Cape Perpetua, Oregon

June 25, 2023

We were expecting our travel day to be mostly rainy, and we did encounter a bit of rain along the way, but it wasn't too bad. We actually had more sun than clouds, and by the time we reached our destination it was mostly sunny, but on the cool side (mid 50s).

It had snowed in the upper elevations, but at least it wasn't actively snowing while we were driving

All clear now

The Oregon coast!

Our campsite was surrounded by lush forest with a stream out back

Our backyard for the week

After setup and dinner, we immediately got in the car to check out the ocean, both for the view, and for some internet service for our weekly cards game/kibitz session with Rick's mom and our kids.

After cards, we took a trail down to the shore

We spent a couple of beautiful sunny (yet cool) days exploring the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. Just behind our campsite was a path through a lush forest along a babbling stream. In just under a mile, this path led to the Visitor Center and then to the coast (for a total of about 4 miles).

Picking wild salmonberries

They tasted ok, but not great

Julie's shade garden in St. Charles never looked this lush!

The visitor center had samples of many of the plants we encountered on the trail

It was fun to sit and watch the crashing waves ---from a distance 😉

One morning was spent tide-pooling.

We were surprised to find several starfish high and dry on the rocks. Apparently, some of the larger species can survive up to 28 hours out of water.

This starfish looks like it posed just for us 😉

Afterwards, we took an enticing trail leading to a giant spruce tree.

This sitka spruce is over 500 years old

Later that day, we rode our bikes (17 miles total) up into the hills surrounding the coast, in hopes of some good views. 

While on our bikes, we usually avoid mountain bike trails (MBT translation: steep, narrow, rocky, root-infested hiking trail) ---but this short-ish trail promised a viewpoint at the end.

The "viewpoint" turned out to be kind of meh for the amount of effort involved. This picture makes it look more satisfying than it actual was.

The trail had some pretty wild irises at least

Back on the road toward the top of Cape Perpetua, the highest point along the Oregon Coast. Since there's a parking lot there, it's probably a decent view.

Julie really liked all the blooming cow parsnip plants

Quite a decent view!

A stone shelter built by the CCC

Thursday morning at our campsite was warm and sunny (mid 60s), and we put on some shorts for the first time in several days and hung out on the deck all morning enjoying the sounds of the rushing stream behind our campsite. In the afternoon, we once again donned our long pants and jackets and headed north a few miles to the small coastal town of Yachats (pronounced Ya-Hots).  We walked about 5 miles along the coast and town.

Looking south from Yachats toward Cape Perpetua (tall bluff in the background)

Quite the unusual roof!

Julie was enthralled with the idea of calla lilies just growing in people's yards

It looked like most every plant was easy to grow here

The city had restored a small previously-drained wetland in the center of town

The oceanside 804 Trail in Yachats

This large house with an entire face of glass reminded Julie of her childhood Barbie Dream House (just not quite as pink)

The rugosa roses smelled wonderful. Julie used to grow these too, but they never looked this happy.

We walked through a small botanical preserve in town

By the end of our walk we were tired and hungry. Some yummy fish and chips were a great way to end the day.

Friday was a rainy day spent reading books mostly, but we did take a walk out of the campground to the ocean overlook to stretch our legs.

Saturday, we parked at the one spot nearby along the coast where there seemed to be reliable cell service to catch up on stuff and work on the blog. Later, we headed to Mass at a small church up the coast. The priest (and the congregation) was more, shall we say, animated than is usual, and we kind of felt like we were part of a tent revival. But, that's part of what we enjoy about traveling around the country--you tend to experience lots of different things.

On Sunday, we went to the nearby Haceda Head lighthouse. It was sunny when we got there, but clouds (or fog?) quickly moved in just as we were leaving. It's amazing how cold it can feel down by the water when it is windy and the sun disappears.

We stopped along the highway to snap a few photos

We got to go inside the lighthouse, but not upstairs :(

Within less than a half hour of taking this shot, the sun was completely gone

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