June 8, 2014
Cape Lookout Oregon
State Park & Cape Meares Lighthouse
It was only 53 degrees when we arrived
here shortly after 12:00 noon.
After fixing lunch we took a short walk
from our campsite over the dunes to the Pacific Ocean, where Ton promptly took
off his shoes and went to check out the ocean.
He did step in it but it’s not Florida and is definitely way to cold to
swim.
warnings for going on the beach
Ready to explore
I sat comfortable in my beach chair in front of this log, while Ton walked the beach.
When he finished, we went to visit the Cape Meares Lighthouse
Cape Meares Lighthouse
Oregon’s shortest lighthouse stands 38 feet atop Cape Meares and 217 feet above the ocean. In 1886 the U.S. Congress approved $60,000 for it’s construction and it took Craftsmen only one year to build, using bricks made on site and then covering the exterior with iron plates.
The tower light is a first order eight-sided Fresnel lens, hand ground in 1887 by Henry LePaute in Paris. A first order is the largest and most powerful of the 6 Fresnel types.
Within the Cape Meaars park, you can hike up to the
Octopus Tree
This popular attraction is
an unusually large Sitka Spruce aptly named for its unique shape.
The forces that shaped
this unique Sitka spruce have been debated for many years. Whether natural events or possibly Native
Americans were the cause remains a mystery.
The tree measures more
than 10 feet at its base, is 46 feet in circumference and has no central trunk,
uncommon for a spruce. Instead, limbs
3 – 5 feet thick branch out from the ground extending horizontally from the base
as much as 16 feet before turning upward.
It is 105 feet tall and estimated to be 250 – 300 years old.
Designated an Oregon
Heritage Tree. April, 2009, it grows in the Cape Meares Lighthouse and Wildlife
Refuge.
June 9, 2014 - Tillamook & Munson Falls
Today started off with a
cold morning (to us Floridians) in the middle 50’s but seemed a lot colder with
the wind blowing off the beach. I’m
glad our campsite is behind the sand dunes to break the wind. Ton handles it pretty well, and took a
morning beach walk, and I stayed inside.
I guess I’m just a wimp. J LOL
When he got back to the RV, we went North and did some sightseeing along the coastline.
The Oregon coast along the Pacific is a
sight to behold - Gorgeous
It had some beautiful scenic pull outs on the road, and we took
advantage of a lot of them
We saw lots of wildlife during the day
Sea Lions sunning on the rocks
Pelicans
The unusual "Common Murre"so well known in this area have manners.
Because they choose to nest in crowded conditions, they develop a number of calls enabling
them to live together harmoniously for the most part. Disputes occur when they are defending the tiny territory they use year after year.
Threats: Intruders are warded off with a threat display such as standing in front of the intruder.
Appeasement: Fights between murres are usually brief, shortened by use of one of the several displays such as side preening, turning or stretching away.
Excuse Me! Murres use a specific when passing through dense groups.
Seabird chicks have to choices when they are ready to leave the nest: jump or fly?
Some species jump, most take their first flight.
Jumpers, like common murres cannot fly when they leave. Tiny, 3 week old murre chicks leap from the tops of the rocks and cliffs, gliding down to to the water on their stubby little wings. Some fall on the rocks below and die. For others, once at sea, the chicks join their father who, alone, cares for them at sea for another 6 - 8 weeks.
Not and easy life
We did stop in Tillamook,
Oregon’s unofficial dairy capitol, and Tillamook Cheese Factory for some tasting and factory tour and some ice
cream to top it off.
On the way back to our
campground we stopped at Munson Creek State Natural Site to take a look. It was a dirt road but worth going too.
It’s a rainforest atmosphere with moss hanging on the large trees and a long walk up to the falls.
It’s a rainforest atmosphere with moss hanging on the large trees and a long walk up to the falls.
Ton took the trail to the viewpoint overlooking the highest waterfall (319 ft.) in the Coast Mountain Range.
This is the path Ton took to the waterfall
It’s a rainforest atmosphere with moss
hanging on the large trees and a long walk up to the falls. Ton took the trail to the viewpoint
overlooking the highest waterfall (319 ft.) in the Coast Mountain Range.
When he got back to the car he shared the orange fruit berry he ate from the trees
This is what I do best, sit and enjoy the surroundings
We came home from our scenic drive and it was time to relax.....
at least that's what I thought.
We had a small late lunch
and Ton got itchy again. He can't sit still so he is now doing a 5 mile trail in the park.
The park ranger told us it was a moderate difficult trail - 2 1/2 miles to
a beautiful lookout and then the 2 1/2 back. It was up and downhill
just like driving in the mountains.
As you see, it wasn't a smooth or easy trail
He finally made it high above the Pacific Ocean
Don't look down
or lose your footing
Just enjoy the view
This doesn't look too safe...
what if the cable broke.
I would not have allowed this picture to happen. :)
I always look forward to seeing his pictures when he gets back and hope you enjoy them when they are posted.
After we enjoyed a nice supper in our little motorhome, we took a walk to
the beach to end the day.....with a beautiful Sunset.
After we enjoyed a nice supper in our little motorhome, we took a walk to
the beach to end the day.....with a beautiful Sunset.
Sunset is a 9:00 p.m. here
It was a fun-filled day.....
and then Ton wonders why he is so tired at the end of it. :)
2 comments:
I need this on my bucket list too. Love the walk but would NOT be as brave as Ton and message to Ton - STOP BEING SO BRAVE! Love seeing all the beautiful sites and pictures of the two of you. Almost feel like I'm there with you - oh wait, I AM!
Getting lots and lots of rain here - yellow flies are out and I have 6 bites to prove it! Didn't even know they existed until yesterday while weeding. Can't wait until next group of pictures. Love & hugs, Betty
Love the pics. That is a pretty sunset. OMG the pelicans! I think I would avoid the strange orange berries! Love you both and miss you so much!
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