Heceta Head Lighthouse Hike

The 5th of July in Florence dawned bright, clear (and a bit windy and cool), so Dan and I and our visiting friends decided to take the hike off Highway 101 that leads to the Heceta Head Lighthouse. I can't imagine a more gorgeous or majestic setting for a hike. The ancient trees tower up to the sky, and at every turn along the trail you are treated to vast seascapes and ocean waves crashing along the shore. At times I found it hard to remember that the highway and the world were just over the next hill. Although much of the old growth and beautiful forests in Oregon have been mowed down over the years, I am grateful for those which have been left untouched, and that I am given the opportunity to walk among these most spectacular surroundings. The Heceta Head Lighthouse had been closed for a number of years, and was reopened just prior to our arrival in Florence. Dan and I were the only visitors to the lighthouse the first time we visited; this time there were at least 2 dozen or more visitors. Here are some updated pictures from our hike to the lighthouse this time around.



 

 

Florence, Oregon (July 2013)

On July 2, 2013, we left Cannon Beach, Oregon for Florence, Oregon, a relatively short drive south around ~175 miles. This wasn't our first visit to the area, and this isn't the first time I've written about Florence on my blog. We like this part of the Oregon coast and make it a point to stop here whenever we are traveling in this part of the country. But this time we were lucky enough to have visitors during our stay, two couples we know from the Sacramento and El Dorado Hills areas of California. Our friends came and stayed over the 4th of July long weekend and we had a great time hiking, touring Old Town Florence, watching the fireworks over the Siuslaw River on the night of the 4th, and sharing all around good times. The few days they were here just flew by, but we were able to pack a lot of activity into those days and create long lasting memories.

 

Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach, Oregon

Our last outing in Cannon Beach before heading south to Florence was a hike in the Ecola State Park. Dan and I had a lot of fun trying to figure out how to pronounce "Ecola". Is it pronounced E. Cola like the dreaded E. Coli? Or, was it more like "eee-cola", like the lozenge Ricola? Or maybe neither, maybe it was pronounced "Echo-la". We never found out officially, but we did find out what the word means. It turns out Ecola (or E-cu-lah) is the Chinook word for whale, and this area was thus named by Merriwether Lewis (of Lewis & Clark) for a beached whale they had found after an arduous search, led by Sacagawea. Far cry from the tiny E. Coli microorganism, huh?

The hike we took in the park this day was another experience of stunning views of the coast and trails winding through old-growth forests. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to explore portions of the Oregon Coast Trail during our stay in Cannon Beach, and I am looking forward to further explorations in both Florence and Gold Beach as we continue south over the next few weeks. Here are some snapshots of our hike.

 

Astoria, Oregon

During our stay in Cannon Beach we took the short drive up Highway 101 to visit nearby Astoria. Situated on the mouth of the Columbia River, one can cross over to Washington State via the 4.2 mile Astoria-Megler Bridge. Early explorations by Lewis and Clark helped shaped the history of this city, with the Fort Clatsop National Memorial commemorating the western end of the Lewis & Clark Trail. The Astoria Column is a prominent landmark, sitting in a wooded area 600 feet above sea level, and is Oregon's highest point. From the top of the column visitors are treated to views of the Columbia River, the snow-capped volcanoes of the Cascade Range in the east, and Saddle Mountain to the south. On the day we visited Astoria, we spent time at the Saturday Market, went to the top of the Column, and toured Fort Clatsop. We went with friends who were visiting us in Cannon Beach, who happened to have family in Astoria, so we were lucky enough to have personal tour guides and were treated to much of the local yore and history.
 

 

 

Hiking The Oregon Coast Trail (Falcon Crest)

Hiking ranks high on my list of "Favorite Things to do Outside", and hiking near the ocean is even better yet. Throw in hiking on the portion of the Oregon Coast Trail that winds through old growth forests, catching breathtaking view of the Oregon coastline, experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of this incredible spot on Planet Earth, and I can't really think of anywhere else I would rather be, or anything else I would rather do. I am forever grateful for each day my legs allow me to trample through the woods, up and down rooted and muddy trails, and climb the hills where hikes like this take me. As long as I can keep on trucking, I will forever look forward to the next opportunity to experience places like the Falcon Cape Hike near Cannon Beach.