Peter And Evie - Travel blog: Oct 4 - Central Oregon Coast

Rained most of the night, but just drizzly this morning, which actually stopped by the time we finished breakfast. We went back to the coffee shop in Pacific City, so Peter could work on the computer a bit. I walked across the street, back over to the Cape Kiwanda beach. Such a nice place, so just sat on a log and enjoyed. There were lots of people bringing long, thin, narrow kayaks, or the short, stubby kind. The long ones entered the water, and disappeared out of view, but the short stubby one just used his kayak to surf the waves. Fun to watch.
We spent the rest of the day heading south along the Three Cape Scenic Byway, ending up in the city of Newport, Oregon. This route pretty much followed US-101, and had quite a few scenic waypoints (places along the road to pull over and see the view--some large areas, and some very small). I'll just list out the stops.
Winema Wayfinding overview. Just a pull out that overlooked Daley lake and then the ocean. Nice view.
Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint. This was just amazing. Probably due to the recent storms, as well as the shape of the ocean floor here, but the ocean was just constantly boiling, and agitating. And the waves would break far out in the ocean, straight upward - but not in the same place, or all the time. The waves would crash onto the rocky shoreline. It was fascinating to watch.
DePoe Bay beach and town - we stopped and had lunch in this rather tourist, marina town. The restaurant overlooked the very rocky shore and inlet marina. Right across the street was the town ocean overlook. Really neat water breaking onto the rocks, splashing high onto the walkway. Really black, basalt rocks. The water was very choppy and rough, even as it led into their small, narrow inlet marina.
Rocky Creek Scenic Viewpoint . This one was delightful. It was actually a small park, with a trail along the cliff side over to a viewing platform, overlooking a protected cove, with caves etched into the walls of the cove. There was a bench, set right in front of a small cove, with ocean waves crashing. Just sitting there was delightful. Then, back at the main overlook, was rocky outcroppings with lots of birds hanging out.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse and State Recreation Site. This was a national park, and had an interpretive center with videos of the history and building of the lighthouse, back in the late 1800's. This too was automated, and we actually saw the lighthouse blinking on and off, later in the evening. We walked over the lighthouse, and then down to Cobble Beach. This was the highlight of the day!! Due to the Basalt type of rock, and the crashing of the water at high tide, the rocks were all super smooth and super rounded. One side of the beach had large, round stones and when the water cascaded over the rocks, flowing back out into the ocean, it made a loud musical sound - like water flowing over marbles. It made me laugh out loud with delight. Then, as you walked down the beach, the rocks got a little smaller, and the musical sound of the waves became a bit higher in pitch. Walking further down the beach, the rocks were almost marble-sized and the muscial sound was light and tinklely. I loved this rocky beach!
Then we drove to the Cove at the Yaquina Park. I walked down to the little cove, and actually saw two river otters.
Newport City. Our last stop was in the city of Newport. This was the highlight for Peter. We went to the end of US-20. This highway starts in Kenmore Square and ends up right here in Newport City. See the sign that Begin East US-20. Also, see the sign that says Boston 3,365 miles. We followed this road a little further, over to the Park Beach, and watched the sun going down.
Incredible day!

Cape Kiwanda beach photos: