Canon Beach, OR

August 28,
After complaining that the scenic route was showing us nothing but trees, we were on the coast near Canon Beach and for once the road provided plenty of turn outs to see the spectacular views. Canon beach has many sea stacks. They look like boulders but were originally part of the land, erosion over millions of years has separated them. The wind is strong and steady enough to shape and stunt the trees.
Joe spotted Tillamook Lighthouse, definately one of the m ost isolated ones we have seen.

South Bend, Wa

August 26,
We drove through South Bend on the way home. The roadside is dotted with metal sculptures, starting with animals-deer, cougars and birds to people-the wood cutters, men and women engaged in everyday activities and scenes- the man in the wagon. There were also murals--the lumber train.

Westport, Wa

August 26,
We headed north on 101 to Westport and found the Gray's Harbor Light. Unfortunately it was the highlight of a long ride. We had thought that Westport would have more to offer-can't win them all. We found murals and marinas but nothing very exciting. On our way home we found Washaway Beach. Old 101 and a very large beach area have been eroded by the waves. The driftwood that has piled up is amazing. Much of the area is now bordered by a rip rap breakwater. The last picture is the far end of Washaway Beach.

Cape Disappointment

August 25,
We finally found that you could see Cape Disappointment Light from a beach rather than walking two and a half miles and get better pictures. The fog, here too, was coming in and out. It's a beautiful light on a beautiful point. The beach beside the breakwater was full of people making shelters out of driftwood. We headed back toward Ilwaco and saw the harbor full of boats.

North Head Light

August 25,
The top picture is of one of the keeper's house at North Head Light. This and another house are rented out during the summer. I walked out a short but cold and foggy path to the light. The fog was so thick that under the trees, it had condensed and it was raining. I saw the bee on the thistle on the way out along with the trees that have been formed by the constant wind coming off the ocean. The light and it's little houses were wrapped in fog as I think they are most of the year. The wind was very strong and it is said to be the third windiest spot in the country.

Oysterville

August 24,
We took a ride to the end of the Long Beach Peninsula and found that the town of Oysterville was the prettiest part of the area. There is a small historic district that includes the Sea Farms-top picture, the church, the old school and some very pretty houses. The views out to the Willapa Bay were very pretty and as we went back to the south, we saw the old cannery and some more oyster processing plants.

Andersen's on the Ocean

August 23-27
We spent five days in Long Beach, Wa. at Andersen's on the Ocean. Literally, we walked a dune path and we were at the beach. Lily and L.D. thought this was just the greatest, as they will always be beach dogs. We took a few nice walks on the beach when it wasn't too cold---morning was best!!. We tried to get as excited as others about the sunsets but.................the Keys!

Portland to Long Beach

August 23,
We left the Portland area and crossed the Columbia River-with a nice view of Mt. Hood. We recrossed the Columbia and followed Rt. 30 through Oregon to Astoria where we crossed the Columbia again on the Astoria bridge.
We passed some huge lumber operations and what had to be good fishing .

Mt. Hood

August 20,
We stopped at the Bonneville Dam visitors center and watched the steelhead and salmon on the dam's fish ladder. They've got some big fish out here.
We crossed the Columbia back into Oregon, looking down at the windsurfers and kite boarders. This area is very popular with them. We're still thinking COLD water????
We drove around Mt. Hood, getting to see it from many angles but there wasn't much else to see .

Columbia River Scenic Highway

August 20,

Much to our surprise, when we tried to make reservations anywhere on the coast-Wahington or upper Oregon-everything was full!!!! So we ended up just outside Portland, Oregon for a few days. This worked out well for a couple of reasons, we took a pretty ride along the Columbia River and around Mt. Hood and we got to visit with Harry and Pinkie and their grandson Henry. The next time we'll see Harry and Pinkie we'll be somewhere in Florida---hopefully the Keys.
Our ride followed the Historic Columbia River Highway. It was built in the early 1900s, when the nation was discovering tourism. The top view of the gorge is from the Portland Women's Forum State Park. There was a group of artists, complete with easels and oils, capturing the view on canvas.
The Vista house was built as a stopping point on the old highway. It has been beautifully restored and has another beautiful view of the gorge. The man with the bike was dressed as tourist would be when this was built. He enjoyed answering questions and told us that the replacement stained glass was made by the company that made the original.
We saw many waterfalls along the rest of the Oregon side of the Highway.

Mt. St. Helens

August 17,
Before going to the southern Washington coast, we went to Castle Rock to see Mt. St. Helens. The 50 mile ride takes you to the Johnston Observatory. From there you have the best view into the crater. The only way to see more is by helicopter.
Mt. St. Helens looked like all the other Cascades mountains until 30 years ago. In May of 1980 an earthquake caused a massive eruption, blowing away the top 1300 feet of the mountain. The blast zone encompassed 150 square miles, killing 57 and destoying vegetation and wildlife. The bottom picture shows a house, one week from completion, that was filled with mud. It is 25 miles from the mountain.
The top picture shows Mt. St. Helens as it is today with river of ash still there. Little grows in the thick ash but elsewhere flowers and trees have returned, naturally or planted. The whole ride was very green with new growth on healthy trees.
The second picture shows Spirit Lake-middle right. It was created by dams made of debris from the volcano, as was Coldwater Lake.
The third picture shows the crater from Johnston Observatory. You can see that even the mountain is rebuilding itself. There are two domes inside the crater that are forming from lava coming to the surface and hardening.