Yaquina Head and Devils Punchbowl

Super storm in the Bering Sea causing big surf all the way to central Oregon.

Extra big surf causing really spectacular views along the coast - usually these kind of waves are associated with winter storms, but today is sunny and warm - really bonus weather for this last in the fall.





Historic lighthouse, closed, and wrapped up, for repairs.

Devils Punchbowl, at low tide.

The Riparian Zone

A rainy night and morning

After the rain stopped (mostly), we walked a trail next to Spencer creek which borders the campground and winds back into the forest.  This riparian zone was dark, misty, drippy, and damp; in other words, perfect habitat for ferns, moss, mushrooms, and newts.

Another cool octopus tree

Spencer Creek
Moss and ferns will grow on YOU if you stop too long!


We saw dozens of these little guys!

Necklace of mushrooms


Love these little guys - like coral, I forget what they're called - maybe 'fairy fingers'?


I like that you can see the veil under the cap.


Shafts of sun make it through the canopy of trees to light up the ferns

Beverly Beach State Park

So close to so much!


Between Newport and Lincoln City, this state park is close to Yaquina Head Historic lighthouse, Devil's Punchbowl, the jetties around Yaquina bay (big fishing marina and processing plants in Newport), sea lions lounging around on the docks, an outstanding ocean museum, and the Rogue Brewery.  

The beach is a great place to look for agates.  Mostly what we saw were huge piles of kelp - the surf has been particularly rough and the kelp was really tangled up like braided rope.






The campground is huge, but shady - full of big spruce.  A lot of 'Octopus trees'  - big spruce that grew out of fallen trees or stumps and when the stumps rot away, you can see the roots of the new trees.  The trees look like they're standing on tip toe.




An owl hanging around like a scrub Jay!


Walking around the campground, we were surprised to see an own up in a tree.  While we watched, it flew down into a yurt site - I've never seen such a bold owl.



Sea lions are a rambunctious, noisy lot!

These guys hang out on some old docks next to  Pacific Seafood processing plant on the old Newport waterfront.


Night of the Zombie Pumpkin!

Zombie Pumpkin!


Easy to outrun, but just as scary.

This 'rolling dead' got a trick-or-treater, but luckily I got to the gory gourd with a kitchen knife before it could wreck more havok.


No Halloween is complete without roasted pumpkin seeds.




Or toddlers in costume


Twin grand-nephews - aren't they grand!