregon who said that fuel is always higher in the 'valley'. They fuel up before getting in the valley and after they get out of the valley. Fuel was a little less expensive in Florence at $4.339 and we passed ONE station at $3.899 in Reedsport. The low price may have been 'low sulfur' instead of 'ultra low sulfur' because everyone else is about $4.199. In Coos Bay diesel is $4.519. It is so confusing - it is a crap shoot.)
One
thing we notice just before we arrived in Newport was a sign for a 'motorcoach
resort'. Feeling discriminated against as fifth wheelers, we checked it out on
the way retracing our route. There was also some patio sites you could own.
Now that the administrative stuff is finished, let's enjoy the scenery.
Whale watching is always exciting - no matter how much of the whale you see. The anticipation of seeing more keeps you at the ready. Mary Lou was using her binoculars for a better view.
The view from the Devil's Punchbowl was fantastic.
This is an eye test. Can you see the surfers?
They wait for just the right wave and hope they get in front of it correctly. This person was on his knees.
Then it is over.
Regarding Pelicans, Fred remembers as a child visiting his grandparents in Florida being told "his beak can hold more than his belly can".
How is this for a gift shop location!
Wherever you stopped, the view was great.
We
hope this family would finish their moat before the water reached them.
Erosion
caused this road to collapse.
This was said to be the world's
shortest river.
Just south of town . . .
Farther down the road . . .
Too many seals to count.
Calm harbor, rough access.
Devil's Punchbowl revisited . . .
Wanting
to take advantage of the clear skies, we stopped at this attraction on the way to and
from Lincoln City. Devil's Punchbowl was full of water this time due to the
rising tide.
The shoreline was starting to get hazy.
The surfers were still waiting for the right wave. This guy did his ride standing on the surfboard.
The views from Yaquina Head were spectacular.
Inside the lighthouse we got the flavor of lighthouse life.
Up
the stairs in the lighthouse and interrupter gave us a lot of information. He is
a volunteer in a group that studies and helps restore lighthouses. He explained
the "signatures" of lighthouses - the timing of light, color and
no-light patterns emitted from each lighthouse. Maybe because we asked
questions, he talked quite a while. He knew lighthouses - even Michigan
lighthouses.
Photographs showed what it looked like in prior years.
This sign was in the yard.
A
visitors center provided a lot of information. It explained how the blimp fleet and the
lighthouse worked together to help protect our shores from attack during World
War II.
The video was presented in a 'ship'.
This
exhibit provided the sounds of the sea.
At ocean level, we saw tide pools.
They
permitted handicapped visitors to drive to the tide pools. You picked up an
access card at the visitor center. The card actuated the gate to the road
getting you closer to the tide pools.
This couple was shopping at Wal-Mart in Newport.
From Nye Beach we had another photo op for the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. We had gone back to Nye Beach in Newport to buy some clam chowder. We ate some for a lunch at a restaurant and noticed we could buy the clam chowder base by the quart.
The street was a steep incline to the ocean. Walking back to the truck, eagle eye Mary Lou noticed the sign near the sewer grate.
Our
next stop in Newport was at the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. It looks like it from
the front, the rear view confirms that the lighthouse is a intricate part of the
light keeper's house.
The lighthouse was nicely restored.
The residence housed the light keeper, his wife and seven children.
A
steep stairway with a brass handrail led to the video room, and gift ship.
That is the original wood rain gutter from the lighthouse.
The
garden is being maintained by a local master gardener just like the keepers wife
did.
Tomorrow will be our last day in the Newport area.
Go to Next page: On the road along the Oregon coast (Page 4 of 4) - 2008
Other Oregon coast pages:
On the road along the Oregon coast (Page 1 of 4) - 2008
On the road along the Oregon coast (Page 2 of 4) - 2008
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