Eleventh Stop - Tillicum Beach/Suislaw Nat'l Forest - June 29 - July 1, 2018

The drive from Diamond Lake/Crater Lake to our next destination of Tillicum Beach was gorgeous.  Oregon is amazing.  And people are so friendly!  We stopped at a drive-by coffee shop in a tiny little town (stopped the RV on the side of the road and I ran over).  Chatted with the man who owned it as part of a family business. . . Besides the 2 coffees and bagel that we purchased, he threw in a cookie and slice of pumpkin bread since we were "first time" customers. 

Arrived at Tillicum Beach campground, just north of Yachats, OR, in the Suislaw National Forest.  WOW.   WOW AGAIN.   Our campsite was on a small bluff, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.   A two minute walk got us down to the beach.  Beautiful sunset that night.







The next day, we went to Cape Perpetua, just a few miles to the south.  Drove up to an overlook . . . short trails for vistas . . . then to the Visitor Center, from which trails went to the beach where the waves were crashing over the rocks . . . then on a trail through the forest that took us to a 600 year old spruce tree.  Stopped for an early dinner at a restaurant called Ona, in Wachats.  Found my new favorite chardonney!  Chehalem.   Wonderful fresh seafood.   It was so good, we went back the next night!  












The next morning, after the clouds lifted, we went for a long walk on the beach.   Have I mentioned it is always windy along the coast?  Today was no exception.  We were walking along with light fog or clouds blowing with us, (and of course against us on the way back).  Gotta dress for conditions.   In the afternoon, we drove to Sea Lion Cave.  An elevator takes you down I think 20 stories, to a huge sea cave.  During the right seasons, many sea lions and seals are in the cave.  We saw one HUGE sea lion, who was camped at one rock for a while, then lumbered over to the water and swam to another big rock where a couple smaller sea lions were.  Very cool!   Then walked outside, to an overlook where many, many sea lions were hanging out on the rocks.    we then drove to another stop along the road in Cape Perpetua, and walked to the Heceta Lighthouse.  




















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