More Lighthouses

June 21 – We took our time this morning as we had a rather short day planned and not too

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

far to drive further south in the process.  Newport was the first destination.  Yaquina Bay Lighthouse was the first stop.  It had limited hours and was not open and the shutters were closed up.  It is the shortest lighthouse in Oregon.  I guess  it sits high enough on the cliff to do the job.  The beach area below was beautiful but it was windy and there were not many folks on the beach.

Yaquina Head

Yaquina Head Lighthouse is not too far and it sits out on a small peninsular.  It’s surrounded by huge rocks in the water and they are literally covered with birds, they are seabirds, Murre.  There are occasional seagulls but they don’t get along so if you see a seagull the Murre keep their distance.  The lighthouse is picture perfect if you can get in the

Cluster of Murre

right photo spot.  On the way in we passed the interpretive center where we stopped for the bathroom and to see the information on life at the lighthouse. 

Further south is Cape Perpetua where the Heceta Head Light is.  It was a bit dicey getting in.  It was a narrow curvy lane going downhill and overflow and large vehicle parking had to make a sharp left under the bridge where they were working on the road/bridge.  Yikes!  Bill was driving the truck thank goodness, as that’s the only way I could make the turn without hitting the bridge.  I did, however, run over my first orange cone!  Should have taken a photo of it.  I apologized to the STOP sign guy when I walked back that way!

Keeper's House

Bill and I drove over to the car lot but there were no spaces so he told me to just go and he’d park.  I think when we saw the sign that it was ½ mile UPHILL to the light house he decided to stay behind.  I got my 30 minutes of walking in today for sure.  It’s a breathtaking view from there top.  Halfway up is the living quarters for the lighthouse keeper and now it’s a B & B.  The guests are the only ones that get to drive up.  The hired help and volunteers have to walk up

Heceta Lighthouse

like the rest of us!

The top on my way down

The residents sure have/had a great view but I imagine bitter cold wind in the winter.  I trudged the rest of the way up to the lighthouse.  Too bad you can’t get far enough back to get a really good photo.  I chatted with the couple volunteering today and she’s the one who told me they have to walk up every day.  It was faster going back down, of course.  I was pooped by the time I walked ¼ mile further through the first lot, under the bridge and to the RV.  Bill was sitting in his truck, thank goodness there were unread books in the backseat.  He didn’t realize I left the RV keys in the floorboard of the truck. 

Unfortunately I had to go back out the way I came in but they were cleaning up at the end of

View of the bridge we were going
to cross and the parking and beach

their work day so things were opened up a bit and I made the turn and there was no incoming traffic to deal with.  It was on down the road there we saw a Wal-mart and a Fred Meyers where we were stopping to get diesel in Florence.  We were getting pretty low, it took 83 gallons!   Behind the store were the beginnings of the Oregon Dunes.  If there had been a spot there to park we would have gone out on them.  We did turn in the bottles, cans and plastic bottles we (and Bruce and Sharon) had saved.  We got a whopping $6.30. 

Last stop for the day was William Tugman State Park in Lakeside.  We’re here for 2 nights.  The park has 100 spaces.  We have a nice space with no one on one side and a truck camper with 3 tents on the other.  There are 3 adults males and 5 teenagers.  Not sure of the connections but Bill went over to pet the dog.

I was pooped and didn’t journal or download any photos.  I just wanted to chill!  I grilled burgers on George, nuked 2 ears of corn and made a bowl of broccoli salad.  I made sure I turned the heat on before I went to bed as it’s been rather chilly at night.