Moved a little further north today into another area of the coast and to get a tad closer to Salem OR, where I am headed on Saturday. I was able to visit three (3) different lighthouses today. One of these on my way north, and the other two within ten minutes of my camp at South Beach SP. Could not get a two-night stay, so I am here for at least one night, and may have to move within the park, or to someplace else tomorrow.
The Heceta Head Lighthouse was on my way north, so took the opportunity to stop in on my way through. The first view you get as you come north is as you come around the side of the mountain overlooking the ocean. The view is spectacular and there is a turn off on the other side of the road. Unfortunately it was a pretty popular place to be, and I was dragging the trailer, so there just was not enough room. Right after this turnoff, you drop down a little elevation and come to a short tunnel through the side of the hill which immediately drops you on to a beautiful steel bridge. Then once you have crossed the bridge you make an immediate exit to get to the lighthouse park.
The parking area was not very busy when I arrived, so I parked at the far end. By the time I was ready to leave, the lot was at capacity and folks were turning around and leaving without taking the walk up the bluff. That is unfortunate because this is one of the most picturesque of all of the lighthouse locations that I have seen thus far.
The walk to the lighthouse is about a 1/2 mile, all uphill, but not at all difficult. And the view was well worth the walk as you can see by the photos.
I dropped the camper off at South Beach SP, and immediately left for a little lunch and a tour of two more lighthouses that are both within about 5 miles of the campground.
First stop was at the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse in Newport OR. This lighthouse was in use for a very short period when it was replaced by a taller, and brighter lighthouse just a few miles to the north. They have photos of the structure in total disrepair and the resurrection is just amazing. Due to the location of this lighthouse, and the amount of foliage immediately adjacent to the building, it was tough to get some good photos. I had to stand on my head a couple of times, but the results were worth it.
The bridge is of course the Yaquina Bay Bridge. Due to the rugged nature of the Oregon coast, there are several bridges of similar design along the way. Had I known before I had gotten this far; I would have been stopping to take ‘Bridge’ pictures as well as lighthouses. Each one is quite unique, stunning to see and in some of the most spectacular scenic areas of the coast. Would have made an excellent photo essay.
Note the flag on the right in the photo below. I managed to find another unusual US Flag. This one with 37 stars. This flag is being displayed as it was the US Flag in use at the time that the lighthouse went into operation for the very first time.
The final stop for today was the Yaquina Head lighthouse, which is located in a park managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This lighthouse made the Yaquina Bay lighthouse obsolete. It is also the tallest and among the brightest of Oregon’s nine lighthouses. Thanks to the First Order Fresnel Lens it could beam out about 22 miles into the Pacific Ocean. What’s a Fresnel Lens?!? I am glad you asked . . . .
“invented by French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel. Originally developed for lighthouses, the design enables the construction of lenses of large aperture and short focal length without the weight and volume of material which would be required in conventional lens design.”
A first order lens is the most powerful, largest and most expensive of the Fresnel Lenses.
Lots of open land on the ‘Head’, so lots of good opportunities for pictures. Enjoy!!!
