Pescadero, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
With over 1,200 miles of coastline California, Oregon, and Washington are the perfect follow up to the ochre, russet, and sage green vistas of the Southwest. I love the Southwest for its colors, the arid climate, the desert landscapes and the huge expanse of sky.
But….. give me an ocean!
It’s life force and energy, it’s tidal pools and churning coves, the rocks to climb and the miles upon miles of beaches that stretch out ahead comfort my soul. The shoreline has stories of the past, present and future. There is history in every step and yet so much more to discover. How can one not stare out into the vastness of the open ocean and not realize how big the universe is, how powerful nature is and just how tiny we are.
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The west coast is home to friends and family and our travels along its shores included visits with all. We stopped first in Southern California to visit old friends and colleagues staying for a few days in Palm Springs and then Pasadena. Covid has curtailed travel for so many people and we are thrilled to be able to travel safely in our little POD bubble and catch up with dear friends!
We headed north up the coast passing the oh so familiar wide and sandy beaches of the sun bleached south. Much has changed in SoCal since we lived here, but those beaches and sparkling ocean still sing the songs of dreams. As one approaches Moro Bay the coastline slowly becomes rocky, there are more coves and small bays and the ocean gets wilder.
Pismo Beach, CA
We spent a night at Pismo Beach State Park - which, unfortunately, was not on the beach but we did - at least - get to watch the sun set on the beach before heading back to the campground. Heading inland for a bit we traveled small roads through farmland and cattle
We stopped for a few days to visit friends in Pleasanton, CA. and we did a day trip to a section of the CA coast that neither Tim or I had ever been. Between San Francisco and Santa Cruz, just south of Half Moon Bay, Hwy 1 winds along the coast through glorious farmland offering a multitude of places to stop, picnic, climb the rocks and wander the beaches. I loved seeing the farmland, filled, at this time of year, with tiny yellow wildflowers, which ran all the way down to the edge of the sea.
Tidal pools at Pescadero, CA
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Crop circles?
Seal Rock, OR
Came across this magical artwork one morning! There were no footprints…… just these perfectly drawn circles. You just never know what you will find along the beach - shells, heart shaped rocks, a bit of magic?
With the incoming tide it will be washed away.
None of the coastline in Oregon is privately owned. At some point in the 1930’s the coast itself was declared a “highway” - Oregon Coast Highway No. 9 - and the state became its steward. The state is a wonderful caretaker of this magical coastline.
Heceta Head Lighthouse, OR
We have continued to have terrific weather on the journey. Even as we passed into the wet forests of Northern California and the even wetter forests and coasts of Oregon and Washington the sun kept shining on us! Our mornings in Oregon began with the perfect picture postcard version of fog - just enough to make it interesting.
The marina at Newport Beach, OR
Under the bridge at Newport, OR
Stopping in Newport, OR to visit another old friend. The beaches in Newport are very SoCal like…. Wide and expansive. The tides were extremely low while we were there so we were able to explore the tidal pools under the bridge and there were three pods of sea lions frolicking in the bay! I had never seen sea lions being so playful….. they were acting like dolphins!
Oregon Dunes at South Beach State Park
South Beach, Newport, OR
This area of the Oregon coast actually has a series of dunes! As we walked the beach a kite surfer skimmed across the horizon while dogs ran circles on the sand. We even saw a horse and it’s rider enjoying the gusty winds, brilliant sun and flat expanse.
Boiler Bay, OR
Wow! This spot was wild, windy and oh, so wonderful! The sound of the surf mixed with the wind was almost deafening and there were holes in the volcanic rocks that stretched out into the bay that caught and spouted waves into the air.
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Haystack Rock
Pacific City, CA
Traveling the coastal roads we looked for small breweries (with outdoor seating!) for our lunch stops. Newport Brewing in Newport, OR, Pelican Brewing in Pacific City, OR and North Jetty Brewing, Long Beach, WA. All had interesting beer to sample but Newport had the best fish (lingcod) tacos! And Pelican had the BEST view - sitting on the beach overlooking Haystack Rock!
Before we crossed over the Columbia River into Washington we stopped at the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in Astoria, OR. The park rings the mouth of the Columbia River in both Oregon and Washington. The Chinook and Clatsop Indians have made this area their home for thousands of years. In 1805/06 Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery visited here at the end of their 4,000 mile trek across the Louisiana Territory. The expedition was the idea of President Thomas Jefferson who wanted the team to explore the Missouri River to its source, record the flora and fauna, and to learn the languages of, and befriend the Native Americans. The team accomplished all that and more.
I wonder what changed…….
In our past travels it has always been important for us to engage with people along the way; locals or fellow travelers. Just to strike up a conversation while visiting a park, a historic site or sitting at a bar. We have found it both enlightening and meaningful. On this trip we have tried our best to continue that but, between Covid and the state of our politics, it has become much more difficult and that has been so disappointing.
Pacific City, CA
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