Scenery Around Every Corner

     The weather here on the coast is both varied and steady.  We have beautiful days of sun, then the fog rolls in from the ocean and obscures the beach. Temps stay constant, however, at a cool 60-something degrees, and cool nights in the 50's.  We headed inland for some sightseeing (where there was no fog but much warmer temperatures). We took a driving tour to see the covered bridges around Albany. They are old but well maintained. Created in the same style and still in use, we found families swimming in the river beneath each one of them.

Hoffman Bridge

Inside Hoffman Bridge showing the design and architecture

Shimanek Bridge

     The next week we took a trip to Silver Falls near Salem. This is the largest state park in Oregon. 10 different waterfalls are tucked away on 9,000 acres and 25 miles of hiking trails. We didn't take the Trail of 10 Falls but we did go in at a couple of trailheads and hiked to see the scenery. The trickle of a hidden stream and the sunlight filtering in through the fir trees made for a great, relaxing adventure.

     Misty even got to tag along on this trip. She likes to take the opportunity to go with us in the outdoors and what dog could resist trees of this size?

One of the falls on the Trail of 10 Falls

Misty and I take a break and enjoy the cool waters

     Our next day trip was a short drive south to Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. South of the little town of Yachats (the "c" is silent so it is pronounced "YAH hauts") in the Siuslaw National Forest, it is "Where the Forest Meets the Sea." Some of the most dramatic views of the Oregon coast can be found here. Hiking trails abound and surprises are around every corner. Tidepools, churns, and spouting horns can be found on the beach.

     Here at Devil's Churn, the ocean rushes in and is funneled into a narrow crevice. The deep bass booms of the surf crashing against the rocks can be heard long before you see it.

     Along the shoreline and the beach, the waves splash up, and at times spout up high into the air.  Beyond the visitors center, you can take a hike or driving trail up to the high ground and get a breathtaking vista of the Oregon coastline.

View from the outlook

     We are rapidly nearing the end of our summer stay here in Oregon and still have a few sites we want to visit. Time seems to be slipping away quickly. Guess we're having too much fun!