Tue, Oct 12, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 12:57AM Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Charles and I both love a fire so we had one from the time we got to our room in Yachats until we left during the middle of the morning today. There was a large box of firewood outside our door and we burned all of that up practically before we went to bed! The room on the opposite corner also has a fireplace but was not rented so we robbed their box so we could keep a roaring fire going. It was wonderful… nothing relaxes us like a fire and a cup of coffee so this morning was perfect!
Our favorite restaurant in the small town of Yachats was The Landmark and it sat overlooking the ocean where the Yachats River flows into the ocean. Unfortunately, we learned at check-in last night that it had recently closed. We truly hope someone buys it and re-opens a restaurant and that it doesn’t end up as the site of another motel or house.
Charles, being the wonderful husband that he is, knew I wanted to stay by the fire so he went to another local restaurant and brought us back a full hot and hearty breakfast and we ate in front of the fire. Ok, it doesn’t get any better.
After a nice walk on the beach we were ready to pack up and head out. The first item on our agenda was to find the North Fork Yachats Covered Bridge. About ten miles up the Yachats river and a couple of twists and turns not included in our directions, we found it. It was a beautiful bridge in excellent shape and still in use (if you call a bridge on a one lane road with very little traffic in use). Unfortunately, the position of the bridge and the vegetation around it made it difficult to photograph. After climbing down a bank to the water I got a fair shot. From there we took another side road that took us over several high ridges in the deep dark forests of western Oregon. We probably drove 50 miles overall and came out about 6 miles down Highway 101. Oh, well the point is not to go the shortest route but to see as much of this beautiful land as we can.
Then it was time to find a puppy play spot! We chose the Cummins Creek Wayside. They had a big time playing in the creek where it runs into the ocean and then we walked down the beach to a rocky area and watched the waves crash on the rocks as the tide was rolling in. Neither Dodger nor Paris will play in the ocean… they are used to the ponds and creeks on the farm but are intimidated by water that chases them!
After playtime we made the short drive to one of the Heceta Head Lighthouse overlooks. From this overlook we can see the lighthouse and the rocks below are covered sea lions. It is just a few hundred yards below the famous Sea Lion Caves. We sat at the overlook a good while watching the sea lions swimming and playing in the waters below before continuing our trek south.
At Florence, OR we took the South Jetty Beach road out to one portion of the huge Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. There is a large dune covered with sea grass that runs the entire length of the Jetty road and we hiked up to the top and found a path thru the waist high grass that went along the ridge. The pups find the deep sand easier to traverse than we do and the walk down from the top was a lot easier than the climb up. From there we drove out to the end of the Jetty to see the pass into Florence harbor.
Just south of Reedsport we drove thru Winchester Bay and out to the overlook to view more of the huge sand dunes of the Recreation area and also a closeup view of the Umpqua Lighthouse. Then it was on through Coos Bay and finally we arrived at our destination of Bandon, OR. We got a room at our usual motel and then headed to the Wheelhouse Restaurant for a delicious dinner of Creole blackened Halibut… melt in your mouth good and the best coffee we have had since we left Mississippi.
The temperature today made it into the sixties by afternoon and the wind was quite tolerable with the warmer temperatures. Another great day on the road! Back at the room, the pups fell out immediately and I’m sure Charles and I will both sleep soundly tonight too.
We are well tonight and hope yall are too.
Peace, Hope & Love,
Donna, Charles, Paris & Dodger
Reader Comments (1)
A thousand "Thanks!" to you for the pictures of my favorite lighthouse and surrounding area. I can never get enough of looking at your amazing photography. I feel the spray of water hit my face each time I pull a picture up to gaze at......it is like a one minute mental vacation. Keep 'em coming......you Downeys are such a blessing!