Oregon Adventures: Hwy 101 continued...

Sunday started early. We all quickly got ready, ate, then headed out for more touring. I couldn't help taking these adorable pictures of my handsome, beautiful boys!~

Our first destination was looking for some low tide pools that we could look for sea creators like star fish, hermit crabs, etc.. We stopped at a few viewing points while we searched. Our first was a look out point with a cave that had a hole looking straight down into it called the Devils Punch Bowl. The water at high tide looked like it came up to the very top. I am not a fan of heights, therefore I had to turn the camera over to John for pictures.

Our next stop while looking for tide pools was a place called Cape Foul Weather. The only ones brave enough to get out of the car was Hyrum and John. Here's Why: (a little History lesson) courtesy of http://www.u-s-history.com/or/c/cfoulwea.htm.

"Cape Foulweather was discoverd and named in 1778 by the famous British navigator Captain James Cook. It was at this Point that Captain Cook first sighted the mainland of North America on the Pacific Coast, and one of the sudden storms which greeted his arrival almost put an end to his historical expedition. The fierceness of the storm is reflected by the name he gave this rugged landmark - Cape Foulweather.

The Lookout is perched atop this promontory rising 500 feet above sea level and from its windows can be seen the crashing surf along the shore, sea birds nesting on the rocks, sea lions basking in the sun, fleets of fishing boats in search of salmon, ocean liners whose wisps of smoke string out along the far horizon. Whale Watching, unbelievable sunsets, and the peaceful calm which follows the violence of a sudden storm."

So now that you have the History you can see that by the sudden storms when we got there the wind was whipping so hard that you had to fight it just to get to the gift shop. I felt it was blowing so hard it would take you right off the cliff. I wasn't about to attempt that, although the views were incredible.

This was just a neat picture I found on the web that was taken from cape foulweather.

Fianlly Hyrum and Tiana spotted a pull out that seemed like a good place to scale down the mountainside to a small cove that at high tide would be covered. Me being as scared and unsure as I was, I felt very skeptical about the location. It was an unmarked place, and the cliff looked to much for our little kids to climb down. John being the determined one set off to find a much more suitable trail to get us down to the cove. When he came back he reassured us that the path was safe, and easy walking. I protested a little but followed along anyway. As we got to the steep areas of the so called "trail" I was holding Jaiden secretly panicking as one by one each child got let down slowly to the descending trail. As we reached a stream that was leading to what we hoped was a smooth opening onto the rocks below, out infront of us we suddenly heard John begin to giggle. Immediately I knew that we had come to a dead end. He turns to us and says "OOPS." We all decide since our little ones were struggling to stay on the path as is, it would be best to not find another way down and head back to the cars. As we got back and looked down toward the path we were heading on we could see that we were heading straight toward a small water fall. Now we know why John started to giggle.

Back at the cars we looked out at the ocean, and as we did we heard a faint whistle. We looked around to see John had made his way down the Rocks to the cove and was trying to get us to come down with him. We had already attempted one way down based on his reassurance, and we quickly decided we didn't want to try another. Can you see John in the picture? John looked around a little than rejoined us as we continued on up Hwy 101.

Our Fearless leader....Thanks love for the adventure. I still love you!~

Next it was up to Lincoln city Then turn around and head back to Newport. One thing I love about the cities along the coast is the Bridges. One Bridge that is just outside of Newport Called the Yaquina Bay Bridge. This bridge is one of the most recognized on hwy101. The main span is flanked by identical 350 ft (107 m) steel arches. The rest of the structure is constructed of reinforced concrete. One concrete deck girder forms the northern approach, and a series of 5 arches makes up the southern part of the bridge. I was wow'd at the look and grandness of this bridge.

I also took Pictures of this bridge from the road below leading to the aquarium we visited.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is home to more than 15,000 marine animals including sea otters, sea lions, octopuses, sharks, tufted puffins and an array of tropical fish. It was so awesome to walk through and view all the amazing creators. The kids had a blast and I can't wait to go back again.

After our aquarium visit it was time to head home, but not before we stopped for one last sunset on the beach. I know we'll be making more of these trips and very soon.