June 14. 2008 by Merilee.

  Hammond, Oregon

We have settled at Fort Stevens State Park on the very north and westernmost tip of Oregon.  This is the south jetty looking at the beach we will jeep on tomorrow, weather permitting.  The mouth of the Columbia River is just to the right of this picture.  It is full of huge container vessels from around the world.  They come very close as the shipping channel runs by the long jetty.

 Yes, this is the second day of sunshine since we have been on the coast.  It is much appreciated for a moving day.  It seems every time we move in Oregon it is raining and every time we set up camp it is raining.

We shall be traveling to Colorado for the next 10 days and may not have internet access every day.  I will post when I can.

Posted in Oregon | Print | No Comments »

June 5. 2008 by Merilee.

Newport, Oregon

We had a rainy, windy foggy drive up the spectacular coast to Newport today.  I had hoped to see some great waves and we did today on the coastal drive.  Unfortunately, my brain did not make the connection of big waves = bad weather. 

We are camped on the bay in the Port of Newport next to the picturesque pleasure and working dock and marina.  This is the view from the back door of the camper.  It is too cold, windy (40 mph gusts) to actually take the camera out into the salt spray today. 

This is a very long bridge named Yaquina Bay bridge.  Can’t wait to explore this area with it’s world famous Oregon Coast Aquarium and long list of famous seafood restaurants.

Posted in Oregon | Print | No Comments »

June 1. 2008 by Merilee.

   Coos Bay, Oregon

The local Indians tell the tale of an Indian princess that was turned to stone by an angry sea spirit.  My NH friends may note that I have heard mention lamenting the loss of the Man of Mountain here in Bandon, Oregon.  Click on the pic to see it larger and maybe you can see the profile of head turned skyward.  Have I been looking at too many rocks lately?  I have been enjoying the varied seastacks on the coast.  Oh yes, does the sun ever shine on this stunning Oregon coast?

Posted in Oregon | Print | No Comments »

May 29. 2008 by Merilee.

  Cape Blanco, Oregon

We toured the first lighthouse on the Oregon coast today.  It is located on the westernmost point in the US.  Constructed in 1870 to aid shipping and fishing fleets.  Today it is the oldest standing lighthouse on the Oregon coast.  I just wish the sun had made an appearance.  I posted a pic of the fresnel lens on Flickr.  The climb to the top was not bad except the last 10 steps were on a skinny ladder.  It was a fabulous view of the cliffs below and the Cape Blanco reef.

Posted in Oregon | Print | No Comments »

May 28. 2008 by Merilee.

  Port Orford, Oregon

It is interesting that the harbor at Port Orford has no protection from southern swells.  So the fishing fleet hoist their boats out of the harbor onto wheeled dollies!  Weird sight to be sure. 

The weather here is cold, drizzling and very foggy.  We drove to the Cape Blanco lighthouse but could not see anything but heard the sound of the waves on the rocks far below.  Maybe tomorrow will be better to see the westernmost point in the USA.

Posted in Oregon | Print | No Comments »

May 27. 2008 by Merilee.

   The drive north up the Oregon coast was stunning at every turn.  There were numerous vista points to stop and soak in the panorama.  The weather is in the sixties and sunny for the most part.  I think the coastal weather can change at any moment much like Maine.

Click on the pic to view it large.

Humbug Moutain, Oregon

Posted in Oregon | Print | No Comments »