We had a slow start because Jim had to take the truck to the dealership early this morning, but once we got started to was a jammed packed day. We found a single highway that runs from the Canadian border all the way to the Mexican border all along the coast and that was our destination.
The Columbia River runs east and west along the border between Washington and Oregon, and then runs out into the Pacific Ocean at Astoria. Astoria dates back to 1792 and is considered one of the oldest cities in the west, before Lewis and Clark made their way here to explore the Pacific Northwest. This Astoria-Megler Bridge is four miles long connecting Washington and Oregon and considered the second longest continuous three-span, through-truss bridge in the world.
Bridge connecting Washington and Oregon over Columbia River – Astoria, OR
The bridge spans over the Columbia so our first real sighting of the Pacific Ocean was when we stopped at Mo’s for clam chowder.
Mo’s Chowder Restaurant – Cannon Beach, OR
It was a good hair day so I let him take a picture of me.
This is what our view was as we ate lunch on the deck. Evidently this is a favorite of Oregonians and visitors alike. There were people all over the beach and several really pretty kites being flown.
Rock Formation at Cannon Beach
Grilled Halibut – Mo’s Seafood Restaurant
After lunch, we continued south looking for more beautiful coastal beaches and two lighthouses. The Tillamook Rock Lighthouse sits on a rock formation out in the water off the coast of the Cannon Beach. These Native American names have been giving our pronunciation skills a workout. Try saying Multnomah, Tualatin, and Tillamook fast, then try Nehalem, Netarts and Neskowin.
Tillamook Rock Lighthouse in the distance
View of Pacific from Ecola State Park, Oregon
The Ecola State Park was actually named by Lewis and Clark after the Chinook Indian word “ekoli” for whale.
If you look hard in this next picture you can see black and white Murres nestled in the rocks. At first we thought they might be Puffins, but a sign soon corrected us.
Murres on rocks off Ecola State Park
View of landscape from Ecola State Park
Onward farther south to find the Cape Meares Lighthouse. They certainly don’t like to put these lighthouses in places that are easy to find or get to. The winding road with all manner of switchbacks and tight turns made us really glad we weren’t dragging our RV behind us. But oh was it worth it when we got there.
View of cliffs at Cape Mears Lighthouse
Cape Mears Lighthouse near Tillamook, OR
View of coastline from Cape Mears Lighthouse
This tree is called the “Octopus Tree” and is estimated to be 350 – 400 years old. They don’t know whether it grew like this naturally or if the Indians did something to promote it but check out the base of this tree. There are six trees growing out from the root and each one curves upward.
Check out the whole in the base of the largest rock. We didn’t get home until after 9 pm after a dinner at Subway at 8, but I’m so glad we went. By the way, did you notice once we got past the mountains we actually had sun.
Tomorrow we move farther south and a little closer to the Central Coast of Oregon. Plenty more to come!
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