Heading Home from Newport, Oregon

Our nine days in Newport had been wonderful. We splurged and ate three lunches out and enjoyed every meal. The weather had been great and the walks even better.

Time to pack for home

The Safari performed great despite my fears that something would go wrong because of all of my DIY maintenance projects that were getting road-tested for the first time.  Some of those projects included:

• oil and filter change
• fuel filter change
• all new belts
• new belt idler pulley
• new custom exhaust tailpipe
• dropped and reinstalled generator after having rotor rewound
• all new generator exhaust system
• pressure washed twenty-one years of grime off the engine and engine bay
• repainted the engine
• repaired shore power cord because a wire had become loose in the motorhome end
• greased chassis
• installed new wiper blades
• installed new CO detector (replaced original 21 year old unit)
• lubricated the Pacbrake exhaust brake
• installed Wi-Fi antenna
• installed Weboost mobile phone antenna

I squeezed in one more morning walk before we headed out.  It was another great day in Newport, and I wished we were able to stay longer, but other commitments were beckoning us back home.  Late September to mid-October can be a wonderful time on the Oregon coast.

Live well, Laugh often, Love much

Yaquina Head Lighthouse and Tide Pools

Like many, we are attracted to lighthouses. From the headlands, you are offered an amazing view both north and south.

Looking north 

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Beautiful details

Looking south

One of the treats this time to the lighthouse is that our visit aligned with low tide at Cobble Beach.  Want makes this time especially exciting is the opportunity it presents to explore the tide pools.

Cobble Beach

The National Park Service marks off-limit areas with yellow signs

Laura enjoying the tide pools

Purple sea urchins

A starfish

Dale enjoying Cobble Beach near Yaquina Head Lighthouse

There Be Whales

Whale watching at Depoe Bay had been wonderful, but at Yaquina Head Lighthouse it was spectacular.  Not only were the whales feeding just off of Cobble Beach, but the stairs and platforms leading to the beach provided excellent vantage points to view them from.

Whale spout off Cobble Beach

Two sightings

Laura from one of the platforms overlooking the beach

 The on the south side of Yaquina Head and just east of Quarry Cove is an outcrop of rocks that was alive with a whales feeding off the bottom.  Because of our elevated position near the parking lot, we could actually see the whales under the water.

Looking south to Agate Beach

Flippers to Tail

Whale Spout

Two whales

Live well, Laugh often, Love much

Farmers Market - Newport, Oregon

Locally sourced ingredients are featured in many of our home cooked meals when on the road. We were lucky enough to experience the Newport Farmers Market outdoors on a sunny day just before their scheduled move indoors for the winter months.

Nice to be out in the sun on a comfortable Fall day

The market has a nice mix of produce, meats, and artist wares

The produce looked great

This organic produce stall was incredible from the variety and quality of the presentation

Hard not to buy

I haven't got a clue what Laura picked up

Laura cooking dinner

Live well, Laugh often, Love much

Nye Beach

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean is the Newport neighborhood of Nye Beach. Known for its restaurants, eclectic shops, and artists, Nye Beach has a welcoming feel that beckons you to explore the streets or take a walk on the beach.

Don't miss Nye Beach when you visit Newport

Parts of Nye Beach have a "New Urbanism" feel with housing and
commercial use blended together in a walkable neighborhood 

Beach Access

Laura with Yaquina Head Lighthouse in the background

The shops of Nye Beach

A fun Irish shop to visit, we seem to always leave with something

Flowers and gardens are common in Nye Beach

The Benches of Nye Beach

Perhaps owing to its community of artists, not even the park benches sprinkled about the neighborhood are ordinary.

Live well, Laugh often, Love much

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

Overlooking the channel to Newport is Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and state park. With access to the beach, picnic tables, and great perches to look down at the channel and the beach, it is a nice spot to stop if only to enjoy the views.

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

Laura enjoying the day out

Dale takes a break from behind the camera

Marine research vessels frequent the port

Live well, Laugh often, Love much