Last updated: 29 Apr 26 01:26:49 (UTC)
To Oregon We Went! - Week 2
4/14/2025
Things I realized, a week into the trip:
I was fascinated with spotting Jason on the trail (by intention or accident) and photographing his hike in order to preserve the memories in those steps.
THIS time on the coast, I could slow down and spend hours at any given location. I spent time at Indian Beach capturing infinite rolling waves, followed creeks to the bluffs looking for falls, and stopped at all the vistas. Populated spots like Cannon Beach, were not calling me.
(Overlooking Neahkahnie & Manzanita Beaches)
4/15/2025
During many coastal drives, I’d stop at Hug Point, wander down to the beach, gaze at the ocean, and drive away. If I was with someone important, it was mandatory to hug on the beach.
Until this day, I had NO idea that during low tide, I could take a few extra steps around the cliff, walk up to a waterfall, explore an ocean cave, and see a piece of coastal travel history. Pure magic!
wandascafe.com was a delicious Nehalem brunch and Three Graces decorated the best view of Tillamook bay for a few days.
4/16/2025
We had grown fond of the White Crowned Sparrow’s daily call. On this day, I caught one perched just beside me. I finally captured what is likely our trip mascot.
I then experienced one of the most challenging hikes up to that point in life, the Elk Flats Trail. Steep climbing over tree roots followed by a sharp slope down a creek canyon of fragile earth. Every step felt llike a test of fate.
All became worth it when reaching Short Sand Beach and seeing Blumenthal Falls in the distance.
4/17/2025
Perspective (in reference to the post from 4/13/2025)
As I rounded Netarts Bay, I entered the quaint beach town of Oceanside and walked onto the beach and through what I’ll call the magic beach portal.
As I exited, the “kissing brontosaurs” morphed into three distinct arched rocks, and they seemed close enough to swim to! However, the surf on Tunnel Beach is as dangerous as it is captivating.
I continued to Cape Meares, where I got a third angle of Storm, Finley and Shag from a trail that seemed to disappear into the ocean.
4/18/2025
I spent the morning walking the length of Manzanita and Neahkanie Beach, taking in every detail. Waves gently rolled in with the tide and swallowed the beach leaving only tips of rocks poking up.
I met a woman who gifted me a perfect sand dollar.
Around the other end of Nehalem bay, I discovered what I coined, a “driftwood graveyard”. Just vast endless piles of downed wood that traveled so far down river.
Capped the day with delicious crabrockpizza.com & gorgeous sunset.
4/19/2025
I had to leave Oregon this day for a brief return to California. I’ve driven north/south through Oregon frequently, but not many times east/west.
This was a great experience to drive through Siuslaw Forest following Little Nestucca River.
It was the perfect season to see farmlands rich in so many shades of green.
It’s always nice to be greeted by Shasta when arriving home through the north. Highway 5 provides multiple angles which change the details. I was also lucky to catch evening alpenglow.