Road trip - the Oregon coast
Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 2:20PM It's January. You are partied-out and broke. The weather is dreary and cold. So! How about a road trip?
In August 2009, my family traveled to Oregon to visit my son Josh, who lives in Portland. It was great having my three boys and Lou and I all together. We decided to tour part of the Oregon coast, and this is a good time to share some of the photos I took. Enjoy!
We started our trip in Florence, Oregon. Here is a view of the Old Town fishing village located in Florence on the Siuslaw River.
Some more views of Florence from across the river:
Florence is located adjacent to the Oregon Dunes recreational area, which sprawls for over forty miles along the Oregon coast and is the largest stretch of coastal dunes in the United States. These amazing dunes reach up to 300 feet high, and the views are spectacular.
We went for a "sand rail" tour of the dunes, a thrilling adventure which was akin to riding a moon buggy on a roller coaster. I wasn't able to take many pictures on this tour, because most of the time I was holding on for dear life.
After leaving Florence, we traveled up the coast to Lincoln City. We stopped first outside Florence to view the man-eating plants at the Darlingtonia Botanical Wayside. Okay, these giant pitcher plants may not consume humans, but they do eat big bugs. I wouldn't want to fall off the path and get trapped there.
We continued our tour of the coast and saw some fabulous coastal views.
I was impressed by the masses of wildflowers which grow along the coast.
Flowers bordered this path next to the coast. The three young men are my sons.
We spent the night in Lincoln City, and the beach outside our condo was a special place.
Barnacle encrusted rock formations on the beach form a natural aquarium, and hundreds of sea urchins, anemones, star fish, and other sea creatures make their homes here.
After leaving Lincoln City, we traveled inland, back toward Portland. In a post later this week I will show you what we did next. Stay tuned - it's exciting! - Deborah
Reader Comments (15)
Deb, Thanks for providing these wonderfully warm images. I love that stand of fireweed on the hillside by the path.
Gorgeous views, from what I've heard, I think I'd love to live either there or Washington.
Deb, Your photos are wonderful and offer to mine eyes great joy in seeing this part of the country I have not visited. You sure have inspired me to do so!! Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks so much for sharing.
Deborah,
Great post ! I studied to be a marine biologist until I figured out their yearly income potential. I have always loved the ocean and lived close by it. Loved the pictures.
PS If you flattened out the picture of the sanddune with sea oats it kind of resembles my yard. Just replace the sea oats with weeds.
That's just what I needed on this cold and snowy day! Thanks for taking me on a visit to a part of the country I've never seen. I grew up near sand dunes in Michigan, and remember many happy hours climbing them. Whew!
Deb, so happy you got to spend some time on our beautiful Oregon coast. We love going there at least 3-4 times a year. Beautiful part of the country and very nice photos!
Hi Deb,
What a beautiful trip along the coast. I have never visited Oregon, but have always wanted too. Who knew that there were sand dunes in Oregon?
aloha deb, what a great hike, i love seeing all different types of beaches and this was amazing, who knew there were huge sand dunes in oregon...the countryside there is spectacular, reminds me of the wild coast along the northern california border. beautiful pictures also, you captured some great vistas
noel
Sounds and looks like you had a great time!
Deb, wow! I just love this place. The beaches and the scenery are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Beautiful photos! Next time you'll have to come up to the Columbia River Gorge.
That was fun. I like the photo of the beach with Queen Anne's Lace in foreground.
love the pics some great views
Hi Deb - Lovely trip - congratulations on your blog - I read that you just started in October. I too am new at blogging and I was admiring all your links & site -good job - I think blogging is good brain exercise, especially when we are teaching it to ourselves.
Hi Deb, just found your site in a random search of coastal garden sites... nice post. I am fortunate enough to garden for a living on the Oregon coast! It was fun to see your pics and comments about our little piece of heaven, we live in Lincoln City. If you ever return (or your readers), it's worth your time to see the Connie Hansen Garden in the north part of town. A wonderful collection of rhododendrons, irises etc collected by a botanist over many years. It is free and maintained by amazing garden volunteers. Hope you will check out my blog too. :) http://oregoncoastgardener.blogspot.com