A Trip to the Oregon Coast

I've been going to Oregon a lot in the last couple of years.  Last year, I believe I went 8 different times.  Now that my parents are living on the coast, it's become my go-to spot for vacations (it always kind of was but now it's even more so).  Anyway, Jeff and I loaded up the dogs last week and headed to Oregon to stay in Yachats, our favorite getaway spot.

My initial plan for hiking on the coast was to hike from Washburne Campground to Haceta Head.  But months of lethargy since my backpacking trip in Oregon have resulted in my physical state being less than ideal, so I chickened out on this short (4.3 miles round trip) but hilly hike. But I did manage to do other little hikes.

As a kid living in Eugene, I went to the coast with my family at least once a month.  My grandmother's favorite spots were always Cape Perpetua and Haceta Head so I've been there many, many times but I always love going back.  Cape Perpetua is managed by the Forest Service and has a great visitor center and numerous hiking trails to enjoy.  Many of the trails meet up or follow the Oregon Coast Trail.  In fact, if I wanted I could hike from Yachats to Cape Perpetua and back.  It would be a long hilly hike but satisfying.  I really enjoy walking to places that I previously only ever drove to.  It's part of my desire to see things in a different way - lately I've been forcing myself to slow down and check things out more thoroughly and I'm enjoying it immensely.  It makes the "known" fresh and interesting again.

At Cape Perpetua, Jeff and I did the short hike out to the Giant Spruce.  It follows a stream, climbing gradually to the tree.  It was nice to be on a forested, duffy trail again.

Lovely little trail.  Built by the CCC in the 1930s, apparently.

I was fascinated by this trees growing out of a "nurse log."

This tree is growing out of a "nurse stump."

Jeff and dogs by the Giant Spruce - 40 feet in circumference. 

Wow.  Tall tree.

After Cape Perpetua, we went up to Haceta Head and walked the short trail up to the lighthouse - supposedly the most photographed lighthouse in the country.  I've been coming here forever but it's always a lovely sight.

Jeff loved the lighthouse symbol on this sign.

Nice view of the Haceta Head beach and assistant lightkeepers' duplex.

Lighthouse peeking out from the hill.

My kind of artsy photo of the lighthouse.

Other photos from our trip:

Stormy view from the north viewpoint at Sea Lion Caves.  That's Haceta Head in the distance.

The Alsea Bridge at Waldport. The historic bridge was demolished in the 1980s due to structural concerns but they kept the beautiful old lights and towers and incorporated them into the new bridge.  The light is solid glass that has solarized to a nice honey color (due to selenium in the glass).

Jeff checks out one of the towers at the end of the bridge.  As a historic preservation specialist, it makes me happy to see these old elements of the historic bridge preserved.

Mt. Shasta as we cruise south on I-5, heading home.