Today we decided to check out the scenic views in the area. The storm is raging, windy, and heavy rain. Our first stop down Rte 101 S was Boiler Bay. The ocean waves roll and crash in various directions making the water look like its boiling. The waves were about 8 - 10 feet high and the spray was coming up over the rocks in huge sprays. The only word to describe it would be "tumultuous".
Further south toward Newport we took the Otter Crest Loop (part of old 101). We stopped at several overlooks to marvel at the changing views and the power and force of the sea. The Otter Crest Wayside sits 453 feet above the ocean on Cape Foulweather (perfect name). This is a great place for whale watching. We stood on the cliff edge where we could see Yaquina Head Lighthouse in the distance. A plaque at the wayside told us winds could exceed 100 mph.
Down the road, past the swirling water of Devil's Punch Bowl overlook and on to Yaquina Head Light Natural Area. The first stop is at the visitor center where we watched videos about the building of the light and the keepers who kept it going. Yaquina Head is a thin coastal headland which extends 1 mile into the ocean. It was formed by ancient lava flows. It's a great place to explore tidepools, trails, and the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon coast at 162 feet above sea level. You could spend the whole day here. The light at Yaquina Head was first illuminated in August 1873. We pulled into the lighthouse parking lot and grabbed the camera, however, when we got out the wind was so strong we could hardly stand up....oh well back into the car...
Further down 101S to the little beach town of Nye Beach. After browsing the neighborhood's boutiques and book stores we found The Chowder Bowl on a side street. Naturally clam chowder was Ken's choice while I chose fish tacos for lunch. The chowder was the best we've had so far out here. It was excellent and Angie, our waitress, was fun. Now that we're fed and happy we left for Newport Bayfront.
The Bayfront area is home to Oregon's biggest commercial fishing fleet. Sea lions also inhabit the many private docks and public piers. We could hear them barking blocks away.
Walking the boardwalk we learned about Newport's first tourist destination resort, the Ocean House, which was built in 1866. Sam Case, its proprietor, named the Ocean House for a resort in Newport, Rhode Island. It’s no surprise that Case also named Newport for his favorite town in Rhode Island.
Development of a large seafood industry didn’t begin until 1908, when electricity (needed for refrigeration) became available. This industry still thrives today. Yaquina Bay became an attractive shipping port with the construction and dredging of the jetty, complimented by Newport's famous lighthouse.
Newport was once the location of the world’s largest spruce mill which provided spruce for the manufacture of airplanes during World War I. Later the mill provided all of the wood to build Howard hughes’ infamous Spruce Goose.
Our last stop was back in Depoe Bay to visit the world's smallest navigable harbor. Today was quiet, but in the summer this little place really buzzes. Walking along the harbor we found the Kite Shop. We went in and got a beginner kite set up. Now we just need to have the wind calm down a little.
With all of our stops checked off for the day we headed back to camp. We got some great pictures today and saw fantastic scenery.
Pictures: (right to left) Boiler Bay (2), Otter Crest Overlook, Cape Foulweather (2), Yaquina Head Light, Chowder Bowl Lunch, Sea Lions
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