Newport, Yaquina Lighthouse

Couldn't get into Oregon Coast Aquarium; they require reservations to manage occupant load, darn it. So we headed up the highway (after coffee stop at the Human Bean) to Yaquina lighthouse and headland. What a treat!

Beautiful site, in spite of really strong, cold wind. Visitors center and tide pools closed, but we spent a healthy hour watching some gray whales right beyond the rocky tide pool area. Lots of water spouts, then the long rolling back of the whale. Only to have them pop up in a slightly different spot 5 minutes later. They did not seem to be passing thru, because they were still there when we dragged ourselves away. But not before we finally got to see one tail flip out of the water! And we all saw it at the same time!

Not only did we need to move on to see some more coast but it was also really windy, "blow your hat off of you were not holding it" windy! Sometimes you really felt like you had to lean into the wind just to hold your spot. Despite the wind it was a great stop!Read more