More road signs in Oregon:

 

It is illegal to pass if the solid line is in your lane

 

Do not pass snowplows on the right

 

Tsunami Evacuation Route

 Valuable land - unusual house...

 

 

September 28^th – We went to church in Rockaway Beach at Our Lady of the Sea. With the beach access right off the parking lot and a beautiful view of the Ocean it really lived up to the name. After lunch we spent the afternoon on the beach – no hiking today…

 

September 27^th – We shortened the morning walk so we could do a couple hikes on our three “Capes” tour today. On the way into Tillamook we saw the Farmer’s Market sign and had to stop. We got some fruit, peppers and some garlic humus. The first was Cape Meares and it had a lighthouse that was deactivated in 1963 after 79 years of service. It is the shortest one on the coast but its position high on a bluff made up for that. It was just a ¾ mile hike followed by another ½ mile to the Octopus tree – it is a very large Sitka Spruce with a 46 foot base and no center trunk. Very unusual. Huge Arch rocks (3) in the Ocean here that house nesting for some unusual water birds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next stop was Cape Lookout which involved a 2 ½ mile hike –each way- with an 800 foot elevation change. What they forgot to mention – all down going and all up coming back. WHEW!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next stop Cape Kiwanda - no hiking here, just a drive to the beach with some awesome views and photo ops. This are was made famous by the Dory boats and the unique way they were launched into the ocean waves.  On the way we passed Sand Dunes, inland far from any beach and on the way home we stopped at Munson Falls. At 315 feet it is the highest point on the coast.



Cape Kiwanda

 

September 26^th – We got another shower while on our morning walk and it just kept raining off and on all morning so we headed into Tillamook to tour the Cheese Factory. They really make good stuff and we were able to sample some of the products including the Ice Cream. Okay – so we had desert first and then we split a grilled cheese sandwich and some tomato soup and both were great. Then we stopped at the visitors information place and got some ideas for hikes and the Cape tour for tomorrow. We crossed a 1931 Bowstring Arch Bridge on the way back.

September 25^th – Today we move just a little farther down the Oregon coast to Rockaway Beach. But first we hit the beach for our walk and found that yesterday’s high tide and pounding surf along with over 3 inches of rain made changes in the sand. It was much firmer a long way from the water, and lots of jellyfish we had not seen here before. One last morning for Pickleball until we find another court. Several very close matches made a fun morning. We got here and setup camp in-between rain showers but decided not to go touring in the rain. Rain off and on all night but only 7 tenths in the gauge.

 

September 24^th – Back to the walk on the beach and Pickleball, but we did have to squeegee the puddles off first. After lunch we did some shopping to restock before tomorrow’s move. We went out for Mexican with friends.

 

September 23^rd – Well, this is unusual. A rainy morning and no walk on the beach (or anywhere else) and no Pickleball. We did a few things around here and said goodbye to friends. By 10 it was just cloudy so we decided to finish our chores have a quick lunch and head out to finish Fort Clatsop.

We also stopped to see the Salt Works in Seaside where they boiled ocean water to get salt foe seasoning their food.

Fort Clatsop still flies the 15 Star U S Flag from Thomas Jefferson's presidency since he was the force behind the Lewis & Clark expedition. It started with a light rain on the way home about 4 and hasn’t stopped 2 inches in the gauge by 10 on top of the ¾ overnight. Had friends over to play cards (Jay & Sandy)

 

September 22^nd – Another walk on the beach, then clean the dog and have coffee before Pickleball. Last time with some of the friends from the cruise group because they leave tomorrow. After a little lunch we headed to some of the Lewis & Clark sites near here. Dismal Nitch, Cape Disappointment (two lighthouses here)  – I think their time here was not as enjoyable as ours.

 

September 21^st – No walk this morning. We headed to church and right on to Astoria. We toured the Maritime Museum, took the Trolley tour, and  we did not eat at the famous Bowpicker (a fish & Chips place in a boat) because the line was a block long most of the day. We climbed the Column (164 winding stairs to a 360 degree platform at the highest point in the city with a great view of the city and the coastline. Then we hiked a mile or so to the Cathedral tree – a huge tree that is hollow at the base.

 

We walked the multi-use trail out to the city docks to see the seals that think they were put in for their sunbathing and boy are they noisy! All that barking they do would be really annoying if you lived close by. Lexi even thought she should bark back a couple times. Their Farmers Market covered three blocks and had a lot of fruit and vegetables along with a food court and lots of craft items.