We found a parking spot on a side street and walked down to SW Bay Blvd to begin our sightseeing. Many of the buildings have murals painted on them...very cool!
M and P Thai Restaurant across the street there was highly recommended. We were going to go there for lunch a little later but ended up changing our minds, deciding on Mo's instead.
There are two "Mo's" restaurants...this is Mo's Annex, a smaller version on the waterfront. We ran into Bernie and Marsha who happened to be heading there for a bowl of clam chowder.
Check out the sign above the door..."Home of the Winos, Dingbats and Riff Raff"...too funny!
The Undersea Gardens used to be in Victoria. (Our home town) I checked on-line but could find nothing about it being moved down to Newport when it closed last year after 50 years of service in the Victoria area. However, I did find out that Mariner Square...that houses the Undersea Gardens, Ripley's Believe It or Not and The Wax Works...is owned and operated by the Oak Bay Marine Group, based in Victoria, BC, Canada. OBMG owns a number of resorts, marinas and attractions in Canada, the US and the Bahamas.The Wax Works, an Arcade, and Ripleys Believe It or Not...
We wandered up and down both sides of the street...lots of shops carrying the usual touristy stuff, cafes, coffee shops and restaurants. Then it was time for lunch.
As I mentioned earlier, we had planned on the Thai restaurant as Cherie and Chris had recommended it to Bernie and Marsha and they liked it but when we checked out Mo's menu, we changed our minds. We had never heard of "Mo's" but have seen a few as we travelled down the coast and have had friends comment about it...everyone seems to "love Mo's", so we decided to give it a try. We weren't disappointed!
Steve had Seafood Cioppino..."Yaquina Bay Oysters, Pink Shrimp, Wild Alaskan Salmon, Alaskan Cod (here we are on the Oregon coast and they use "Alaskan" salmon and cod??), Steamer Clams and Crab Legs simmered in an Italian sauce topped with parmesan cheese and served with garlic cheese bread...yum!I had Halibut and Chips (served with a cup of clam chowder)...it was really good but I wish I had been a little more adventurous!
After lunch we walked up to the Rogue Brewery (another "must do" spot) where we thought we would have a beer...unfortunately, there was a line-up to get in so we passed...
Next on the agenda was Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is run by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)...after paying our $7 entrance fee at the gate, we drove to the Interpretive Center.
After wandering around the displays, we watched a short film and then decided to walk (rather than drive) down to the lighthouse. We left the center and walked through this tunnel that goes under the road...oh my...what a face I'm making! Do we have to stop for another picture? LOL!
This is a side road that goes down to a viewpoint...we didn't go down there...
Steve can't get enough of the waves crashing against the rocks...
This is the second picture where Steve has captured a Coast Guard helicopter flying over a lighthouse...I believe the first one was at Cape Meares...The walkway that goes down to the beach and tidal pools...
Apparently, the lighthouse is normally open but a 'Historic Lighthouse Preservation Project' is currently underway which involves scaffolding and re-painting the outside of the lighthouse, so it was closed. The project is expected to conclude in late December 2014.
Notice the arch in the cliff on the right...
There's a trail that zig zags up the hill...
The rocks are covered with seals...
Our next stop was at Agate Beach State Recreation Site...
Yaquina Head Lighthouse in the distance...
Back in the truck, we followed the oceanfront drive...this is looking towards Yaquina Head Lighthouse from Donald A Davis Park...
Our final stop for the day was at Yaqunia Bay Lighthouse. We parked the truck at one of the parking lots as we entered Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site and took a trail that ended up at the back entrance to the lighthouse. Yaquina Bay Lighthouse was active for only 3 years 1871-1874 and replaced by the brighter Yaquina Head Lighthouse...
The ladder to the light is covered...
The view from the top floor...Looking towards the South and North Jettys. South Beach State Park where we are camped starts at the South Jetty
The shutters are now closed on the windows. They locked the gate behind us...
The blue sky and sunshine is unexpected but welcomed late this afternoon!
It was about 4:30 when we got home...another full day of exploring this beautiful area. We enjoyed a cocktail outside taking in the last of the afternoon sun...and then headed inside.
nice day exploring the Yaquina Lighthouses!..looks like it is a tad windy! :)
ReplyDeleteYes! It was a very blustery day! At least it broke the clouds up later in the afternoon.
DeleteWe have been to 4 Mo's. The one in Florence USED to be the best. Not so anymore. When in Florence go to the ICM next door to Mo's. It's yummy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation, Toni!
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