The Central Oregon Coast

We made our way to the Oregon coast on May 20th. It rained most of the time we were on the coast, and if it wasn't raining, it was misty, overcast and foggy. A bridge over the Umpqua River, seen from OR-38:


Our first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean in Oregon:


As in northern California, bikes are welcome along Oregon's coast.


Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park is located on the Pacific Ocean with its camping area on the east side of US-101. We had a wonderful spot in the mossy woods, just a short distance from the 1/2-mile trail leading to the ocean. Trees lined the other side of the narrow lane running through the park, and Bill did some fantastic maneuvering to get us into our site.


A wild rhododendron beside our site:


Steller's Jays and a sweet little chipmunk nearby:








The trail connecting the camping area to the ocean runs through the woods, under US-101, and through mixed evergreens and shrubs - and comes with appropriate warnings.






















Wow! Now that's a rope!








It was cold and windy. Barkley's ears are actually blowing in this picture.




Florence, Oregon is located about 14 miles south of Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park on US-101 and the Siuslaw River. We enjoyed the riverside carnival, which was part of the town's 103d annual Rhododendren Festival.




A covered wagon pulled by a bike:


Heceta Head Lighthouse is just south of Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park. It is a State Scenic Viewpoint with a beautiful beach and trails leading to the lighthouse. Cape Creek Bridge and the beach below the lighthouse:










Small caves along the edge of the beach:










Karen was mesmerized watching a large barnacle move in its protective "sleeve." Barnacles, mussels, and some type of snail on the large rocks on the beach:


Something like Spanish moss in the trees:




Dune Tansy on the hill between the beach and the lighthouse:


False Lily of the Valley:




Fringe Cups:


Sea Lions Cave is just south of Heceta Head Lighthouse and is billed as the world's largest sea cave. The water continuously crashed on the rocks - and on the sea lions. It's amazing that those swimming in the water aren't thrown against the rocks.




Several sea lions are high on a shelf about a third of the way in on the left:


Heceta Head Lighthouse from Sea Lions Cave:


Darlingtonia State Natural Site is a small day-use area further south on US-101, and is home to the carnivorous California Cobra Lily, also known as Pitcher Plant. The site also boasts inviting mossy woods, peace lilies, and cute little squirrels that we just couldn't quite capture with the camera.






A delicate new fern frond: