Ocean to Bay Trail

We looked at homes in Newport last summer and had them down on our list for this summer.  One place really interested us was Pacific Homes Beach Club.  It was a 55+ manufactured home community.  This trail goes by it.   One way can walk to Walmart, the library and the beach, the other way on a really nice trail. 



Has a tunnel under Highway 101.  Can see the stairs on the other side that go up to the 55 plus community and on the right is the trail. 

The trail is nice and wide with gravel. 

Has a few signs to read along the way.  Most like this one that needs a cleaning.

Just a scenery photo. 

Was amazed on the amount of boardwalk. 

Creek that ran through.

And yes, more boardwalk.

They call it Forest park, but it is still part of the Ocean to Bay Trail.  Although google maps calls it Big Creek Park.

More of a close up.  Can click on it to make it bigger.  Where the trail ends, near by are pickle ball courts.  A game JoAnn enjoys playing.  The courts are located in Frank V Wade Memorial Park. Pickle ball is another reason for looking for a home in Newport.  We took the road and some of the trail back to our car.

Again the photo doesn't show the incline.  It is also gravel.

JoAnn up ahead of me.  What I get for stopping and looking around.

Graffiti on the water tanks.  We figure it's Martin Luther King. Jr. 

We think this is Godzilla.

Michelangelo of the teenage mutant ninja turtles.

Also saw this sign on a bulletin board.  Welcome in Newport and the county.  Nice to see.  

Back to the car.  We parked at Agate Beach State Recreation Site.

South Fogerty Park

Most people use the parking lot to go to the beach.  We went the opposite direction and went to the woods for a hike. 

Doesn't look it in the photo but was a 7 plus percent incline for about 20 minutes, then leveled off to a less incline the rest of the hike. 

JoAnn called this a Hobbit's home.  If you read the book or saw the movie Lord of the Rings you know what it means. 

Trees all around.

Logging.

Cairn.  Stands about 15 inches tall. 

Another view.

Soaking in the green.

Back before chainsaws, men cut slots in the trees with an ax to be able to put a plank in the climb up to cut the tree down.  

Lots of flowers.

View of the ocean.  JoAnn said would be a great place to build a house here. 

Plant lots of flowers like these.

Never seen white foxglove flowers before.  Only the purple ones.

JoAnn going off trail again.

Nice view.  That is Lincoln City and Cascade Head.

Cascade Head and a cloud bank in the background.

Black eyed peas?

Flowers in the trail.  Plan to hike this trail again.

World's Smallest Harbor

World's Smallest Harbor. The "World's Smallest Navigable Harbor" covers only six square acres.

Fishing boat.

USCG doing training, going through the channel from the "World's Smallest Harbor" to the Pacific Ocean. 

Coming back in.

Turning around and went back out.

Highway 101 bridge.  The concrete arch bridge with a 150 foot main span and a total length of 312 feet.

Seals out on the rocks.

USCG in training.  One USCG boat towing another USCG boat.

Coming in.  Think about it, if it was a stormy day or night.

Into the 50 foot wide channel.

Didn't bother the seals on the rocks. 

Under the bridge. 

Another day walked by on Highway 101 bridge.  This is where the USGC boats are docked.  One was out.  So far we have only seen three, but looks like there is room for four. 

Since one of the USGC boats was where we could look at it, we walked down to check it out. 

The 47 foot boat is designed as a first response rescue resource for in high seas, surf and heavy weather environments. They are built to withstand the most severe conditions at sea and are capable of effecting a rescue at sea even under the most difficult circumstances. They are self-bailing, self-righting, almost unsinkable, and have a long cruising radius for their size.

Parked in front of the USCG office.  Owner has a great sense of humor.