This is a continuation of our driving vacation visiting the Pacific Coast Lighthouses.
After we left Crescent City, we approached the California/Oregon border. Six miles off shore right near the border stands thr St. George's Reef Lighthouse. It is out on a rocky bluff and is only accessible by boat or helicopter. The lighthouse is made of concrete and granite and has now been restored and is a museum. It was clear enough the day we drove up the coast that we were able to see it.
Driving up into Oregon, the southernmost lighthouse we visited was at Cape Blanco. Cape Blanco is a spur that juts out one and a half miles to the coast. At the end stands this magnificent white lighthouse surrounded by grassy knolls and the blue Pacific Ocean. There is a small house that is attached to the lighthouse column which are painted white with red trim. We were lucky enough to go there on a day when there was a docent inside who let us look around. There are a few books and pictures for you to purchase downstairs if you wish. We were now allowed to go up in the tower, but we could only imagine the incredible view had we been able to get there.
Our next stop on our quest for lighthouses was to the Coquille River Lighthouse. The lighthouse is not open to the public and is in need of some repair. It appeared to be constructed out of brick and concrete and painted white. It was a small base building with several rectangle windows around for viewing - now the glass all missing - and the tower was attached on the ocean side of the building. It is located where the Coquille River meets the Pacific Ocean. It is on a cliff above a beautiful sandy beach full of Oregon driftwood.
As we drove further into Oregon, we wanted to visit the Umpqua River Lighthouse. It is located six miles off of Highway 101, and well worth the drive to get there. There is a nice park surrounding the lighthouse on the river. The lighthouse tower stands tall on a 100 foot ridge high above the sand dunes and the Pacific Ocean below. This is actually the second Umpqua River Lighthouse. The first came crashing down due to the extreme weather elements; but this was constructed in a safer place.
The most impressive lighthouse we came upon on our adventure was the Heceta Head Lighthouse. Story has it that it is the most photographed lighthouse in the United States. It is located above the Oregon Lion Caves about 12 miles north of Florence on Highway 101. When you drive into the park, you must park your car in a parking lot down at sea level. We hiked up the hill to the top where we found a fabulous view of the Oregon coast and a charming lighthouse keeper's home and out buildings that are now a bed and breakfast. If you go about 1/4 miles further, you will come to this beautiful lighthouse perched right on the edge of the Oregon coastline. The view is spectacular and dramatic from the top of the hill, looking down the cliffs and out to the ocean. The tower stands over 200 feet tall and has a red tile roof on top of the while concrete structure. With the rain that this area receives all year, the grounds were green and the flowers were blooming. It was so peaceful. You could hear the waves crashing on the cliffs below and the seagulls flying around in the crisp air against the blue sky. It was simply breathtaking.
Our last two lighthouses on this trip were Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and Yaquina Head Lighthouse. These are both near Newport. Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is open year round and very easy to get to and to visit. It is full of memorabilia and of course, the usual lighthouse tourist gadgets. You can actually see the Yaquina Head Lighthouse on the other side of the river. It's tower is the tallest on the Oregon Coast standing 162 feet tall. If you wish, you can climb the circular staircase to the top and have the view worth a million dollars.
From here, we turned inland and went to visit family in Portland and eventually drive back home to San Diego. Both of us feel that this was one of the best vacations we have ever taken and we would highly recommend it to anyone. It was relaxing because we had no time schedule - we merely drove until we wanted to stop. We got out and visited these magnificent lighthouses and learned about their history and heard their stories.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment