Cape Disappoinment Lighthouse

Cape Disappointment, Washington ~

March 28, 2004

A few days ago I showed one of the views from the railing next to the lighthouse. Here is the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse itself. This is not to be confused with North Head Lighthouse, which is only a couple of miles to the right around the cape. The short trail to today's lighthouse takes you past the incomparable Deadman's Cove.

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Cows on the Long Beach Peninsula

Long Beach Peninsula, Washington ~ October 30, 2001

I encountered these cows, steer, heifers, or whatever on the Long Beach Peninsula in Washington shortly after I moooooved to Astoria from Colorado. Not that there were no cows in Colorado - there were plenty - but they didn't live in drippy rainforests. I found the mossy, licheny environment very enchanting and somewhat peculiar, as this scene is a scant couple of miles (if that) from the ocean. It was nice to see some friendly faces, and amusing to think that these bovines rated a home of their own, even though they didn't seem to take care of it very well.

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Neahkahnie Mountain from Cape Falcon

Oswald West State Park, Oregon ~ February 2006

The other day I showed a photo from the top of Neahkanhie Mountain. Here is the mountain from another point: Cape Falcon.

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Last Thanksgiving

Near Ilwaco, Washington ~ November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving Day

After a walk in the rain along the River Walk, we drove to Seaview, Washington, for an incredible dinner at the Shelburne Inn. I took this photo of crab pots on a trailer nearing Ilwaco on the way to Seaview. This year? I worked, but it was mostly fun. Maybe I'll take some time off tomorrow.

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Big Trees on the Trail

Fort Columbia, Washington ~ November 6, 2004

Across the river and west a few miles from Astoria is Fort Columbia, and behind the fort buildings are several hiking trails, at least one of them going up rather steeply among fallen trees.

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Young's River Falls

Young's River Falls ~ October 12, 2003

This impressive waterfall is not that far from the city of Astoria. I should go back sometime with my better camera.

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"Please DO NOT Touch Or Climb On Cows"

Tillamook, Oregon ~ March 11, 2006

Tillamook Visitors' Center

This post is especially for someone who likes Tillamook cheese and yogurt, but what most people like to sample when they come here is the ICE CREAM. And don't forget the Fudge Counter. It takes about an hour and a half to drive from Astoria to Tillamook if you don't stop, but the drive is along Oregon's amazing coastline, so most people want to stop and take lots of photos along the way, or at least look at the scenery. Once to you get to Tillamook, here are a few things you'll see on a visit to Dairy Heaven. First, the sign over the entrance.

Then the side of the building. I see that some people are enjoying the sun after filling up on cold dairy products.

Upstairs, there are viewing windows on both sides of a hallway. You can't miss the big milk cartons that look like cows, but also note that there's a country-style mini table with dairy products. If I remember after all these years, it's only for display. Darn.

Through tinted windows you can see lots of cheese and processing equipment . . .

. . . along with guys in shower caps.

And more processing equipment. It's pretty cool looking.

Except for the taste-testing, here is my favorite part. Fake cows. The green sign in front is where I got the title for the post.

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A View from Neahkahnie Mountain

Neahkahnie Mountain, Oregon ~ December 18, 2004

Looking south from the top

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The Harbor at Hammond

Hammond/Warrenton, Oregon ~ August 14, 2006

Weekend Reflections

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"Terrible Tillie," Tillamook Rock Light, or Desolation Row

Tillamook Head Trail, Oregon ~ June 27, 2009

You can see Tillamook Head Lighthouse, or Tillamook Rock Light from several places along the Tillamook Head trail. It helps to have binoculars, or in this case, a camera with a zoom.

"Terrible Tillie" was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1881 as a lighthouse. In 1980, it was purchased privately and turned into a columbarium (mausoleum). There were some problems with record-keeping and regulations, and after about 30 burials the license was revoked in 1999 and was not renewed on reapplication in 2005. You can read more via the link above.

Here is a view from farther south on the trail. Notice how the vegetation has changed due to the southern exposure.

What an amazing place this would be to watch a storm. The lighthouse was damaged over the years due to storms, including rocks thrown up by the waves and hitting the side of the building.

January 16, 2012: I am revisiting this post today to take part in Taphophile Tragics. Please take a look!

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