It was 10:00 by the time we were on our way. Today we are going to check out Cape Arago and the three state parks along that stretch of coastline just south of Charleston (southwest of Coos Bay).
We started our sightseeing by driving to the very end of the highway...and Cape Arago State Park. It was sunny out until we arrived.
(Click to enlarge photos)
The view...
Steve stopped to talk to these folks...they are Birders looking for sea birds blown in from the storm. The offshore rocks are part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. At this point it began to rain...
Big waves crashing in...I can only imagine what it was like yesterday!
Our next stop was at Shore Acres State Park. Lois Simpson, an early timber baron and developer of the city of North Bend (just north of Coos Bay), built his estate on this site. The original mansion is gone, but botanical gardens and a caretakers cottage remain,
This is the observation building...very handy, I'm sure, in stormy weather. Just look at all that blue sky! Well, in that direction at least...
A gorgeous spot with great views...
Steve is absolutely fixated on getting the perfect pictures of the waves :)....
We walked along a trail that took us to another viewpoint...and more waves crashing in on the shoreline...
This is the view from the same viewpoint, but looking the other way (north). This is before the big splash....wait for it...wait for it...
Lots and lots of wave action out there...
Next it was onto Sunset Bay State Park. This is a popular camping and day-use area and the only one, out of the three state parks with camping facilities. Steve walked up to take a picture of Big Creek running into Sunset Bay...
Sunset Bay is a lovely sheltered bay...away from the crashing waves...
On the way to Sunset Bay from Shore Acres, we had passed a viewpoint...we drove back to it for more pictures. It was also a great spot to eat our lunch...
Cape Arago Lighthouse in the distance...
Cape Arago Lighthouse was the newest on the Oregon Coast in terms of service, replaced two earlier structures that succumbed to the effects of weather and erosion. The lighthouse is no longer operated and the site has been returned to the Coquille Indian Tribe. The lighthouse is not open to the public.
After we finished our lunch...and taking pictures...we decided to go into Coos Bay so that I could stock up a bit at Walmart. We drove over a bridge that goes from Charleston to Coos Bay.
This is South Slough...
A rather unique looking house...
After Walmart, we drove to Fred Meyer's to top off with diesel...$3.67/gallon (3 cent discount using the Kroger's card) and then we headed back to the campground. We quickly took the groceries in, put things in the fridge/freezer and then headed right back out again...we hadn't been to the lighthouse or beach here at Bullards Beach State Park.
It really is a lovely campground....
Bandon in the distance...
Coquille River South and North Jetty...
Coquille River North Jetty Constructed 1892-1909
We had a visitor sitting on top of the boat when we got back to the parking lot...
From the lighthouse, we drove back to Bullards Beach parking lot. Steve wanted to try out his new kite, so we took it with us as we climbed over the dune to the beach...
Unfortunately, high tide hasn't left enough beach to fly the kite...there's the danger of sneaker waves coming in...
So back to the truck, we go...
It was going on 4:30 when we got home. We hitched up and then Steve did a little work outside getting ready for our departure tomorrow. He had a visitor...Gobble Gobble!
Our intention was to visit all nine lighthouses on the Oregon coast however with the major detour around Coos Bay it's at least a 3 hour round trip returning northward to the Umpqua Lighthouse so we've decided not to go. We saw the most southern Lighthouse at Cape Blanco State Park when we stayed there two years ago.
We are tired of all the rain and wind here on the coast and have decided to seek out sunshine...which means going east as soon as we can. The forecast after Monday is another week of rain so we are going to have a couple of long travel days so we can get away from the coast. It may be a few days before I'm able to post an update...stay tuned....
The Coos Bay area is one of our favorite destinations, never get tired of seeing pictures of this area!
ReplyDeleteWhen we had our sandrail Diane and I would camp over by North Bend at least one 3 day weekend a month if not more. We have had tons of fun along the coast there.
ReplyDeleteI agree, a person can just have to much rain. Time to move on.
nice tour of Bandon..thanks for sharing all the photos of the waves!! spectacular!
ReplyDeletetime to move on though..I think the two of you deserve some sunshine!