Thursday, August 25, 2016

August 24, 2016 Lighthouses, sea lions, and sea stars (Lucky Loggers RV Park, Coos Bay, OR)

We left Rockaway Beach at 8:30 this morning, and arrived in Coos Bay at 6:30 p.m.  182 miles and ten hours!  That's a lot of scenery per hour!!!

Highway 101 is always curvy; there is always traffic; and....there was so much to see today!

We had scoped out a one-way southbound scenic road just after leaving Rockaway Beach.  We were in the lead.  Just as we turned there was a sign that said "not recommended for trucks, rv's, motorhomes".  Oops!  We used the walkie-talkie to warn the others to keep on going.  There was no place to turn around.  We--actually Glen--kept on going.  It was narrow, one lane with a bike lane on the right, with great views off to the right.  I could barely enjoy the scenery as I was speculating why the road wasn't recommended for RV's--low bridges?

We made it without incident.  The rest of the family caravan stayed on 101 and we caught up with each other a couple of miles down the road.

 This black-tailed deer and a pal(not in pic) were on a small strip of grass at a scenic viewpoint between the ocean and the highway.

 Ocean views are like mountains.  I just keep taking pictures!

 Stellar sea lions sunning themselves.

 More Stellar sea lions at cove at Yaquina Head Lighthouse.
 Yaquina Head Lighthouse.  This stands 162 feet above sea level.
 Use your imagination.  This is the fin of a grey whale.  It was in the cove at Yaquina Head Lighthouse.
 Same grey whale off the point of the big rock. It was in the area for several minutes.  We were able to watch is spout water, roll, and dive.

 Yaquina Head Lighthouse.
 This purple sea anemone is in a tidal pool at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse.

 A beautiful green sea anemone.

 Another purple sea anemone.

 A beautiful sea star.  Those are legs going off to the left and right on the upper side of the sea star.

 Gayla in front of a Sitka spruce.

 These were alongside the road at a pullover.

 Heceta Head Lighthouse. This lighthouse sits 205 above sea level.  Its automated beacon shines 21 miles from land.

 Glen and the other six (not me) walked down appx 100 steps to an elevator, which went 200feet down.  They exited the elevator into a sea cave, then walked another 40 steps to a viewing platform, and another 40 steps to a second viewing platform.  They were inside the cave, but could see the sea, the Heceta Head Lighthouse, and several sea birds which they couldn't identify.

After returning up the elevator, walked up a slope to the office building, and then down another slope to a viewing platform where they could see these female Stellar sea lions and pups.

You can see why I didn't go!! My tootsies were worn out before all of that!

I think there might be a day of rest tomorrow.  On the other hand there are some things we want to do in this area.  Stay tuned!


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