We had dinner at Kendra’s Kitchen (owner-chef) in Tillamook…I tried the clam chowder and Kent the fish and chips. We were both very satisfied with our choices and topped them off with yummy desserts: rhubarb strawberry crisp and marion berry pie. YUM.
We caught a glimpse of coastal hang gliders and went to check out where they launch. They do a bunch of prep, probably much like parachutist, then snap into a harness/seat. With a flick of their wrists the parachute inflates, they turn 180 degrees and step off into thin air. They seemed to have great thermals and were able to stay aloft a long time and to do lots of stunts that dump air but then climb right back up. Looked like great fun. I was quite satisfied to watch from the ground though
We checked out three more capes, their beaches and lighthouses. I think the southern 2/3 of the Oregon coast is a little prettier. They are still logging pretty heavily here in the northern section plus they have never recovered totally from a huge forest fire in the 30s. Most inland vistas include at least some stump-strewn hill tops and eroded mountain faces so it doesn’t seem as pristine.
We found a short trail through the rainforest to a beautiful 300 ft waterfall. The combination of really rugged terrain and very wet likely saved it from both fire and logging and now it is a state forest and preserved (I hope) for posterity. It was lovely. Trees are hanging full of Methuselah’s whiskers and witches hair lichen (cool names huh?).
They have covered bridges here too. We checked one out today. The construction is a little different from those in the Midwest or PA but still sort of old world romantic. Red of course.
The US Forest Service makes a dandy one. We hiked a short trail to a waterfall overlook. It included a 240 foot long swinging bridge over Drift Creek with a view of the falls from the bridge. It wasn’t all swingy and wild like the ones on Temple of Doom but it had the wonderful bounce under my footsteps. It made the hike! The falls were pretty too.
We happened upon the final evening event of an arts festival in Lincoln City OR, the launching of about 100 sky lanterns. They let them go on the beach and they floated off across the bay. They were actually part of a fund raiser for the Cancer Association…each representing a dream or hope or prayer for someone whose life has been touched by cancer. It is a wonderful sentiment. Made me think of how close it has come in our families: Grandparents, Parents, Uncle……
Lots of rumbling about how not-environmentally-friendly they are. Setting fires. Harming livestock and wildlife. No surprise I suppose; but, it was still a wonderful sentiment!
There be whales here though and today there be sunshine. We had a beautiful morning with calm seas that made whale spout spotting much easier. One of the year round resident whales hung out for an hour or so in the bay where we could watch. We saw lots of seals as well as an assortment of sea birds. Seaside bluffs and a devils punchbowl rock formation made for great ocean views while we gazed out watching for that puff of mist.
We heard it first. A Peregrine Falcon bringing dinner back to the family. We never saw the chicks but the falcon posed beautifully for us once it finished its parental duties. They have striking markings on their face. We had just headed back to the highway when we spotted a Bald Eagle circling overhead. He stayed pretty high but with binoculars we got a great look. All this at the end of our visit to the tide pools and lighthouse (the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon coast and one with docents in period costume) at Yaquina Head. They claim to have the largest colony of nesting Common Murre on the off-shore rocks. They look just like mini penguins. Cute, but in these quantities we smelled them before we saw them!