THE Trip, THE Encore' :: Coos Bay to Lincoln City Oregon :: There Be Bridges, Sea Mist, And Some High Surf

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

June 8, 2013.  A LONG time ago, we are NOT in Oregon today.

On June 8, 2013 we left Coos Bay and headed north of Lincoln City.  It was a trip filled with sea mist, bridges, coast line, and some great (as in large) wave action.  You know it was a great travel day when you have almost 50 photos.

There was even one bridge that appeared to be a pedestrian bridge.

I am sorry, I don't have the names for these bridges.

Yes, I did, I took photos of the bridges as we passed under them.  Love the designs.

Somehow I managed to sorta capture this water fall.  I know, it is not in focus, but, I had not been seeing a lot of water falls,  I was excited, and we were going fast enough at such close quarters that the photo is blurred.  But, see, it IS a water fall.

This is Heceta Head Lighthouse.  My friends had all been telling me about it.  I believe there was a bit of a challenge to see if I could get a photo while rolling.  There was no way we could pull off the side of the road while toting Tana along.  There was a bit of sea mist, but, ta da, I did capture something.  Yes, we will revisit this light house in the next few days.  Without Tana in tow.  You know what they say, stay tuned.

Waves, sea mist, hills, plants that are true green, even if they are a bit wind blown in structure.  Lovely.

Yes, another bridge.  When I looked I realized there was just a weeeee bit of sea mist rolling over the tree tops on that hill.

And, more rolling surf and sea mist, and ohhh, lookie there, a sea gull.

And, another bridge, this one had a band-aid on it.  

One last bridge, with great columns.

And, more shore line, rolling surf and sea mist.  It was a pretty ride.  Sony Too and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The drive was 125 miles of stunning scenery.  We would spend a few days driving around, stopping with Jolly at as many pulloffs as we could find.

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THE Trip, THE Encore' :: Shore Acres Gardens, near Coos Bay Oregon

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

June 7, 2013, many many months ago.  No, we are NOT in Oregon today.

After our stop to view the elephant seals, we spent some time at Shore Acres Gardens, and Sony Too and I had a very good time of it!  Built by timber baron Louis Simpson in the early 1900s.  Currently there are 5 acres, planted in a formal English style, it was originally designed by David Masterton.

So many photos to choose from, these made the cut, because I liked them.  Very little editing required.

Signage states this garden house is the only structure of historical significance left from the Simpson era.

Part of the Japanese Lily Pond.  Statuary, not live.  

And, I noticed reflections, so, I cropped:

Next, the shore line, just you wait!  Stunning does not describe.  Really!

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THE Trip, THE Encore' :: South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Near Coos Bay Oregon

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Still working on June 5, 2013.  Read that year.   2013.   We are not in Oregon today!  Please note, this post is a bit graphics heavy.

After our lunch we decided to investigate the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.  

There was a very nice visitor center/interpretive center to get you started.  Then, came the walk/hike.  Downhill, a long way downhill.  Then, by golly, we had to come uphill.

For a while the path was nicely and deeply covered in fresh wood chips.

Then came dirt:

I was enthralled with this large plant, which I think is the skunk cabbage.    Enthralled by the size, as it was huge - - see photos below.  If this indeed is the skunk cabbage, I am thankful that we did not visit while it was in bloom.  Just saying - - 

Down hill we continue.  A few very sharp turns are involved.

Just what IS around that corner Man??  More downhill, more curves.

As we came closer to wet lands, we walked a board walk.

There they are again, large, those skunk cabbage:

More along both sides of the boardwalk.  See how large they are??  I hear the Jurassic Park theme playing in my head.

We break out into the open marsh lands:

A viewing stand:

At the end of the boardwalk, from the viewing stand, the estuary:

Not far from here, on our way back to Jolly, I found these red ?fungi?.  

And, a snail, strolling along the path:

We really enjoyed the South Slough.  It was quite the hike, good exercise.  The day ended with a drive and a short stop at Bandon, a quirky fun place.




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THE Trip, THE Encore' :: Lunch In The Fog, Or, Was That Sea Mist?

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

This story is from June 5, 2013, well over a year ago (noting we are NOT in Oregon today).

After our visit to the Charleston Harbor area we headed out to three Oregon State Parks:   Sunset Bay State Park, Shore Acres State Park and Cape Arago State Park.  The three are strung out like so many jewels, one bordering the next.  We drove and visited all three while we were in Coos Bay area.

First it was time for lunch, it was a bit chilly, and damp, but, we braved the temps to have our lunch sitting next to Sunset Bay.

The conditions were not the best, but the views were still terrific:

After lunch we drove to Simpson Reef Overlook.  Look what the winds do to the shrubs.  We could hear the cries of the elephant seals, but could not see them.

From there we drove on to Cape Arago:

The all important and necessary panoramic:

There was a stone wall here, and the smallest of plants were growing in the cracks.  They were small.  Really small. I am going to guess this one was about 2 inches wide at the most.  Don't cha just love macro photography??

Again, macro photography, I had the wall to balance on and steady Sony Too with.  I love these two photos so much:

Despite the fog/sea mist we enjoyed our stops at these three parks.  And we were able to revisit a few days later, with no fog/sea mist.

We spent most of the rest of this day hiking at the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve area.

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THE Trip, THE Encore' :: Charleston, Oregon, The Harbor Delights

Copyright 2015, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Check out the date and place. Oregon and 2013. We are NOT in Oregon today.

On June 5, 2013 Man and I had arrived in Coos Bay Oregon and we were ready to go sight seeing.  First stop, Charleston.  Not South Carolina, Oregon!  It is a commercial and sport fishing center, which means, boats, boats and more boats!

They sell dungeness crabs there, yes, Man had to have some, yes, we bought this very one.  

Near by there is a lovely small park dedicated to those who were "Lost at Sea":

May they rest in peace.

Next we will lunch and visit the Sunset Bay State Park, Shore Acres State Park and Cape Arago State Park.  All three are side by side.  We will finish the day with a visit to the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.  Lots of great stuff to show you.

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