Its just that there is so darn much to see on the Oregon coastline!
We drive for ten minutes, we stop for half an hour... we drive for ten minutes, we stop for an hour.
And so on. I think the last time we drove for ten minutes, we ended up stopping for two hours!
Here... I'll show you what I mean. We started off the day with a walk down the beach in Lincoln City. It had rained again overnight, but things were clearing up except for a little bit of lingering fog.
Looking north.
Out for a walk.
Looking south.
Looking west!
I think I can see Hawaii!
Scenery along the way.
We ended up walking about 2 miles (3.2 kms). Sooo nice to see some blue sky and sunshine!
We got Sherman packed up and ready to go. We hit the road at about 11:00am. That was our mistake... we need to get going a little earlier! I think the time change messed us up a little bit.
Lots of pictures today... hope you enjoy...
The first viewpoint we stopped at.
There are lots of scenic viewpoints along this highway. If you stopped at them all, it would take forever. We decided after this one that we can't be stopping at them all!
Scenery along the way.
Neat little cove.
The waves were crashing in!
Sherman.
Heading south.
We pulled into the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. There was an entrance booth, and at first they wanted $7... then, the girl says "unless you have the America the Beautiful pass... then it's free". And, of course we have that. Glad to be getting more use out of it!
We went to the Interpretive Center and the guy explained what there was to see and do. We quickly realized this would be a two hour visit!
Looking for whales? Birds? Pirates?
Spotted Towhee.
The Yaquina Head Lighthouse, built in 1872.
Yes! The sun is shining!
We had a really nice day!
The view without us standing in front of it.
Sherman, beside another camper van... bottom left.
Neat cove!
Seals!
They have a lot of seals here, but you're not allowed to get very close to them. The photo above was taken from quite a long distance, and that one seal looked like he (she?) was looking right up at us the whole time.
But the real attraction here was the tide pools. And we were really lucky to have arrived right near low tide.
We saw so many colorful sea stars and anemones, crabs, mussels, and a bunch of other stuff I don't even know the names for!
Weird stuff!
Yaquina Head Lighthouse.
The seals.
By the time we left here it was almost 4:00pm. But, it now gets dark by 5:00pm. We had already decided we didn't want to rush our way down the coast... there is simply too much to see and we won't likely be back here for some time. There was a state park nearby that I had read charged $21 USD for a dry camping site. Expensive, yes... but there didn't seem to be much else around.
We went there, and it turned out that loop is now closed for the season... so the only option was paying $31 USD for a full hookup site.
No thanks.
I did some more research, and saw that a municipal park at the marina had dry camping sites for $21 USD. Again, not a great deal but we wanted to stay in the area. We drove there, to find that the dry camping was nothing more than a paved parking lot... and the price had gone up to $30 USD!
Again, no thanks.
We drove to the little municipal airport (which was on our way south anyhow), and we got there to find that they don't have a very big parking area. But I went in the office and asked, and they said we could stay... provided we were gone at sunrise.
Sold!
Yesterday's drive, 33 miles (53 kms).
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You are so fortunate to have sunshine long the coast this time of the year. Seeing your photos makes me think I may need to return next year.
ReplyDeleteWe are starting to get the sunshine now but last week we sure didn't have the sun! Hopefully now the sun will be with us for the rest of our way down the coast. :-)
DeleteI love the NW coast...even the rain LOL I have traveled that area dozens of times and never see it all...way too much to see and do. The beaches are so beautiful and I could walk for hours. You probably can live your entire life in the area and never see it all.
ReplyDeleteIt would be very difficult to see every in one trip that is for sure. I hope that we make it back to this area again sometime to see some of what we have missed.
DeleteOregon has the most beautiful coast. At Port Orford they crane the boats in and out of the water. It is interesting to watch at sunrise and dusk. I great little place to eat right at the boat dock. Best prawns I ever had. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWe will have to remember to stop by Port Orford then to see this. It would be interesting to watch. Thanks for the info. :-)
DeleteStunning, everything I love. Coast, Seals, sunshine and gorgeous scenery.
ReplyDeleteYou and Tony would love it here. It looks a lot like some of the pictures you have posted from your stays by the sea. :-)
DeleteThe whole coast drive is really a great drive for sure! Go slow, take care and so many more stops coming up!!! I'm enjoying the memories :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it sure is, especially at this time of year when you don't have to fight for somewhere to park. I don't think we would enjoy this same drive in the summertime. Glad we are rekindling so good memories for you. :-)
DeleteSuch a pretty coast - your header shot of you two turned out great!
ReplyDeleteIt is a gorgeous coast! Now we will have to do a trip along the British Columbia coast to compare the two. :-)
DeleteFond memories of the Oregon coast. Great pictures as usual.
ReplyDeleteThank you Peter! So glad that we brought back a few memories for you. :-)
DeleteYes, the Oregon coast line is magical. I would like to visit in the summer but think it will be crowded.
ReplyDeleteIt is an amazing drive along the coast Angi but I think you are correct, it would be extremely crowded during the summer.
DeleteWe LOVE the Oregon coast. Take your time, there is so much to see. Be sure to stop in Depoe Bay...smallest harbor in the world and quite a rocky entrance! We saw whales here in August. For an overnight, we highly recommend Winchester Bay. Yes, it's a parking lot but you can park right on the water and it's only $17/night (dry, well, in August it was. There's also a Tillicum State Park park right on the beach that I think was $20 or $25 a night. One more recommendation is Boice-Cope Park just south of Langois. $25 night includes hook-ups. Be sure to visit the market in Boice-Cope...they are world famous for their homemade mustard which is incredible! Also be sure to stop and visit Bandon...adorable town. Okay, have fun you kids!
ReplyDeleteWe are trying to take it slow but we still have lots of driving to do. We could literally spend weeks along the coast and into the mountains beside it but we just don't have that much time. :-(
DeleteUnfortunately we have passed by Depoe Bay, we did drive slowly through and now wished we had stopped for a bit, so I guess this will be on our list for another visit. We are coming up to Winchester Bay today so we will try to stop and wander around for a bit but I doubt that we will stop there for the night. We have to start making a little more time with our driving or we won't make it to Mission by the end of the month.
Thanks for all your suggestions! We will try to do as many as we can. :-)
Not a road for a fast trip! I love doing it on the motorcycle, fits in places even parking is full. Really appreciate the info on finding your touchdown for the evening. My trailer is fully self-contained, but in combination with my pickup is 53' long. Limits options.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely correct on that but we are still managing to stop and see some of the sights along the way, unfortunately we just don't have time to stop and see them all. This would certainly be a fun road on a motorcycle and yes, you would always be able to find a place to park.
DeleteYes, having a longer length certainly limits your choices with finding overnight spots along the coast.
We spent a week on the Oregon coast with my brother and SIL. We could have stayed there all summer. As you mentioned, hiking, beaches, tidepools and lighthouses. Best crab cakes we've ever had were in Oregon and they weren't mixed with bread, stuffing, just pure crab meat cooked in butter.
ReplyDeleteYep, it is a gorgeous coast with lots to see and do. I just wish we had more time but at least we are seeing some of it. :-)
DeleteIn Coos bay you have the mill casino they have dry camp an full hook up if you paying for the dry camp do you get to use the dump station the top off on water
ReplyDeleteIt is technically free but you don't get the entities if you park in the parking lot park way in the back next to the railroad tracks. The wood chip train only runs once a week
As one blogger said Winchester Bay real pretty and well worth the stop you're only about 10 feet from the water
Your fee allows you to dump and water. And you can walk up to the lighthouse
in The small center of town of Winchester Bay On 101 there's a bakery called the sourdough bakery if you go there in the morning pick up 1 cinnamon roll. It comes in a box,, Don't Try to eat the whole thing in one day you'll have a hard time
There's a casino called the lucky 7 on 101 just before you get into brooking Or, overnight dry camping free.
And before you get into Crescent city on the west side of 101 there's a Walmart over night parking
Once you get into California you won't run into too many no camping size
Thanks for all the suggestions Mr. Ed, Kevin will have a look at them and see if they will fit into our schedule for any of our nighttime stops.
DeleteGreat photos! This brings back so many memories from our trip up the coast 2 years ago.
ReplyDeleteThank you! We are happy to help rekindle some great memories for you. :-)
DeleteI can recommend Cape Pepetua National Park and Thors Well. If you get there at high tide or within an hour of it, it is fascinating to watch.
ReplyDeleteWe did that today, and right at high tide! Check out the blog post in the morning!
DeleteLovely; glad you guys are finally seeing some sun. I love the Oregon coast. Haven't been able to convince my husband to move there yet though...
ReplyDeleteWe are happy to be seeing the sun as well and from now on, we should be seeing a lot more of it. :-)
DeleteIf you ever do convince him, make sure you like wet weather! ;-)