While visiting Oregon last week Dave and I spent most of our time outside, enjoying the cooler temperatures. Andy made sure we got out and saw as many of the local sites we could cram into our time out there without becoming too wiped out. Here is a sampling of some of the things we experienced on the left side of the country.
Our first outing was to OSU’s Peavy Arboretum where we hiked a three and a half mile trail through the McDonald-Dunn Forrest. The trail was bordered by both cultivated and old growth trees, many which seemed to shoot straight to the sky. But the ground was uneven so it was really important to keep my eyes focused on the trail and that’s where I saw some really amazing things!
There were bugs and berries and even the occasional wild flower like the little Iris pictured above. But the most impressive creature I saw was this giant Banana Slug I spied munching on a leaf. Slugs have never been one of my favorite creatures, but this one certainly gained my awe and respect.
One warm sunny morning we headed west on US Route 20 towards Newport Beach. These past six years living in Central Virginia have been the longest period in our married life when we’ve lived more than an hour’s drive to any ocean and we were ready for a fix. What we found as we crossed Oregon’s Coastal Range was that the beach experience for the Pacific Northwest is vastly different from that in Virginia or Hawaii. In fact, it was much more similar to Newport, RI where I never seemed to shake off a chill, even in the middle of the summer. Instead of sunny skies and warm sands, we discovered air chilled by the cold Pacific water along with fog and mist. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced such a high amount of humidity when it wasn’t raining. In fact, it was so humid that my normally straight hair actually began to curl!
After making our damp pilgrimage to the shoreline, we hiked up to the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse which sits high atop a bluff. Built in 1871, it is considered the oldest building in Newport. When in operation from 1871 to 1874 it was home to the light keeper and his large family. It has been beautifully restored and furnished, providing a glimpse into what life would have been like in a time when its location would have been remote.
Despite the gloomy weather in Newport, we did find one familiar sight at the marina that connected us to almost all of our other ocean front experiences; a Wyland mural on the wall of the Depoe Bay Fish Company. Seeing this beautiful painting more than made up for the weather!
Having been through the forest and to the shore, it was only natural that we check out what was between the two, the Coastal Range. So, we took a trip up a long winding mountain road to hike up to Mary’s Peak in the Siuslaw National Forest.
Reaching over 4,000 feet in altitude, the view from atop this highest point in the Coastal Range was breathtaking, when the clouds and mist cooperated.
There was so much to see as we walked the paved trail up the hillside. The rocky banks were covered with orange and purple wild flowers in such an orderly fashion that it looked almost as if they were the remains of an abandoned rock garden. We spied a couple chipmunks scurrying between the rocks and there were enough songbirds filling the air with their sweet melodies to assure us that this was a very healthy ecosystem.
All in all, I truly enjoyed having the opportunity to get outside and explore the natural beauty of the Willamette Valley and Oregon coast. This time of year in Virginia I seem to be stuck indoors, looking out my office window. More times than not, even the most beautiful appearing day is hot and muggy and not at all pleasant for outdoor adventures.
I’ve hyperlinked most of the places we visited while on our trip so if you’d like more information on any of them, all you have to do is click.