Sea lions, tide pools and sunsets

I'm a day behind on my photos, so here is what happened yesterday... In the morning we woke and went to the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area (a Bureau of Land Management-BLM-designation), just north of Newport, Oregon. This is - big surprise - the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, which is Oregon's tallest lighthouse at 93 feet tall. The light has been active since 1873. Newport is on the northern part of the Central Oregon Coast - the region we're exploring.
As you walk down some stairs, you get to a cobblestone beach - which is at low tide in this photo. Rebecah (Director, Central Oregon Coast Association) said that it sounds really neat when the water is up and the waves wash over the cobblestones.
A closer view of the gray rocks/cobblestones.
As you walk further out, the cobbles give way to rocky tidepools where you see seaweeds, seastars, anemones, mussels and so much more. This is Rebecah checking them out.
A purple-colored ochre seastar.
Another view of seaweeds, seastars, anemones
All of the rocky islands and islets off the Oregon coast are protected as part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. This is Eileen checking out the sign on the walkway down to the beach.
A view of the islets and the cliffs from Yaquina Head ONA.
Nest we went to the Oregon Coast Aquarium and we got "kisses" from a California sea lion named Lea. After that we meandered the aquarium which is very large and impressive. My photos didn't turn our fabulous and I prefer the natural areas but it really was a nice one, especially for kids.
This was one of my favorite places so far. I don't know why but I just had a blast getting a tour of this brewery. It's not even a microbrewery anymore, but a regional brewery because it's larger in size. It's officially called the Rogue Ales World Headquarters and we even met the brewmeister himself, John Maier.
The brewery has a restaurant called Brewer's on the Bay and it overlooks the scenic Newport Bayfront where boats are docked in their slips. They make a gazillion (OK maybe not QUITE that many) and they also sell other companys' beers. You can order a sampler, which I did. I had them listed out and of course I lost the paper... so these may not be in the right order as shown but I tried the Hazelnut Brown, Ginger (not listed on their beer list, and it is a beer not a soda pop drink), Mom Hefeweizen, Chamamellow (with chamomile), Orange Honey Ale. My fave was the hazelnut! But what I REALLY loved was - get this - the chocolate stout ice cream float!!! Of course, when I saw it on the menu, I had to try it. I thought it sounded completely disgusting but in fact it was freaking delicious!!! Go figure.
Next, we wandered around the Newport Historic Bayfront area. I wandered off to find the public bathroom when I heard a sea lion barking. I thought maybe it was some artificial sound to attract people to some store, but no, in fact it was a group of them hanging on a dock. They remind me so much of that children's book Sammy the Sea Lion (wasn't that what it was called? Now I cant find it on Google). Anyway so... they're just cute and cantankerous. These people are hanging over the dock looking at...
These guys. Ar ar ar! Here's a video I recorded.
Big boy!
Love this sign in one of the windows. As a Cancer I totally wanted the crab hat. But alas the store was closed.
I bought some handmade truffles not to mention a boatload of saltwater taffy!
This was the alcohol day, I guess! Next we went to the Flying Dutchman Winery, owned by Richard (Dick) Cutler and his family (he also manages the Inn at Otter Crest where we stayed this night - another stellar resort. I'm getting seriously spoiled). The Flying Dutchman doesn't have their own vineyard but instead buy grapes from five Oregon vineyards and then make the wines here in the salt air along the coast. I believe he said they don't sell it at any restaurants or stores, and so it's very exclusive and several of their wines have won awards. I'm no wine connoisseur but I had fun tasting them!
And THIS is the view they have out the back of their winery!! The yellow flowering things are Scottish broom which is apparently a non-native weed, but it still makes for a pretty picture. But the scenery would be gorgeous without them too. What a view. Dick told us that his kids are involved in the biz too so he has grandkids underfoot and he couldn't ask for anything more. I think I am beginning to know where I may want to move after my kids graduate from high school! We have been blessed with sun every day, but that's not that typical of the Oregon coast.
I thought this made a cool pic!
Richard graciously gave us each a bottle of wine, signed by him. Wow! What a gift! They are like $38 bottles of wine...
Me, Pat Cusick (who works at the PR firm representing the Oregon coast), Rebeca, Dan High (sales manager at the winery), and Eileen a writer who wrote How to Be A Sister: A Love Story with a Twist of Autism about growing up with an autistic sister. She also has an autism blog at Psychology Today, and now works at Media America writing about the Oregon coast. Here's some of her stuff on the Travel Oregon blog. There were not many writers on this trip. One cancelled last minute but they've had up to 13 in past years. This area is absolutely fantabulous and the trip is great. I think I've gained about 10 pounds...
After the winery, we ate dinner at "the original" Mo's - a local Oregon chain - and then stopped to shoot this pic on the way to the hotel (The Inn at Otter Crest). The Oregon coast has a lot of these rivers flowing into the ocean. The Inn at Otter Crest is set on 35 forested acres. The rooms are condos that owners rent out so each one is different but they have fireplaces, desks, kitchenettes. The condos are set up on a cliff overlooking the ocean, and I watched the sun set through the window. And... I saw the green flash for the first time ever!! I actually had thought maybe it was an urban myth, or something people tell others they have seen as sort of an inside joke , but no I really saw it right after the sun sank into the sea (I used to think the Green Flash was a superhero! Ha!)
This is Gull Rock which was visible out my room's window.

Busy busy on the Oregon coast!

Pastel sunset near Lincoln City, Oregon. Copyright (c) 2011 Wendee Holtcamp

Today can be summarized in one word: food! Too much probably because although it was absolutely delicious I am completely stuffed still, hours after last eating. We stuffed so much into today (in addition to food) that I took enough photos to completely fill my memory card for my SLR camera and because - you know how you always forget SOMETHING on a trip? - well what I forgot was an extra memory card. I normally do not like to delete anything until I download it and back it up on my external hard drive but alas I have 4 more days to go. So let's hope and pray my trusty laptop makes it until I get home!

At any rate it's past midnight so I will just post a few of my favorite images from the day.

This morning, Rebeccah (Director of COCA) and I had breakfast at the Salishan Spa & Golf Resort, and then we decided on a whim to go hiking at Drift Creek Falls trail in the Siuslaw National Forest. It was a long, winding one-lane road to the trailhead, and then a 3 mile round-trip hike to a waterfall. Here are a few photos. Above - Mossy rocks!
I'm not sure what this purple bluebell-like flower is, but I will have to find out!
Me hiking the trail. It was pretty mushy and muddy.
The trail goes to a suspension bridge across Drift Creek.
Another view of the bridge.
And that overlooks the waterfall - awesome.
A funky view of a cedar tree on the trail.
Next we went back to Salishan Resort where we had lunch at the Sunroom (same place as b-fast) and met up with another person on our trip - Eileen. She knows another writer I know, which is always cool. Then we went down to the Taft district of Lincoln City and this beautiful beach... It had been drizzly on and off all morning, with some surprise "sun peaks" thrown in but then after lunch the day gave us all with a completely unexpected surprise - a sunny rest of the day. It was breathtaking to see the coast all lit up with sunshine. It has been a rainy spring here and though I've not been here the whole time for the rain season, I know that I got a very lucky break with the sun.
So we met up with some folks from Lincoln City and they have the COOLEST program where they "hide" these beautiful glass floats (examples of which I had pics of yesterday) all up and down the coast. It's called Finders Keepers and they say that float fairies leave them for kids of all ages to find. Every year they do that many - so since it's 2011 they will hide 2011 floats on the beach this year. They don't put them out all at once but bit by bit so people can look for them. When you find it, you keep it. They're beautiful. And we even got one as a gift!
I was giddy with the sunshine so walked all over the driftwood-city beach and shot photos. All these pics are taken in the historic Taft district/beach of Lincoln City.
Next we went to the Lincoln City Culinary Center, which is owned by the city and they offer cooking classes and other cool stuff for locals and tourists. We had our own cooking class and made raisin scones, crepes with homemade Nutella (hazelnut-chocolate spread-recipe to come), strawberries and whipping cream. ZOMG they were soooo good! This is Eileen cooking crepes. I have some good ideas I'm going to try to pitch to Food & Wine. This place was freaking awesome! You can come on Sat nights and have an adult cooking class with a meal and wine and sometimes celebrity chefs. Sharon Wiest is the Executive Chef, and she taught us today. They really focus on local ingredients - farm to fork - and in fact most of the restaurants we have visited here do so. Local, sustainable, and organic is big biz in Oregon.
On the way to dinner, we stopped by Devils Lake State Natural Area on a whim, and I loved the miniature daisies. Of course I had to put a couple in my braids. We came up next to this van with these two dudes, one with binoculars, just staring at the lake from inside their van. I asked what he was looking at and he didn't really have an answer. I was joking like are you looking at people in their houses? Are you looking at birds? He was like, yea, I like birds. But he didn't really sound like a birder. Anyway so then the other lady on the trip mentioned that she thought he was getting high... and I bet she was probably right. What can I say, it's Oregon.
We had dinner at the Chinook Winds Casino's Rogue River Steakhouse restaurant, and I was already sooo incredibly stuffed from the crepes and scones and coffee BUT of course I had to eat! They brought out 6 different appetizers, then I ordered lobster, and then they brought out three different desserts. And yes, I'm now so stuffed I think I am going to puke. But the food was so good!! One of the desserts was creme brulee and I never liked it before, ever. But this made a creme brulee lover out of me! They also had local marionberry cobbler and a flourless chocolate cake. Wow. Just had a small bite of each of those but wow!
After dinner we were heading to the hotel but had to stop and photograph and watch the sunset. One of my favorite things to do is photograph sunsets so naturally I filled up my memory card with them. Here are a few of my faves.



LOVE this one!

We are staying at the Surfrider Resort hotel, which sits right on the beach (and I have a jacuzzi tub in my room!). After we got to the hotel, it was about 9pm and it was still fairly light out, so I took a walk down to the beach by myself to shoot photos and just listen to the sounds of the surf. There was a couple who had made a fire down there so I walked along the other direction and shot this cool rock formation in the light of the waning sun.

Oregon coast is paradise!

Sunset this evening, through my window at the Salishan Spa & Golf Resort, Gleneden Beach, OR
All photos copyright (c) 2011 Wendee Holtcamp

I've been in Oregon since Thursday and I want to share all my photos of my trip so far (including visiting my dad's Crackerbox Palace - aka log cabin in the woods) and a gathering of writers in Portland and seeing my 7th grade BFF but first, I'm going to share the images of the beautiful Central Oregon coast because I spent the last half of today exploring and photographing and it's freshest on my mind -so this is 'live and in person'! Right now, I'm sitting in an incredible hotel room complete with a gas fireplace, couch, King-sized bed, massive bathroom - and a view you see above...

The natural beauty of Oregon inspires me. Yes, I'm from here, and yes my visit is hosted by the Central Oregon Coast Association or COCA but I'm not just saying that because COCA is sponsoring my trip. Anyone who has been to the Oregon coast will pretty much say the same thing! It rains a lot and there are often clouds, but the entire coast (that I have seen before - and more this trip) has absolutely breathtaking scenery.

At any rate, this morning I left my dad's place and headed south of Portland and when I got near Corvallis, headed coast-ward up and over the mountains to Newport, a small town right near the coast. There I met up with the Executive Director of COCA who is driving me around (we are meeting up with a couple others tomorrow). We have only had half a day on the coast so far but I've taken so many pictures already that I wanted to upload them or I'll never be able to catch up when I get home. So here are some images to whet your appetite! Most of these I took with my Android phone, which has some apps that allow me to create cool-looking images, but others are from my Canon SLR.

First we went to the Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center (run by Oregon State Parks - and free to the public). Gray whales can be spotted here year-round. Right now they are migrating northward, and just minutes before we got there a mother and calf swam by but we didn't see any. Bummer! Orcas, seals and sea lions can also be spotted. We saw a couple of sea lions on the jetty (visible with the multiple pairs of binoculars provided at the center).

We drove a mile up the road to Boiler Bay where we thought maybe we would spot the mother and calf, but no luck. However it was beautiful! Notice the waterfall on the right.

Next we stopped in at Alder House III - the "oldest glassblowing studio in the Pacific NW."
Buzz Williams, owner of Alderhouse, shows us how he creates glassware.

ome glass balls (floats) in the studio.

Loved the look of all the colorful glass artwork!
Funky tilt lens effect on a St. Francis statuette.

I had hardly eaten all day so was very excited about dinner. We ate at the 3-star Bay House Restaurant in Lincoln City. I had the Alaskan halibut with cucumber, baby bok choy, coriander, meyer lemon, celeriac, and micro-arugula. It was tender, flavorful, and beautifully presented.

Owner Stephen Wilson sat and chatted with us for a while. They use as much locally farmed veggies and meat as possible and did so way before it became popular to. I also got a lesson in what it means to be 3, 4, and 5 star. Wow! They have to jump through hoops to get those stars! Interesting stuff.

Holy yumness, the truffles were gorgeously presented and freaking delicious. In fact I nibbled two halves, then took the rest back to my hotel room where I had them in front of the fireplace with a cup of coffee!

There was a guy catching sand shrimp out the window as we ate - can you see him on the right?These shrimp are apparently bait for catching halibut. While we ate, the sun peeped out of the clouds and then it gradually cleared up! Sun on the Oregon coast - I couldn't ask for more! The forecast had called for rain all week so I'm very happy. I thought this image was Boiler Bay but it turns out it's actually Siletz Bay that the Bay House overlooks.

The sun through the clouds over Siletz Bay near Lincoln City (where the Bay House sets). And you know what? My stepdad's parents lived here for many years, and I spent one Thanksgiving there as a kid. We are going to go visit their house on the trip. My stepdad's dad passed away many years ago and his mom moved to Sequim, WA but now she lives near them in Dallas.

After dinner we walked down to the bay/beach and I accidentally shot this with my phone. I thought it looked totally surreal and beautiful. I want to start a website with accidental photos!

This is my room at The Salishan Spa & Golf Resort. The room is huge, and decorated in ranch style luxury. This pic doesn't do it justice!
And that brings us to... the sunset over the bay!

But before I leave you for tonight I wanted to give you a taste of the images I shot at my dad's log cabin, aka the Crackerbox Palace as he calls it. This is a window of the bathroom from the outside.

And the cabin itself. Very small, quaint, rustic. Home! I spent every summer here and lived with my dad here for two years when I was 8 through 10.