The Coast of Oregon - October 1 - 4

We left Portland and drove Route 5 to Route 20, the longest road in the U.S. (Just over a 2 hour drive.) We checked into the Embarcadero Resort in Newport where we have a King Studio. We have a little balcony with a view of the Bay and Newport's bridge.

We had lunch at Clearwater, a restaurant on the water. We sat outside where it was actually hot and sunny.

This is the other end of Route 20 - photo by JuliAnn

The Pacific Harbor Seals were right below where we were seated - noisy, but fun to watch. Barbara had  poke tuna salad and Mark had a ginger noodle dish with Dungeness crab. Ships that participated in the show "The Most Dangerous Catch" are anchored here.

From there, we drove to Yaquina Head Lighthouse House where it was very windy and rather chilly, especially in contrast to where we sat at the restaurant shortly before. It is the tallest lighthouse in Oregon. From there we drove by Agate and Nye Beaches, wide sandy beaches. Then - to Fred Meyers grocery store to get supplies for snacks tonight and a picnic tomorrow.

Yaquina Head lighthouse

 

Newport, Day 2

   In the morning we drove first to South Beach, a huge sandy beach. We are surprised at the immensity of the sand beaches. 

Agate Beach

Then we drove back into Newport and bought some tomatoes at the farmers' market to eat with our sandwiches. Then we drove a bit further north to Beverly Beach State Park (so many yurts!). 

And, from there we went to an overlook where we actually saw a whale spouting, but quite far out. 

Then we went a little south to Devil's Cauldron where we had a picnic, watched surfers below, and saw lots of brown pelicans.

For dinner we went to Clearwater again. We decided to treat ourselves to an anniversary-like dinner. We started with a Dungeness crab cocktail. Barbara had the "catch of the day" which was a flatfish like a flounder with spinach and gnocci. Mark had king salmon with asparagus and mashed potato. 

Then we went back to South Beach, walked and watched the sun go down in the sea.

 Bandon, Day One

Another sunny day! We drove down Rt 101 to Bandon, Oregon, stopping for a picnic in the Oregon Dunes State Park. We are at a funky, odd, somewhat decrepit little cottage perched half-way down a cliff. There are actually 3 units; we have half of one floor and a great balcony. There are steep stairs down to the cottage and steeper (and wonky) stairs down to the beach. The view is spectacular with crashing waves and scary rocks. The waves are noisy! (If we have a quake or a tsunami, we will not survive!)

We drove into the old town and got fish and chips and chowder and brought them back to eat here.

Bandon, Day Two

We woke to fog and chilly weather. We took a drive a bit south to Face Rock, which legend says is an Indian maiden who resisted a demon and ended up being turned to stone along with a basket of kittens.

Then we drove to Bullard State Park and out to Coquille lighthouse (which has been decommissioned.) 

And...who should we see walking toward us but Cindy and Kirk Winner! Cindy is one of Barbara's longest friends; they met in the first grade and have been meeting in Pennsylvania at Cindy's lakehouse for the past several summers. Cindy lives in Gasquet, California and she and Kirk with their son, Michael, and his wife, Blakely are camping in the park with sons Mateo and Miles. It was a wonderful chance meeting! The kids watched people crabbing and we chatted for quite a while.

Later, we went back into Bandon for another fish lunch (a fish taco for Barbara and a fried oyster combo dinner for Mark) We drove out to the townside jetty and up to Coquille Lookout where we strolled and sat as the sun came out. The rock islands off the coast here are protected and a nesting and roosting place for many birds.