After we were done painting we needed a "mental balance" break. So we decided to take a day trip to the ocean. It has been very warm here. It's also been very smokey due to forest fires and all the smoke settling into the Willamette Valley. Somedays I feel as if I live in the LA area. Anyway being done with a big chore and wanting to change up our environment, we decided the cooler breezes of the Oregon coast would be great.
We ended up at Ecola State Park, Indian Beach. We've been there before and explored the tide pools. This time we explored the trails to the north. The Clatsop Loop is a 3 mile trail that rises 800 feet in 1.3 miles. We took the "harder" trail up, traversing switch backs and using tree roots as "stair steps" as we went up the shaded Sitka Spruce and fern lined trail. There were many ocean vistas on the way up. At the top was Hikers' Camp where 3 adirondak-style shelters are available on a first-come basis for an overnite stay. The trail then continues to Seaside or you can take the same trail back down to the trailhead or take the other "half" of the loop down to the trail head. We took the other "half". It was an easier trail, almost a gravel road, at a steady down hill grade but not as steep as the first "half" getting to Hikers' Camp. It was so nice to be in a cooler climate with a smoke free atmosphere. After our hike we sat on the beach for a while, enjoying the rhythmic sound of the surf and sun that was just the right temperature. And no paint.
 |
Sitka Spruce, ferns and FOG!
|
 |
This is as close as I can get to the Tillamok Lighthouse. Worth the hike to Hikers' Camp to see it closer.
|
 |
There's an abandoned WWII radar bunker up there.
|
 |
Blessed Fog!
|
 |
| Ahhh, a snack at the beach. |
No comments:
Post a Comment