Central Oregon Coast

We're staying on Waohink Lake near Florence, OR. Florence sits on the Siuslaw River on the Central coast. The area is famous for its sea Sea Lion Caves, the restored 19th-century Heceta Head Lighthouse, and seabird and whale watching. Across the river is the towering Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

Here there are low dunes that meet the river

Lumber

One of the many Art Deco bridges built in the 1920's and 30's  by Conde B. McCullough. 

Our RV spot

Shopping

This drawbridge was actually stuck open for several minutes while traffic backed up in both directions.

These decorative sea lions are found throughout the area (Jan's favorite).

Coastal dunes

It's steeper than it looks and fun to slide down.

 Heceta bridge and tunnel near the lighthouse.  

The Heceta light is the brightest one still operating on the entire Oregon Coast.

We watched sea lions and gray whales from this amazing vantage point.

Newport, Oregon

Be sure to read the sign above the door

These are the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America. Some dunes tower up to 500 feet.

We were lucky to have lunch on the same beach as a golden eagle.  He was standing at the edge of the water but too far away to photograph.  

These are called "Tree Islands", forests that developed on dunes that are over 20,000 years old!