We just got back from a summer's ending vacation driving Highway 101 on the Oregon coast with a dip into northern California to see the majestic Redwoods. I hope we get to travel more and see such amazing places as we did on this trip. There are a lot more beautiful photos online if you search Oregon coast but I will share some of mine here. Most interesting to me was the dramatic climatic differences on the coast from interior Oregon. We drove through the devastating drought areas and near 100 degrees, passing dust devils and seeing fire fighting encampments in the National forests. Coming down the west side of the mountain range the temperatures started dropping steadily until we reached the coast where it stayed a steady 55-65 all week. I am a weather buff and read about the climate there on the coast. That is the typical temperature there all year with winter dips into the high 40's and summer occasionally tipping up towards 80. The hotels commonly don't have air conditioning if that tells you anything. I think I have found my dream climate but would have to live through the rainy season to say for sure. I get gloomy with no sunshine. The other fascination for me on the Oregon coast was that the beaches have agates and other goodies washing up all the time. We were lucky enough to experience 2 beaches where there were appreciable stones to treasure hunt through. I have a theory that the drought is keeping down the new river washouts of stones but I imagine it takes a long time for the rock to get tumbled into smooth beauties on the beaches. Storms and the stormy season get the beaches to expose their treasures and as much as I love storms we may have to work out a return visit. The beaches and sea stacks are truly awesome and we sought out some of the lighthouses too. We saw quite a few sea critters, such a treat for our landlubber eyes. Seals by the hundreds in one place called Cape Arago and even a gray whale-really! The trees.....the gentle giants that leave you in hushed awe walking among them. We felt so small next to the Redwoods and it was easy to see what being a treehugger is all about. I loved them!
We hope to go to the opposite coast next, Key West Florida! Happy Fall Equinox to you.
Here are some real Oregon Agates on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/listing/234439945/polished-beach-agates?ref=shop_home_active_2
The Oregon Agate page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OregonAgates?fref=ts
Some of my photos:
