Still on Oregon Coast

We are still in Oregon, staying at Humbug Mountain State Park again. We drove down to Brookings ( in Oregon near the California state line) on Sunday. This view is from an overlook north of Brookings. We have had more sun lately so the ocean is a beautiful turquoise color.

We plan to spend one more night at Humbug then head east tomorrow. We have always wanted to see Crater Lake so will stay a few nights at a state park west of there, until we have done all the “touristy” things.




The Brookings harbor where we checked out the docks and the Chetco River, which runs into the Pacific. Donnie would like to bring our boat here some time to cruise the river. We had lunch at a great little place on the harbor called the Hungry Clam, but we had fish and crab cakes, no clams this time.




This is the southernmost lighthouse in (Brookings) Oregon. It is a privately owned home (no tours!) but it is a working lighthouse. Can you imagine the view the owners have from their living room window?





Cape Arago Lighthouse south of Coos Bay, Oregon. It is on an island and can only be reached by a bridge that is closed to the public, so this is the closest we could get to take a photo.




While stopped at a scenic overlook near the gardens, I noticed this sailing ship in the distance. Donnie was able to get this picture with a telephoto lens. One of the locals said that this ship regularly sails this area. Wish I had more history on it to share...





Shore Acres State Park also south of Coos Bay. It was originally the estate of a pioneer timber and shipping magnate. There are seven acres with rose gardens, all types of flowers that bloom at different times of the spring and summer, and several very impressive overlooks. It also has a GREAT gift shop that I enjoyed!




Donnie at Shore Acres State Park gardens.

Lighthouse

Donnie was finally able to get a photo of the Cape Blanco lighthouse near our campsite. Until this morning it had been completely covered in fog. So...success!



The ocean from a scenic overlook near the lighthouse. No blue skies today!

Campsite at Cape Blanco

We have put out bird feeders which have attracted little ground squirrels (my Dad used to call them Chip ‘N Dales) in addition to lots of blue jays. They are so much fun to watch and we also have several baby cottontails that join us in the evenings. We have spoiled them to the taste of carrots, but we probably aren’t the first campers to do that...



Shelby doing what she does best. She does get more lively when the squirrels and birds are hopping around the yard.



One of the camp roads. Lots of big trees and greenery. Reminds me of a rain forest, especially when the fog rolls in...speaking of fog...we haven’t been able to take a photo of the lighthouse here yet. It has been too foggy on the point where it is located. We are hoping it will clear up in the next few days and give us a shot.



Our campsite at Cape Blanco State Park. We think it is the best space in the park. It is surrounded by salmon berry (NOT tasty, trust me I know!) bushes and ferns, so it makes the space very secluded and almost wind proof. The wind blows almost constantly here at Cape Blanco, as it is at the point farthest west on the coast.



Our "back yard"

Cape Blanco State Park

Check it out...I have my binoculars at the ready! Not a whale in sight, but still interesting watching the seagulls and pelicans.




The weather was so nice yesterday (just a light breeze) that we took our lawn chairs to an overlook here in the park. There was a little fog out in the distance but the ocean looked bluer than we had seen it lately. Just a great morning to relax and enjoy the water.




This is the Coquille River lighthouse in Bullards Beach State Park near Bandon. We drove up there a few days ago and even got to tour the lighthouse. There was a park volunteer that took us up to the top of the tower and explained a lot about the river and history of the area. Great views and we even learned a thing or two!




View of the ocean south of Cape Blanco State Park.

Park Hiking Trail

Donnie and Shelby found this great walking trail in the Humbug Mt. State Park where we are still staying. It is the old Highway 101 that runs above the current highway. It is closed off to vehicle use, and makes a great place to walk. Shelby had a great time, running around, sniffing the sea air. She found a great big snail that she found interesting. At least she didn't try to eat it!
The trees along the trail are gigantic. Some of them covered in moss and twisted from the ocean winds.



We walked 4 1/2 miles. Wow, I was really tired, but Donnie and Shelby seemed to take the hike in stride. Guess they have more energy than I do!



Great views of the ocean from the trail. Wish it had been less foggy. Made a good photo anyway.

Whale Watching!!

We have seen our first whale, up close and personal! It is just amazing! We stood here at the edge of the port for at least an hour, watching it feed on crill. We were told by some locals that it is a gray whale. After it got tired of this bay, it moved on north up the coast. What an experience...

Port Orford, Oregon

A few photos of the port at Port Orford. It is an interesting place to watch the fishing boats coming in to port. Port O. is called a dolly port. There are giant yellow cranes called dollies that are used to lower boats into the water, then raise them up when they come back in to port. We watched them for several hours and it was pretty fascinating. When the boats are lifted out of the ocean, they are placed on big boat trailers, then parked at the port until they go out again.



This is a really good restaurant right at the port, called Griff’s on the Dock. We have eaten here twice and really enjoyed the food. Great fish and clam chowder. The lady who works here told us her husband and son are both fishermen here. She also told us that there had been a whale feeding in the bay next to the port for several days. So...we plan to hang out here with our camera and try to catch a glimpse of him (or her?)...