Yesterday at Cape Foulweather there wasn’t a breath of wind. Today was different! Sunny and clear, but wind. Also, yesterday we visited Yaquina Bay Historic Lighthouse and I mentioned my favorite lighthouse was at Yaquina Head. So today we visited the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. That’s really the name, and it’s managed by the U. S. Bureau of Land Management. The wind was fierce! Conservatively it was blowing at 35-40 mph – it was tough to stand still and take pictures. There are several areas of the site.
Click on the galleries below to bring up scrollable windows with full size pictures – the gallery previews may show just thumbnails of the pictures. By the way, the pictures look much better on a tablet or a computer than they do on your phone. Just saying.
The Cobble Beach
It’s a long stairway down to the cobble beach, and it’s tough to walk on the cobblestones. We’ve been down before and enjoyed it from above this time. Great views from the platform.
The Lighthouse
Yaquina Head Light is my favorite lighthouse. The light still shines. (All automated these days, of course, and no need for a lighthouse keeper anymore.) It was actually open to enter for the first time ever, but you couldn’t go to the top. Not much to see inside. Great views outside though. (There are tours at certain times.) It’s also a bird conservatory area and you can see the birds on the rocks.
Quarry Cove
Quarry Cove looks like a great natural site, but it was actually created by a man made and managed quarry (for basalt rock), Seals and otters in the water just sticking their heads up occasionally. And harlequin ducks on the rocks (look closely). See me in there hatless (because of the wind). Shadow picture too. The last picture best shows Quarry Cove from above.
Then it was into Newport for lunch at Zurita’s (again). A touch of Spain in Oregon. We ate inside this time (again because of the wind). Beautiful setting.
And great food. And great sangria. And great desserts. We shared
warm roasted organic carrots with whipped goat cheese, garlic crumble, and aleppo honey
crispy squid with chili allioli and black garlic allioli
duck mousse paté with toast points, pistachios, marmalade, fig spread, and olives
lemon meringue torta
dark chocolate dome with raspberry custard torta
We visited a couple of shops in the Nye Beach area and bought a few souvenirs and potential Christmas gifts. Then it was home for naps, balcony sitting, cocktails, sunset viewing, cheese and crackers, and eventually bed.
Ahhhhh, the shadow pic, love it. All the colors at Zuritas and the food pics were great. Glad to see all the ocean scenes too, never boring. Take care you two.
Lots and lots of beautiful ocean and beach views. What a big cormorant colony on those rocks (with a single pelican among them). And how cute are those harlequin ducks, and the seal.
Wow, Zuritas is even nicer inside than outside. Very eclectic. Love it. And the food looks and sounds so so good.
I knew there’d be a shadow pic eventually. Nice.
I can see why this lighthouse is your fave, it’s simple and beautiful, also a big fan of lighthouses, who isn’t, I wonder? Stunning coastal scenes and wild life; colorful, artsy restaurant and save for all the garlic, sophisticated, delicious small plate menu! It’s a delightful lifestyle—from morning to night, different day trip venues, delectable food and drink, sunsets and cocktails, educational and quite decadent all the same, can see why you return most every year! You’re one interesting couple! Miss you!🙋🏻
P.S. Thanks for the smile!
Oooh, beautiful scenery and ahhh, been waiting for this trip’s shadow photo.