A new day brings another car adventure.
It was an overcast morning with rain in the forecast.
However, a true Oregonian is never one to shy away from a few rain drops.
We decided to grab a few adventurous friends, and head out to the beach.
Rain or shine, highway 101 is a beautifully scenic road that will take you up and down
the entire Pacific coast line.
When most people think of a day at the beach, they think of sun bathing in the hot sand,
and swimming in the ocean. Spending the day at the beach in Oregon is a little different.
While the summer months tend to be a bit warmer and dryer, rain is to be expected.
It is the rain after all, that makes this land so alive and unique.
We put on our rain gear, and headed out to enjoy a full day at the beach
in true Oregon style!
On the rocks off shore we spotted lazy harbor seals laying about.
These creatures learn to swim from birth. Strong swimming abilities allow
harbor seals to playfully swim around effortlessly in the rough ocean currents.
They spend half their day on land safely away from large ocean pretors.
Harbor seals are large animals. They can reach 5 to 6 feet in length, and weigh
up to 300 pounds. It is a sight to see them moving about on land by awkwardly
flopping along on their bellies.
The power of the Pacific ocean is truly appreciated when you see something like this.
A large red wood tree has been striped of bark, and tossed ashore
like a toothpick.
The force of the ocean is demonstrated here with this HUGE tree stump.
The surface is weathered, and worn smooth by being tumbled in the ocean current
before it was deposited on the rocky shore line.
It is incredible to think of how much power it would take to lift and move this tree stump.
With an abundance of water and minerals all around, life clings to every surface.
Yellow monkey flowers highlight the vegetation claiming this steep sand stone cliff.
At the waters edge life is even more abundant.
As the tide goes out the life forms that live on the ocean water are exposed.
I found this clusters of gooseneck barnacles, among a bed of blue mussels
exposed to the open air.
Ochre Sea Stars can be found in this lovely purple shade...
... as well as this fiery orange hue.
The starfish cling tightly to the side of the rocks, moving slowly as they feed on mussels.
Giant green anemones cluster together in underwater gardens.
Anemones use their long green tentacles to sting, and then capture prey
such as small fish that swim by.
We made our way back up the beach to find another group of harbor seals lounging about
on rocks, further out in the ocean.
After a full day in the rain exploring the beach, we were all ready to eat.
We ended our day at the beach with a warm meal cooked out on the grill.
Little Known Fact; A picnic always tastes better in the rain.
The Oregon Adventure Continues on.
I invite you to follow along on the next chapter!
