Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Newport Oregon….Misty, Foggy, high of 52, low 45

Our temporary view

Every once in a awhile you come across a BLM recreation area that is well maintained with knowledgeable volunteers and beautiful scenery all in one.  The Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area truly is "outstanding".  On the North end of Newport, Oregon the headland is a great spot for hiking with 5 trails, tide pooling, exploring the old lighthouse and whale watching.  The area is an one mile long lava flow.  Native Americans used this gateway to the sea to hunt marine mammals, collect mussels and seek spiritual enlightenment.  Captain Cook named this place Cape Foulweather due to the inclement weather he encountered there while moored at the Yaquina River.  He also named a spot just North of us Cape Foulweather.  My guess is he came here in the winter.  Pirates and sailors used the point as a navigation point as they travelled up and down the coastline.

The US Lighthouse Service built the lighthouse in 1872 and the lamp was lit on August 20, 1873.  There was a two story keepers dwelling, a barn, gardens, and outbuildings.  The light was kept lit by the lighthouse keepers.  Their days were filled with polishing, cleaning and repairing.  The lighthouse was automated in 1966, ending the era of station attendants.  Today the Coast Guard maintains the lights and the lens.  Friends of Yaquina Lighthouse provide tours in period costumes.  The volunteer who did our tour was very entertaining and knowledgeable.  It was interesting to try to imagine the hard work the keepers had to do just to keep the lamps lit and the lighthouse maintained.  

The lights 

A look down the staircase from the top

This is a great spot for whale watching during their migrations.  We will be stationed here during our turn at the Winter Whale Count.  Our site here at the resort is also a great spot to see the whales go by.  I saw whales everyday last week.  Some are in a big hurry to get south and others are just kinda coasting by.   I miss our spot, but more about that later.  

We joined the Oregon Coast Aquarium as we are always looking for places to go to.  For a small annual fee of $65.00 you have unlimited entry to the Aquarium and events for 2.  Right now they have Sea of Lights, a Christmas light display throughout the facility on Saturday and Sunday nights.  Next week they have a crab themed event.  

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

A vulture enjoying the sun

An otter enjoys his breakfast

The seals are swimming about

I can not imagine diving with this on my head!
The wetsuit is restrictive enough for me!

The resident Pacific Octopus

Sea Horses

Jellies!  Pat & Sam, I thought of you and Jellyfish Lake in Palau!

Newport is home to Oregon's largest fishing fleet and the crab season started on Monday morning.  All weekend long we saw lots of boats out on the water as they set  their pots.  After a few days 'soak', they go back and haul up the pots.  Word is the crab are big and plentiful this year.  One unlucky vessel ran aground in the Yaquina jetty, going south of the buoy markers instead of North.  The 40 year old vessel  was picked up by crane and sent to the boat works in Toledo, OR.  We went by to take a look as did lots of other folks.  It was an attraction Monday morning.  Later on we ventured down to the BayFront but not much happening there.  We were hoping to pick up some fresh tuna for Poke, but the only thing being sold was crab.   

The Fishing Vessel ran aground

I wrote earlier that I missed my lot on the ocean.  We are having some landscaping done that includes new planter areas, new patio areas, and new plants.  The contractor thought it would be easier to complete all the work if the Beast wasn't in the way so we moved to another site in the resort.  It's not on the water, but it is still very nice.  This is a very nice resort and if all you other nomads ever get to the west coast, you gotta try this place out.  I'll post the before and after photos once it is completed.  It  should be done next week and I can't wait to get back!

Have a very Happy Holiday Season!