A Trip down the Coast from Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

This our last day staying in Newport, we take a car trip down to Florence, our favorite coastal city. This is an especially scenic portion of the coast, including Cape Perpetua, the Heceta Head Light House, and the historic part of Florence.

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

Our first stop is at Cape Perpetua, where several years ago we met friends Mark & Debbie Ford, who volunteer for the U.S. Park Service each year. We met them at the visitor center here at Cape Perpetua and they were so helpful and friendly, that we meet up once each year. They are full time RVers, so we have fun seeing where they go each year. Cape Perpetua brings back fond memories.

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

The photos above are part of what you see walking down the trail. Awesome scenery, even on a very hazy day.

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

It is exceptionally windy this week, and with much sand and dust in the air, taking distant photography is challenging at best.

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

Our next stop is the most famous light house on the Oregon Coast, Heceta Head. There are always people here, and not wishing to fight all the traffic, we opt for a distant photo, but with only one utility lens on the new Digital SLR, it isn't a great shot. The house next to the lighthouse was the keepers house, now turned into a B&B.

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

Next stop is Florence. Here are some photos of the historic part which lies on the banks of the Siuslaw River.

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

First things first, however. Lunch is on our mind, and the Bridgewater does the job well. Located in a charming old building, the food is good & the interior interesting.

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

Next we walk across the street to the town park and view the Siuslaw River and famous Florence Bridge, currently under repair.

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

Now we walk towards the city marina, book a place at the RV park for next year and start our drive back; but after a stop for some ice cream.

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

The coast line south and including Florence is famous for the sand dunes. We stop and take another look.

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

A few miles up the road is the Darlingtonia Wayside, a beautiful display of these carnivorous and un-photogenic flowers! The wayside, however, is fun and beautiful.

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

Back closer to the Cape Perpetua area, we come to the camping facility at Cape Perpetua, featuring Giant Spruce. This facility is way too small for a coach the size of Popeye, but is fun to walk through.

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

And finally, we return to Newport. Tomorrow we leave for McMinnville and look forward to July 4th.

From Oregon Coast - Newport to Florence

For further information: Cape Perpetua

For further information: Heceta Head Lighthouse

Enjoying Company

From Northern OR Coast & company!

It's always a treat to find friends along the way. This time we are especially pleased when Kim Fichera flew his Cirrus over 1,000 miles to come and visit with us for two days.

From Northern OR Coast & company!

Here's Kim coming in for a landing at the Newport Airport, a really nice facility and only about 3 miles from the famous Newport Bridge where we were parked.

From Northern OR Coast & company!

Bob took this picture of the bridge when he took Kim for a ride up the coast in our little Honda. Since it's only a two-seater, I stayed behind so Kim could enjoy the sights which I've seen many times. Here are some photos of what Bob & Kim saw that day.

From Northern OR Coast & company!

From Northern OR Coast & company!

The photo of the bridge above is of Beverly State Park, one we have stayed at before. There aren't too many spaces that Popeye will fit into, but we like it because you can walk under this bridge right onto the beach.

From Northern OR Coast & company!

From Northern OR Coast & company!

The above photos are of the beautiful Northern Oregon coastline, always spectacular, even on hazy days such as today.

From Northern OR Coast & company!

From Northern OR Coast & company!

Our visit ends all too soon, and now it's time for Kim to make the flight home. Between visits to the Rogue Brewery a couple of times, and the ride up the coast, our two days were complete.

From Northern OR Coast & company!

Here's a picture of the glass cockpit in Kim's plane. The flight home took just 5 hours and 13 minutes, nonstop.

From Northern OR Coast & company!

Kim starts the engine after fueling, and is almost ready for takeoff!

From Northern OR Coast & company!

There he goes! What a thrill and thanks, Kim, for taking your time for a visit. Not too many people will do that and we appreciate the time and effort you made.

The Marina, Newport OR

From Newport OR

Here is the famous Yaquina Bay bridge in Newport, OR taken with our little point & shoot Canon Powershot, which isn't worthy of the magnificence of the bridge. Be sure to use the link at the end of this post for some truly worthy pictures by photographer Jones Oliver.

From Newport OR

This is the entrance to the Marina RV Park, just east of the bridge and adjacent to Yaquina Bay, along with a closer shot.

From Newport OR

Wouldn't you know we'd arrive at the height of the Coho Salmon fishing season, but at least are able to find a home for 5 nights. As you can see, we have plenty of room, but just enough length to fit in.

From Newport OR

The first thing we head for is the Rogue Ales Public House, which is an award winning brewery with really good clam chowder. This picture of me is taken as we leave, with a bottle of Mocha Porter "to go."

From Newport OR

Since we have a window table, we take this photo through the window at the view beneath us; pretty nice, don't you think?

From Newport OR

On Friday afternoon, we drive up to the casino in Lincoln City for lunch, then make the long slow drive on the coastal route over the "Capes route" and enjoy the villages of Neskowin, Nestucca Bay, Cape Kiwanda, Cape Lookout, Netarts, Cape Meares and ending at Tillamook Bay (think of Tillamook cheese) where cows out number people.

Wouldn't you know it was a very hazy day, poor for photography, and to top it off, since Bob said we were only going for lunch, we fail to take our cameras. There is one possibility of an iPhone shot, that if it turns out when I download it, will be included. If not, well, perhaps you'll enjoy the following photos taken on a previous visit:

From Newport OR

From Newport OR

From Newport OR

From Newport OR

On Saturday we have a really nice surprise. After shopping for goodies at the Saturday Market in downtown Newport, we receive a call from friend Kim Fichera who will fly up in the late afternoon to join us for a couple of days. Bob & I are thrilled as we have someone else to talk to! As I write this, Bob and Kim are out in the Honda with Bob showing him the sights. With the historic waterfront, and two light houses, there is much to see and do here. He took the camera with him, so these photos will be posted soon.

And for some really professional photos of the famous bridge, be sure to check out
photographer Jones Oliver
And for further information on Newport: the City of Newport