From Sea to Shining Sea

We spent Sunday night in Newport, Oregon, right on the gorgeous Pacific coast. Monday would mean another long driving day, but I really wanted to dip my toes in the ocean before we ventured back across the states. I had never seen the Pacific Ocean. I’m a Georgia girl, so I only knew the Atlantic and the Gulf. Oh what a sight to behold! 

As we traveled down U.S. 101 (the Pacific Coast Highway) through Oregon, we followed the coastline for miles. It is interesting that the “Pacific” Ocean was so-named by Magellan because it looked calm and peaceful (like the word “pacify”). Today, it was anything BUT peaceful. The ocean was loud and forceful. Waves were crashing onto giant boulders in the surf. The clouds hung low, hiding the sun and covering the beach in fog. The temperature was 54 degrees. And still, it was magnificent!

The dunes were much different than on the East Coast, and didn’t feel nearly as “fragile.” They rolled on forever, making the beaches extend a quarter-mile wide or more in places. In other spots, huge craggy rocks reached out from the shore into the surf, providing perfect habitat for sea lions in their caves, and protecting the beach from the buffeting waves. Sprays of water leaped from the boulders with each coming wave. It could have been a scene from a movie - it was picture perfect! 

Because of the rocky shoreline, lighthouses were perched atop tall cliffs seaside, to warn sailors of the danger. Today they stand as reminders of the historic landings of early settlers in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon has worked to preserve this history and this beautiful coastline by securing miles of oceanfront as part of their state park system. 

We found a great little park south of Waldport where we snapped some more photos. It was the perfect location for me to step out into the surf. I crossed the rocks and beach to reach the cold, cold water! As the waves rolled in and out, my feet sank into the sand, just as the warm sun melted away the fog and finally welcomed a beautiful sunny sky … what a great feeling!

With socks and shoes back on, we continued our journey southward through Oregon. It really is an interesting state, with such a varied landscape. Much like Georgia, there are mountains, valleys, forests, and ocean, all in one! We traveled through neat little pioneer towns, like Umpqua, which boasts beautiful wooden carved sculptures along its Main Street. We also noticed a series of cool art-deco-style concrete bridges, which were built during FDR’s New Deal in the 1930s. Function and beauty came together to honor a style of design reminiscent of the Empire State Building.

Oregon highways gave way to northern California, then on into Nevada. With a total of 29 states, we are seeing this country from sea to shining sea! 


~Clyde