Tuesday, July 29 Otter Rock, Yaquina Head, Siuslaw Nat'l Forest, Oregon

 Tues. July 28 

51 degrees this morning.  As we leave the campground and get signal, Beth discovers that there is a Tsunami Advisory for the Pacific Coast due to a far-off earthquake.  And then we get a text from our friends Danny and Donna telling us the same thing.  Good we have signal, so we can investigate!  It seems  the advisory tells people to be aware, watch for upgrade to a warning, and avoid going in the water or boating... Beth is a bit more concerned than Greg but as we reach the coast again we see little concern...only this sign posted at one overlook.

First stop, Winema Wayfinding Point an overview with lake in foreground and ocean waves.  The few houses in the area must have an incredible view!  Can't help wondering what THEY think of the Tsunami Advisory...but maybe they are high enough.  Would love to spend some time in one of them!

Next we take the Otter Crest Loop by Boiler Bay, which includes this bird nesting area... not too busy today.    

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is next and is a very worthwhile stop, both for the tidal pool area and the lovely lighthouse.

Lots of mussels (though the ranger I talked with said this variety isn't really edible),  barnacles, anemone, sea urchins, sea stars, hermit crabs, etc. Surprisingly, we are told we can touch anything in the tidal pools.

Many harbor seals basking on the rocks farther out.  And lots of birds! I think these are the plentiful common murre.  They remind me of little penguins!

We then walked up to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse.

 As we were leaving the area, the fog rolled in lowering visibility.  Good timing for us!

I asked someone about a possible place for seafood lunch and he suggested a few spots.  We end up at the Newport Cafe, where Greg has a large bread bowl of claim chowder and Beth goes with the fish 'n' chips.  Both were quite good!   

Next stop, also in Newport, is the Oregon Coast Aquarium, suggested by some Oregon folks we met in Costa Rica.  

The initial displays have to do with pollution and feature several creatures made from debris collected from the ocean. 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year!

Many of the live displays feature critters that we have seen along the coast and there is even a touch tank.    This is quite an old aquarium but is nicely maintained.  A nice touch tank includes many of the creatures we have seen thus far and touching the anemone is weird as it wraps tentacles around your finger and pulls!

Love the puffins!

We stop at yet another fruit stand on the way out of town.  Two youngish men who were very interested in the Trek.  Back to the dark sweet cherries which are terrific.

For tonights' campground, we again head inland a bit to Blackberry Campground in the Siuslaw National Forest. $16 with our senior pass.   We pass through some rural, forested areas which apparently are home to elk as we see a handmade SLOW DOWN, ELK LIVES MATTER (ELM) sign.  And a little later - SLOW DOWN, SASKWATCH LIVES MATTER (SLM). 

 
The campground is pretty busy but nicely spread out, so we have no near neighbors.  Nicely treed with a nearby stream.

Don't remember dinner...that memorable 😀😀 but it is Beth's night to win at Cribbage.