Pacific NW Hiking and Road Trip – Part 2

Tuesday, July 24th:
We crossed the Oregon border. Temperatures went from the high 80s to the 60s and with it the coast was enveloped in fog. We lucked out at the Natural Bridges Scenic viewpoint as the fog cleared as we stood at the viewpoint enabling us to take these photos. It was at this little parking area where we had a bizarre Tesla moment. We had seen hardly any Teslas since we left home and an absolute twin to ours (right down to where the California car pool sticker was placed) pulls in next to us!

We continued north along the scenic coastline. Coastal fog continue due to the cooler temperatures. This section of the Oregon coast was also known for strong winds. We stopped at Cape Blanco Lighthouse which is the oldest standing lighthouse on the westernmost point of the Oregon coast and again at Face Rock south of Bandon that has a beautiful beach studded with rocky fingers and promontories with it’s basalt monolith hoping to take in the beautiful scenery. Unfortunately, as you can see from our photos and video it was not to be.

This Cape Blanco Windy Video of Joe trying to get out of the car at Cape Blanco pretty much tells the whole story!

Wednesday, July 25th:
We got started a little bit later in the day today, hoping that it would give the fog an opportunity to lift. Our first “hoped” hike was to be at Heceto Head Lighthouse. The lighthouse is wedged into a 1,000 foot rocky outcrop.

We traveled north to Newport, one of Oregon’s largest commercial fishing ports. The Yaquina Bay Bridge that stretches 3,223 feet, is one of 11 bridges on the coast listed on the national register of historic places. and ate lunch at the Rogue Ales Public House. Enroute to our B&B location for tonight we stopped at Otter Crest State Scenic viewpoint to get our last views of the Oregon coast before the evening fog rolled in. After checking in to our Rose Garden room at the Sandlake Country Inn  we headed back to Pacific City for dinner tonight at the first Pelican Brewing Tap room.

Thursday, July 26th:
So fun to finally stay in a B&B vs a hotel. Our breakfast was served in our room. Absolutely massive and delicious.

We started the day with a hike at Cape Lookout. It was a highly rated hike with supposedly ultra scenic views. Unfortunately, the fog didn’t clear for us to justify the 3 miles out to the view point. The trail turned muddy from the thick fog that had turned in to rain.

We had better luck a little further north at Oswald West State Park where we completed the 5 mile hike on the Cape Falcon Trail. The start of the trail wound tightly along the cliffs edge and then became more challenging with roots of the trees filling the trail. The occasional fallen tree presented more challenges until finally we ended up weaving between hedgerows to the top rewarding us with absolutely amazing views. The cliff-edged heights made my toes tingle!

We stopped at famous Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach on our way to Astoria where we would spend a couple of nights at Clementines B&B.Thursday night’s brew pub visit was to Buoy Beer Co. The views were more remarkable than their brews.

Friday, July 27th:

Our day started with a delicious home cooked breakfast. Our first stop was the wreck of Peter Iredale on the beach at Fort Stevens State Park. We had lunch at the Oregon famous institution, Mo’s Chowder house with views on the bay.
To work off our chowder lunch we climbed to the top of the Astoria Column which afforded us spectacular views on this gorgeous afternoon.
Our last night in Astoria we went to Fort George brew pub. Their beers were much more to our liking… hazy and yummy. The food was delicious and the ambiance very cool right down to the roll up side doors (for good weather of course) and funky chandeliers.