Haul-out at Simpson Reef

After spending the entire day, yesterday, in the Airstream listening to the pouring rain we decided to suit up in our rain gear and head out.

First stop was the Yaquina Head Lighthouse just down the road from Beverly Beach State Park.

There were lots of driftwood logs at the base of the Lighthouse.

The jetty that extends from the Lighthouse at Yaquina Head.

We then headed back up north where Sunset Bay is one of three adjacent state parks overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You can drive from one to the next, but we chose to hike a section of the Oregon Coast Trail that connects the second park, Shore Acres State Park, with the third park, Cape Arago. 

Passing through lush coastal forest, the narrow trail winds atop sandstone bluffs and occasionally dips down to the shore. This is the protected beach at Shore Acres State Park with some fine examples of up-thrusted sedimentary rocks.

Continuing on the trail to Cape Arago, we had dramatic bluff views at Simpson Reef and Shell Island. From this high perch we could watch sea lions, harbor seals and whales spouting just beyond the reef.

Harbor seals in the foreground with the larger sea lions above.  Together, Simpson Reef and Shell Island are one of the few places on the entire Oregon Coast where pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) haul out of the water to bask on the beach or adjacent rocks. They were making a cacophony of barking sounds that we could hear a mile away.

Back at Shore Acres State Park we visited the former estate of pioneer shipbuilder and lumberman, Louis J. Simpson, which was gifted to the State of Oregon along with its luxurious gardens. 

The last rose of summer?

The grounds are five acres of formal gardens including...

a Japanese-style garden built around a 100-foot lily pond. (Be sure to click on the picture to enlarge it to see the decorative cranes.)

The garden is being prepared for its annual "Holiday Lights at Shore Acres" event that runs from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve.

Like the pelicans!

We could also see lots of lights on the shrubs and trees.

One last view of the lily pond with rain drops.

Today's hike:

Length - 4.85 miles

Duration - 3 hours, 22 minutes (including lunch)

Elevation gain - 440 feet (45 floors on the Fitbit)