Today we headed north on US-101 from South Jetty RV, over the bridge at the Siuslaw River, through Florence and then settled in for a leisurely cruise up a particularly stunning portion of Oregon’s Pacific coast. The sections of this serpentine byway between Florence and Newport offer shattering coastal views, tortured and twisted trees and shrubs trained by relentless winds, moss and fern-filled grottoes with small waterfalls and dripping edges, Small residences that look like hobbit houses and a few scarce stores are spread out along the roadside. The bluffs overlooking the ocean are impressive. There are many turnouts along the highway so gawkers like us can let working folks pass us before their next birthday.
Based on map observations I would say the Oregon coastline is anything but straight, instead being a serpentine series of lumpy projections into the Pacific. However, folks that name stuff and call out strange landmarks have given some of the really big rock projections into the ocean a designation of “Cape.” The Oregon coast is lousy with capes, with names like Ferrelo, Sabastian, Blanco, Arago, Foulweather and a passel of others. Today we stopped in at Cape Perpetua which is an especially impressive and massive rock formation jutting into the ocean about 10 miles south of the coastal city of Waldport. The highway winds through spruce forests sprinkled with wind-twisted alders, ample flowers in bloom and jaw-dropping views of the coastline. We pulled out almost everywhere. There were fat sea lions far below the road barking out their come-hither pleas to possibly interested females. Bright white lighthouses and associated wood houses contrast vividly with the emerald green vegetation and black, bare rock. The offshore surf looks violent. The rivers entering the ocean are crystal clear.
At Waldport we ran out of time and turned around for our return back down 101 to Florence. The scenery on both sides of US-101 looks just as amazing going south as it did going north. We pulled out at almost all turnouts on the ocean side on our way south. A stop at a local Fred Meyer store for supply re-stocking completed our trip for today. It was a gorgeous drive.
Check out some of the views by clicking here