Oregon Light House & Sea Lions

  Florence, Oregon, United States
Saturday, July 19, 2008

The drive North from Brookings to Florence was gorgeous, and surprising. We saw the Oregon Dunes. This is an area of the Southwest Oregon coastline that has sand dunes as tall as 500', goes some 2.5 miles inland, has trees, rivers, and lakes where the sand has damed up the river. The coastline is beautiful and again the sunlight is enhancing its beauty.

More roadside views

Some fog, some sun

Rocks, water and sun - Yea Oregon

The Oregon Dunes

We had no idea about Florence, and we were pleasantly surprised to find that it is a pretty town with an old town nestled in a harbor. We found the RV park, and hooray - it has wireless that works. During the drive up Pat had noted on our Atlas that there was a lighthouse just North of Florence. There had been two others along the way, but we had been unable to see them from the road - and well we are towing 34' so we can't just go down any road - and Pat really wanted to see one. There was also supposed to be a spot to see Sea Lions in a cave. So, we got the trailer hooked to shore power and off we went to see the sights.

Just North of Florence the hwy became narrower and the curves sharper. I was glad we would be leaving 101 to go East towards Eugene in the morning. For once I'm looking forward to driving on an interstate for a while. The Sea Lion place came up and we parked the Excursion, and I was hoping it wasn't a tourist trap. We paid and then went outside to an overlook and there they were.

Sea Lions

100's of em just hanging out on a rock. We would have one as a pet if Pat could figure out how, and is she could convince me that it could travel with us.

Lots of Sea Lions

A whole *load of Sea LIons

We then took an elevator 200' down into a cavernous area where the sea lions could relax out of the sun. Wow, tons more of em, all over the place. We were in an upper viewing area caged off from them. I often wonder who is viewing who in a situation like this. [To see pics of the sea lions in the cave you must wait for Pat's blog, mine didn't come out.]

Then we went about a mile up the road and there was the lighthouse. It's just like you see on postcards! Wow, I'm really glad we made this side trip. We had to walk up the side of a cliff, 1/2 mile up, but it was worth it.

Path up to the lighthouse

Path view

Gosh how pretty, and sunshine to boot!

View from lighthouse

Look at that coast

Way better than foggy, cloudy California.

Yet more coast

I'm also aware that July is Oregon's designated sunny month. We got to the top and took some pics, and then walked over to a gift shop.

Lighthouse view

There's the lighthouse

Another view of lighthouse

The path going down

We picked a cute art-deco poster to buy, but couldn't find one. The sales girl came over and told us the two on display were the last ones, but we could have one of them if we wanted - we did. She had the hardest time dismantling the display. but we've got it.

On the way back to Florence we stopped to take pictures of the Dunes.

Oregon Dunes

Oregon Dunes again

Florence marina and old town

Just Florence marina

Very unique, and not advertised very much, if any. We drove into the old town area and walked around just looking. There was a fish place right on the wharf, and we decided to eat. I had the battered prawns, and they were actually pretty tasty.

This was the last stop of the ocean leg of our trip. We now start heading Northwest towards the Rockies, and the most Northern part of the trip Glacier Lake National Park on the Montana-Canada border. This part was just as beautiful as I had hoped it would be, and My Precious has really enjoyed it as well. Costs are about where I had estimated, especially now that fuel costs are again less than $5.00 per gallon. We have found the people to be very friendly, and accomodated the trailer with reason on the road. No problems with the trailer, so far, and just a new fuel pump for the Excursion. Some good luck, more in good preparation, but regardless I'm thankful.