Wednesday, May 30 – We visited Cape Perpetua this morning and highly recommend this area to anyone visiting the Oregon Coast.
It is absolutely beautiful. The Cape encompasses 2,700 acres of coastal habitat, offers 26 miles of hiking trails, and has a visitor's center.
One of the hiking trails.
Captain James Cook discovered Cape Perpetua. Why name it Cape Perpetua you ask? Perhaps because on March 7, the day he first sighted the headland is the holy day of Saint Perpetua – OR - was it because the cape was in "perpetual" sight? No one knows for sure.
Marsha enjoying the view.
You are able to drive to the top of Cape Perpetua Headland which is the highest viewpoint accessible by car on the Oregon Coast – over 800 feet above the rugged coast. It provides views of 70 miles of coastline and 37 miles out to sea. Today was very clear and I believe we could see these distances.
We hiked the Captain Cook Trail to visit the tidepools, Cape Cove Beach, Devil's Churn, Perpetua Overlook, Good Fortune Cove and Spouting Horn. The trail is accessible by car with many pull-outs, but it is an easy hike and we enjoyed the exercise. It's exciting to walk down on the rocks where the waves are breaking and throwing spray in the air. The tide was coming in so we were able to see some pretty exciting sights.
Devil's Churn.
Good Fortune Cove
Spouting Horn...it wasn't high tide yet, so no spouting could be seen.
We stopped at the Heceta Head Lighthouse about 12 miles north of Florence, OR. It sits 205 feet above the ocean and rises 56 feet above the ground. The automated beacon can be seen 21 miles out to sea and is rated as the strongest light on the Oregon Coast. Unfortunately, the entire lighthouse was encased in scaffolding and tarps and is closed for 1-2 years for extensive renovations. We were hoping to visit the lighthouse at night but that won't be possible – at least not on this trip.
Courtesy of the Internet…this is what it looks like.
There is a beautiful stream flowing into the ocean at Heceta Head Lighthouse that is interesting to see. Boy was that water cold! Also, the historic assistant light keeper's house sits on the hill and offers bed and breakfast rentals for group events.
Where the stream enters the ocean.
We found some interesting items while walking along the beach.
Just another day, sitting and posing for my photo.
While sitting outside this afternoon, Marsha was looking up at the sun. She couldn't figure out why the sun had a circle around it and rainbow colors.. She then took a photo and went to do her research. Here is what she found out…
These phenomena form when sunlight passes through ice crystals in the atmosphere, and refracts to split up the colors, or when light bounces off the ice crystals and is reflected. If you would like to read more about this "Halo", click here.
Pretty cool photo.
After a great day, what better way to cap it off, but with a wonderful fire.
A bit more about Oregon…
All Oregon gas stations are REQUIRED to pump their gas for you.
Oregon offers an example of every geographic terrain on the planet within its borders.
At 1,943 feet, Crater Lake in Southern Oregon is the deepest lake in the US.
If you would like to see more photos of Cape Perpetua, please click here.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!
Years ago we were parked in the parking lot off 101 at Cape Perpetua to visit the same things you did. When we came back to the car about an hour later, birds had completely bombarded our car with blackberry poop. Huges dollops of the crap!!!
ReplyDeleteYou guys keep finding some of our favorite places...it's like you just know all the good spots! But, we know from experience that there is plenty of good stuff in Oregon to go around. Glad you're enjoying some of the best! Thanks for the photos from the Cape. We haven't hiked that trail for many years. Sure nice to see that view, isn't it? The spouting horn it great when there's a storm, but don't get down on those rocks then!! We didn't realize the lighthouse was all covered up...just goes to show you that we don't really keep in close touch with everything like we should, huh? Those ice crystals can just stay up there, as far as we're concerned. The sun looks good, and we certainly enjoy it better than the ice. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMore great photos of some stunning Oregon Coast scenery. It's sort of a dejavu feeling reading your blog these days as we've visited Cape Perpetua and the Devil's Churn as well.
ReplyDeleteIt's terrific to see it all again though as it brings back great memories. I find myself going back to re-read my old blogs after reading each of your posts.
What a beautiful place you found. It's so green and lush. How was the weather? It looks to be about right.
ReplyDeleteLove the lavender starfish too.
So happy that you are a year ahead of us. You are our travel agents and don't even charge! woo hoo!
ReplyDeleteI wanna go back to Oregon!!! But not if it's cold enough for a campfire.
ReplyDeleteI wanna go back to Oregon!!! But not if it's cold enough for a campfire.
ReplyDeleteScenery like that would keep me at Cape Perpetua perpetually ... OK, maybe not that long, but for a good while for sure.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. Keep exposing Russ's secret places, he doesn't need to keep them all to himself. Enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteWe love the Oregon and usually spend several weeks each summer there. However, too much going on this year to plan that so you're doing it for us. Enjoy and see you soon!
ReplyDeleteThere is one other state where it is illegal to pump your own gas - my home state of New Jersey. I hate to admit but I was in my 40's before I ever pumped gas. Bet I've done it less than 5 times my whole life. Another reason to keep Leonard.
ReplyDeleteThe Cape area looks beautiful-love your pix.
ReplyDeleteOregon is so beautiful! We can't wait to go back and stay longer! Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
ReplyDeleteI love looking at Oregon through someone else's eyes. The beauty that is everywhere in Oregon is something that I hope everyone gets to experience at some time. Thanks for all your wonderful pictures and commentary about our wonderful state.
ReplyDeleteNew follower! I just love reading about everyone's adventures in Oregon. I feel like I'm home when I'm on the coast. My husband was stationed out on Mt. Hebo near Tillamook many years ago. As soon as we got the opportunity, we headed west in our Motorhome to see Hebo and the coast, again, and discovered a lot more. We went back every year until he passed away, and I went back once. We've been all over the state, and it's so wonderful. I was stunned by the beauty of Crater Lake, and I can never get enough of the Columbia River. If I could do my life over, again, I'd live in Astoria. :)
ReplyDeletePS: I tried to look at more photos of Cape Perpetua and got this message: "Sorry, the page you were looking for in this blog does not exist."
ReplyDeleteI thought you might want to know.