May 29. 2008 by Merilee.

  Cape Blanco, Oregon

We toured the first lighthouse on the Oregon coast today.  It is located on the westernmost point in the US.  Constructed in 1870 to aid shipping and fishing fleets.  Today it is the oldest standing lighthouse on the Oregon coast.  I just wish the sun had made an appearance.  I posted a pic of the fresnel lens on Flickr.  The climb to the top was not bad except the last 10 steps were on a skinny ladder.  It was a fabulous view of the cliffs below and the Cape Blanco reef.

Posted in Oregon | Print | No Comments »

May 28. 2008 by Merilee.

  Port Orford, Oregon

It is interesting that the harbor at Port Orford has no protection from southern swells.  So the fishing fleet hoist their boats out of the harbor onto wheeled dollies!  Weird sight to be sure. 

The weather here is cold, drizzling and very foggy.  We drove to the Cape Blanco lighthouse but could not see anything but heard the sound of the waves on the rocks far below.  Maybe tomorrow will be better to see the westernmost point in the USA.

Posted in Oregon | Print | No Comments »

May 27. 2008 by Merilee.

   The drive north up the Oregon coast was stunning at every turn.  There were numerous vista points to stop and soak in the panorama.  The weather is in the sixties and sunny for the most part.  I think the coastal weather can change at any moment much like Maine.

Click on the pic to view it large.

Humbug Moutain, Oregon

Posted in Oregon | Print | No Comments »

May 25. 2008 by Merilee.

   The sunny California weather arrived today so we took a scenic drive down the coastal drive.  The views were breath taking on the water.  I am amazed at the wildflowers in bloom.

Crescent City CA

Posted in California | Print | No Comments »

May 23. 2008 by Merilee.

         Yes, we arrived in California yesterday after an amazing drive on the Redwood Highway.  The redwoods are beyond belief in their size and beauty.  Brad drove an unpaved loop through a state park with large groves of the giants.  The canopy  blocks the light from the ground but the ferns were beautiful in the rays of sunlight.

Crescent City, CA

Posted in California | Print | No Comments »

May 20. 2008 by Merilee.

          Yes, maybe so.  Camped at a beautiful pine-forested state campground in the Winema National Forest, we are enjoying the trees.  Today after the rain (yes, typical Oregon weather) we toured the Collier Logging Museum.  I know our NH friends would have enjoyed the large collection of tools and machinery dating back to the early 1800’s.  It was amazing to walk the outdoor paths through this extensive display of logging history in the Northwest.  Brad was seen examining the amazing human ingenuity incorporated in the machinery.  Interestingly, I am posting a pic from the pioneer village rather than all the rusty machines.  I just have to admire the sturdy log outhouse covered with lime green moss.  Yup, out in the woods too long.

Chiloquin, OR

Posted in Oregon | Print | No Comments »