Heceta Head Light House and Orcas

The forecast was for rain so we stayed around until noonish and when it didn't rain and the sun was trying to peak out, we opted to drive to Eugene to do some shopping.  Florence has most stores we need but not all.  Drove along a scenic road over the Cascade Range and through lush forest and out on the other side to very dry conditions, looks like little or no rain for some time.  Found the stores we needed and drove back.  The drive to Eugene only took 50 minutes one way, not bad.

Heceta Head Light House

It was about 3:30pm when we got back to Florence and since the sun was shining, we decided to drive to Heceta Head Light House, going north on Rte 101 about 8 miles.  The Sea Lion Caves were also right there and maybe we would try to get a good look.

Road hugs cliff - look closely - see an RV?

Absolutely beautiful, breathtaking to see!  I remember when we drove down the coast a couple of days ago, the road sometimes hugged the ocean, driving on steep cliffs, one move and you would be a goner.  The road did not change since then, still very scary if you do not like heights, but that is the only way to get from A to Z if you were traveling in this area.

We first pulled into the designated area for viewing the light house but found we would have to hike considerable distance UP to see it and why would we want to do that?  Instead, drove back through that tunnel that gave us fits when we traveled here with the RV and out on the other side, stopped, and took some breathtaking views of the place.

A bonus was orcas feeding below us.  I think there were 5 and when we first saw them there were two feeding but saw from out in the ocean the blow/spray of a couple more coming in.  Stayed at that pullout for some time watching the orcas circle around and around, the feeding patterns of the orca, as they moved in closer to shore.

Looking south - beginning of Oregon Dunes

Drove back south a ways, passing where the Sea Lion Caves are and decided not to stop because it was slammed with people, very little parking, and no view of the light house anyhow.  The people at the campground said the sea lions are not there and chances are we would not see them - why spend the money?  Drove just a tidge further south and stopped and took a picture of the beginning of the Oregon Dunes as they begin just north of the light house.  Saw the jetty of the Suislaw River where it meets the ocean in Florence and we are camped just north of the jetty. Continual fog horn sounding from the buoy at the jetty, neat sound.