The Oregon Coast

We drove south from Seattle, with a feeling of pride and joy in our daughter's graduation ... and a kind of balmy bliss enfolding us. 

It might have been the BBQ pork we had for lunch.

Because after about 30 minutes on I-5 south we were restless, irritable and discontent.  Having traveled over 4,000 miles and less than 100 of it on Interstates we have become accustomed to a slower pace, and a gentler ride. 

Our patience worn thin, we were richly rewarded when we pulled onto the 101 in Astoria, OR.  This would be home, for the next 3 1/2 days ... with many forays off onto small spurs, beautiful vistas and long walks on the Oregon Coast Trail. 

Pulling into Seaside around dinner we enjoyed a cool, misty walk and a warm welcome from this quirky beach town.

We planned our walk for the following morning - they have an 8,000 foot Promenade!  Then we hit Pudgy's for some seafood. 

Probably should have picked up this treasure when I had the chance, don't you think?

From Seaside we drove south to Cannon Beach, much tonier and we took another walk through the town.  Great coffee ... who's surprised about that?

We were rather amazed by the big rocks that cropped up at the shoreline ... reminded me of Hawaii a little bit.  I tried to get lots of pictures because who knew when we'd get to see such an amazing site again.

Right.

If you've been to the Oregon Coast ... it is littered with these beautiful, eerie, exotic basalt rocks!  If you ever have about three days I'll be glad to show you all my pictures of them :)

Suffice it to say, it's beautiful!
And, for Floridians, we seem to know a lot of people who are from the Oregon Coast - why would you leave??

These are just a few of the images that took our breath away as we drove from Seaside down to Newport.  There we walked along the picturesque harbor, and then had probably the best dinner since The Fountain Room at the Four Seasons in Philadelphia!

Dungeness Crab, Scallops, Oysters, Halibut!  Fantastic!!  (they ship!)

All in all another fabulous day.

From Newport we continued along US 101 South, toward Gold Beach.  With many side trips.

Including a kind of up-and-down (down first then lots of up) walk at Devil's Churn.

Followed by a weird drive through some amazing Sand Dunes.

Trust me when I tell you that this picture does NOT give the proper perspective!

This hill was so huge, that the last 10 feet I almost had to crawl.

Really.

I thought I was going to die.

To see the nesting Snowy Plovers, which I did not get a glance of.

We then had a 1.5 mile walk at a Nature Preserve, which was beautiful. 

Slightly hilly.

If you're counting this is the THIRD hike of the day.

I'm feeling both virtuous and exhausted.

Saw some beautiful Bald Eagles, and two Stellar's Jays.

Lark Buntings serenaded us, which was very nice indeed.

We also saw many Sea Lions... and elk ... and tiny chipmunks.

We finished our night with a beautiful sunset, followed by an episode of

Deep Space Nine ... and I fell asleep like a rock...

with our sliding door open, listening to the waves.

Very nice.

Our last hike in Oregon was fantastic!

Again on the Oregon Coast Trail - we got some beautiful vistas:

This was taken around 10:30 am ... and before lunch we were in the Redwood National Forest!

(But THAT is another whole matter entirely!)

I've left out so much - but I think this will keep me straight on the days, 

and I can fill in the thoughts and feelings, the ideas and the amazement 

when I get home.

Eventually.