I made a stop in Newport, Oregon to see the Yaquina Head Lighthouse.
I wasn't able to actually tour the lighthouse but I did get to see the surrounding area which was cool.
I walked down from the headland to the beach which was COVERED with little black stones. There was a volunteer working who explained that the beach was protected so you couldn't take any stones home with you but you could take the driftwood.
I took neither. I was there for the views not the goods.
I was lucky enough to have a nice lady take my picture with the lighthouse.
When you are by yourself you have a couple options for getting yourself in a shot:
- Set your camera with timer on a rock or the ground and hope it doesn't get wrecked by a passerby or fall off the rock while you run back to your spot.
- Cart around an awkward tripod and set it up which isn't exactly fun.
- Ask a stranger to do it for you and hope it turns out.
- Try doing a selfie by flipping your camera around, stretching your arms out like gumby and hoping your head isn't at a weird angle.
Black smooth stones and driftwood on this beach.
I had never been on a rocky beach like this until I came to the Pacific Northwest. I'm so used to southern beaches where it's smooth sand not large rough stones.
It was definitely an eye opener.
The tide was coming in slowly so I had to make my way back to the stairs. Right here it looks like I have plenty of time but the ocean was much closer to the stairs than this piece of the beach. So I had to beat it back.
A couple of black and whites because I like to think it shows the texture and activity better than color.
After being on the beach I wanted to walk to the top of the hill and look out over the coast.
This is looking out towards the south as you walked up to the top.
There was a small path that zig-zagged it's way up the hill through grass and brush.
I like the juxtaposition of the rough rocks with the green smooth grass with the delicateness of the flowers.
At the top! Here's a selfie of me looking out towards the ocean.
It was super windy up there. My hair was blowing all over the place.
This is a look at the Northern coast making my way back down.
Yaquina was neat. I'd stop here again.
At the lighthouse were volunteers looking toward the ocean trying to spot the gray whale migration. I stood there talking to a very knowledgeable lady who showed me what to look for (a spout of water kind of like a miniature geyser) and told me all about the whales.
The male gray whales start the migration first. The females stay with their young down in Baja California. They need to build up the strength of the babies so they can make the journey up to Alaska.
Apparently there is this cover down in Baja that has a strong-moving current. The mama whale while push her young into this cove with current which increases their strength and stamina for the trip up north.
When they are ready, the mama and babies work their way north.
I never knew that and was greatful I learned so much and got to see some whales migrating.
Thank you for reading this blog post. I hope you'll come again.
Jen
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