Our route started in Brookings, OR, heading north along the coast.

We did a little side trip on the Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor.

First stop was the Cape Ferillo Loop Trail out to the viewpoint. Lovely walk through the woods to amazing views.

Next stop was the Natural Bridge. We could not get down to the base - the only way down was a steep unauthorized trail - but we loved the view.

Then we moved on, but not before some nice shots of the Thomas Creek Bridge - the highest bridge in Oregon

Port Ordford has a nice port area with some dolly hoists - the huge cranes that lift boats up onto the dock - so we thought we would take a peek to see if any were in action. Nope, but it's a nice little area anyway.

The vulture, quietly sitting on some driftwood posts, was a special attraction.

Just down from the port is a little beach area known as Battle Rock. It got it's name from a from a violent 1851 clash between Euro-American settlers and the local indigenous Quatomah.

Today, it's just a nice stretch of beach.

This is a very nice little museum dedicated to the Coast Guard station here in Port Ordford. It has a very good collection of gear, tools, history, pictures and local color

After reading all about the station and the rescue efforts of the past, we took the scenic trail to the overlook above Nellie's Cove to see the old pier where the Coast Guard boats were moored. The old 532 steps down from the station are closed

A little bit of extra fun, when went we were greeted by a lovely Labrador Retriever on the front porch. He was the docents dog, recovering from surgery.

Just a couple little stops on our way out of Port Ordford.

Unfortunately, the lighthouse was not open, but we took pictures anyway. Love lighthouses.

Then a stop at The Hughes House. Patrick and Jane Hughes were Irish immigrants. The gold mines in Oregon attracted him, and eventually he developed a black sand mining operation.

Eventually he went into cattle and dairy and built this house in 1898

We were on the road, next stop Bandon, then saw this. It was just too good to pass up, even if it was early and the shop was not open.

A local artist opened this, and Bandonia the Phoenix tells you all you need to know about her focus. He is made from collected waste like bottles, caps, golf balls, forks, you name it. If it got thrown out, it probably ended up on Bandonia.

The people along this road do seem to have a flair, like the mushrooms that caught our eye in someone's yead.

Bandon is a nice little town. Our destination was the Washed Ashore exhibit but first we took time to just enjoy the waterfront.

Something about all those gulls just getting ready for their day, quietly sitting in the port.

Art is big here. Even the gas station has a great wooden carving of a golfer (golf is also big)

The Old Bandon Fisheries Warehouse is now a multi-use community building. We wondered why Washed Up Art said open at 7am, then we found it is in the warehouse which also has a great little coffee shop, inventive play area for kids, a market of food and gifts, plus art.

Following the coast we came to Yachats - pronounced YAH hots.

We have been through here before, but it has grown a lot. Last time we were pretty much alone. Not now.

Drove down a little lane to see their covered bridge. Then we went down to the shore, played in the tidal pools and enjoyed the ocean views.

As we were driving through Newport, we saw a sign for the aquarium. Since it's a bit drizzly we thought something indoors might be a good idea.

This was an amazing aquarium. The exhibits are so well done, the variety of coastal sea life is large, and the volunteers who work there are very much into their jobs.

This aquarium is accredited with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Not something we were expecting.

We had booked a whale watching tour at Whale Research Eco Excursions in Depoe Bay.

We went early since the weather forecast was for strong winds later in the day and rain.

It wasn't a good day for whale sightings. For some reason they just were not cooperating by coming to the surface to feed or dive. Can't fault the staff, they were doing everything they could, just wasn't the best day.

We did have fun however. Our boat Captain Joe, was hysterically funny. The king of whale puns.

We do appreciate the effort taken to restore and run old trains, so we booked a little excursion on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railway.

It's a nice little ride down the coast (30 minutes) to Garibaldi, then back to Rockaway Beach.
The route goes along Tillamook Bay and offers some nice scenery along with a fun, running commentary from the guide on board.

Our last stop in Oregon, and Astoria is a very nice place to go.

On our prior trip up this way the Column was hidden in scaffolding while it was cleaned and repaired. We like scaffolding, but it does obscure whatever it surrounds.

Today the Column is fresh, open and quite a treat.

It pays tribute to the history of the Pacific Northwest.

Tonight we are staying at The Cannery Pier. Yes, it was as the name indicates. Now it is a beautiful hotel with amazing views of the Columbia River.

You also get some great views of the Astoria-Megler Bridge. Built in 1966, it completed road route into Washington. No more ferry required.

We enjoy this area, and as the day shifts into night, it can be rather stunning.

We did a little tour of this museum. It is dedicated to the all the activities, business and support services you find on the river.

It is a small museum, but nicely done.

This morning we took the ferry to Whidbey Island in Washington State. Our eventual goal is Anacortes, but we did some tourising along the way.

Fort Casey was built around 1900, and was a major defensive outpost for the Puget Sound.

This bridge connects Whidbey Island with Fidalgo Island. Built in 1934, it eliminated the need to call a ferry.

It spans Deception Pass on the southern end and Canoe Pass on the northern end with the cleverly names Pass Island in the middle.

We did not take too many pictures after the bridge, but some things were very interesting so I gathered them in here.

The Maiden of Deception Pass was really interesting. It is based on the Samish legend of Ko-wal-alwoota who falls in love with a sea god and chooses to live under water with him to ensure her people never go hungry

As always, we have pictures that just don't fit into any particular stop, but they seemed fun to us. So....