National Volcanic Monument

Lava Cast Forest 

A one mile stroll through a lava flow

as far as the eye can see.

 Lots of things now growing there.

 Love the trees.

 It's a lovely stroll on a paved surface.

 It did a lot of damage and there are big holes

where trees used to be.

 Beautiful paintbrush amongst the lava.

Found a poser.

Eagles and Vultures...Oh my

We were motoring down the Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway

which turned out to be a happening place  

when my eagle-eyed hubby spotted

an EAGLE.

Who doesn't stop for an eagle.

Said eagle was in a flapping frenzy with some vultures,

and we were trying to figure out what the to do is about

coming around to pretty sure it's roadkill.

So there were three against one, so the eagle went and got a pal.

 And they gawked.

 and gawked.

 Since the eagles weren't showing any action I focused

my attention on the vultures that were

fluttering about like gang of wasps.

 Swooping and sweeping.

I think the eagles were letting them wear out.

 You'll notice the sky changed every time I got pix.

 It was driving me nuts.

Sunny, gray, cloudy, really cloudy.

And then without warning the eagle made its move.

Lucky lucky shot.

Still no idea what they were in a flap about.

Overcast and cold this day

We started out with shorts and tanks

and ended up in jeans and a jacket and we were

just a few miles up the road.

Drove through quaint Newport and then

 found a lighthouse in the Yaquina Bay State Park.

 And a big boat steaming down the channel.

 And that gorgeous, delicate looking bridge.

 The coastline had a marine layer, or fog to us, all the

way up the coast.

 Houses on a river.

 This big rock just sits in middle of the Pacific.

Coming around the corner to the town of Pacific City and

behind the little town was this huge rock.

Very cool.

 I'm not really good with taking pictures in marine layer.

 Our camp is right next to this marina.

 Piles of oyster shells.

 Floats......

 Lots of boats.

 The marine layer doesn't stop these people.

 Or the birds.

 This was cool and approaching sundown.

Had a lovely dinner at the Pirates Cove.

Fresh fish. Halibut.

Yum!

Marina, bridges and a lighthouse

OH my.

That huge seal is actually alive and did move

just enough to verify LOL.

Brookings Marina....

 Love working boats.

They have such lovely character.

 A monument to those lost at sea.

 Bullard beach lighthouse.

We stayed at this lovely camp a couple of nights.

 And the driftwood on Bullard's beach

was huge and as far as the eye could see.

Sunset at about 9 p.m.

It's weird how light it is out at that time of night.

 And a visitor at camp - through our

dirty RV windows - Didn't want to startle him.

Meet a Stellars Jay.

Obviously loves fruit.