Cape Arago

At the entrance to the Shore Acres State Park

This and the next many shots were taken heading north on the Oregon Coast Trail between Shore Acres State Park and the beach at Sunset Bay State Park. It's roughly a two mile (round trip) hike.

The off shore rock formations at this part of Oregon's coast are of particular interest. Among them are concretions (such as the black ball-shaped rocks) that have gained the curiousity of scientists all over the world. Also one can see a good example of tafoni which is small cave-like indentations in such soft rocks as sandstone. Seen in various formations, there are several areas of the world where tafoni exist. Several pictures below show both the ball-shaped rocks and the tafoni. From the Shore Acres observation building, walk the path to the right (north) and you'll soon begin to see these fascinating rock formations.

The ocean waves shot in slow motion betray the power of the water as they crash, then flow seemingly gently over the rocks.

At the entrance to the Shore Acres Botanical Gardens that once belonged to timber baron Louis Simpson.

Among the roses in the rose section of the botanical garden is this one called Love & Peace...

...and this one called Rainbow Sorbet.

All that is left of Simpson's estate are the gardens and this cottage.

An observation building now stands on the site of Simpson's mansions. In 1921, his first mansion was destroyed by fire. He rebuilt an even larger one, but then came the Great Depression and he lost it due to financial hardship. Both the house and grounds fell to disrepair, but in 1942 the land was purchased by the state of Oregon.

Simpson's loss became the public's gain. Thanks to the state of Oregon, the land is now open for public use so that scenes like this can be enjoyed by all. This shot was taken at Simpson Reef, looking south.

In 1932, Simpson donated Cape Arago to the state. It included the southern most headland along the Cape Arago Highway. This large tract of land includes two coves - South Cove (pictured here) and North Cove.

Dahlias bloom August through mid-October.

Cape Arago State Park's North Cove is small and tucked away, but you can still hear the sea lions from the nearby Shell Island.

Shell Island and the smaller islands around it comprise the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. It is the largest collection of marine mammals on the Oregon coast.

Just south of the Shore Acres State Park entrance on the highway is a very small trail down to Norton Gulch, this small cove and beach. If the tide is in, the beach may not be accessible.

The trail, part of the Oregon Coast Trail, sometimes meanders inland through fragrant pine forests. This section is along the mile between Shore Acres State Park and Cape Arago State Park.

On the trail between Shore Acres and Cape Arago you cross a short foot bridge to this beach and cove. The rock formations along the side of the cliffs are unique, but common to the area.

The Cape Arago Lighthouse, seen from a viewpoint off the Cape Arago Highway

This weathered tree root looks to me like a silvery demon contorted in anger. Below it, as seen in the picture to the right, is a cavern made by the winds and waters as they gradually wear away the earth. Below, it won't be long before another tree succumbs to the forces of winter, proof that our earth is ever-changing.

At the north end of Battendorff Beach is the south jetty that separates the Coquille River from the Pacific. It's fun watching the waves crash against the jetty rocks.

Sunset Bay Beach (above and the next few shots)

Tree stumps weathered and covered in barnacles make excellent tide pools on Sunset Bay beach.

Between the Sunset Bay campground and its beach is a wonderful picnic area. A sign there marks the location where in the fall of 1973 Malcolm Forbes began his trans-continental hot-air ballon flight to Chesapeake Bay in Newport News, Virginia.

Though not part of the trio of state parks on the Cape Arago Highway, Bastendorff County Park Beach is not to be ignored. Two miles long, it offers a deep beach, dunes, and a campground. The remainder of pix were taken there.

Yoakum Head flanks the south side of Bastendorff Beach.