Newberry Volcano National Monument

We were having trouble with the driver's side window that would get stuck in the down position. We have had this problem before and took it to the Ford garage and paid to have it fixed. He wasn't crazy about paying $400 to have it fixed again, went online to youtube and found a fix. If it didn't work, he would take it in. He fixed it. Hurray!

The Big Obsidian Flow formed 1300 years ago is Oregon's youngest lava flow.

Obsidian is very sharp on the edges and was used by the Native Americans for weapons by making arrowheads,spearheads, knives and jewelry.

 

 

There are few places in the continental United States where you can walk in a landscape so utterly foreign. The Big Obsidian Flow is a patch of black and grey volcanic glass covering about 4 square miles of the Newberry Crater floor. We saw everything from the classic jet-black glass suited for Native American tools to frothy grey glass that looks more like a stone sponge than an arrowhead.

It was amazing walking through the lava flow but had to watch where we were putting our feet. The black shiny obsidian was hot from the sun with sharp edges.

As we walked the trail, at the top was a treat with a great view of Lost Lake in the crater and mountains in the background.

Paulina Falls falls 80 feet with twin falls was just a short walk to the overlook but 1/4 mile down to the bottom for a different view.

Paulina Falls spills over the lowest point of Newberry Caldera.

 

After walking around the Big Obsidian Flow and Paulina Falls, we headed over to the lava tube cave for the 1 mile walk into the cave.

The Lava River Cave formed about 80,000 years ago was like entering another world. It is Oregon's longest lava cave extending almost 1 mile.The forest service job did a great job of making the cave very walkable. We walked down 55 steps into darkness requiring our headlamps. Lamps were available at the trailhead for $5 but our headlamps worked just fine keeping our hands free. At times we felt like we were in the belly of a whale with the striations along the walks of the cave.

We made it to the end. It was interesting to spend the time walking a mile underground and listening to the quiet and dark. We took along extra flashlights in case the headlamp's batteries ran out.

There were just a few bats in the cave. With almost 400 caves in Oregon, I bet they found a quieter place tosleep during the day without people walking through.

Oregon has many covered bridges that we will have to return and see. This one is difficult to see though the window as I took the picture.



 

It had been over a month since we had last gotten our mail and had it sent general delivery to the Sunriver post office minus the junk mail. We got a few bills and a Father's Day card with a nice gift card which we promptly used.

Sweet Creek Trail and waterfalls

 After being "out of touch" (very limited internet when we could use our hotspot and no TV) for 2 weeks, it was nice to wake up and watch "Sunday Morning" on CBS. We don't watch much TV but that is one we enjoy. Where we are staying now has great WIFI which gave me a little time to catch up on some of our blog. We only buy 6 gigs of data and downloading photos would take that in no time. When we would get to a high spot on a hike, I would find a G or two and be able to make sure everyone at home was ok. That's the only concern I have when we are out of touch.

Oregon has plenty of waterfalls to be found. The Sweetwater Trail was a 25 mile drive along the Siuslaw River through some winding roads with plenty of hairpin curves. The hike along the creek was only 3/4 mile until it went straight up the mountain but gave us some beautiful sights with so many bird sounds that were unfamiliar. Hiking in the lush trees reminded us of our time in Costa Rica, only cooler. There were plenty of options for longer hikes. Can't beat lunch with a view.

Oregon has really taken the Monarch Butterflies plight personal and is investing in their habitat by planting milkweed and other flowers for them. We saw plenty of caterpillars on the path along with a few snails. That was the extent of our wildlife sightings.

Darlingtonia State Natural Site is the only Oregon state park property dedicated to the protection of a single plant species. The plants it protects are the only carnivorous flora in the system.

This 18-acre botanical park provides parking and a boardwalk trail out into a fen that is home to Darlingtonia californica. Also called a cobra lily, the rare, strangely-shaped plant is the only member of the pitcher plant family in Oregon. We had to stop and check it out.

The resort we are staying at has a nice unlevel pickleball court that we got a chance to play a couple of games on. It had been a while since we had our paddles out and felt pretty good. We weren't even that bad but that also depends on who we are comparing ourselves to.

Heceta Lighthouse and Florence, Oregon

Driving north on I-5 we repeatedly climbed at least 3 summits in 30 minutes and then went back down to climb the next. Turning towards the coast had us on some winding roads. It takes hardy drivers on these roads. Leaving the warm temps inland and heading to the coast made us rethink our apparel and pulled out the jackets. The wind blows so hard at time along the rugged coast that many of the trees grow leaning towards the inland.

 

Lighthouse keeper's home is now a B&B with rates in the $200-400 range per night including a 7 course breakfast. It was nice to stroll by and see the visitors.

We took a drive 12 miles up Highway 1 along the ocean to Heceta Lighthouse which was quite winding and beautiful. Once we hiked up to the lighthouse, we listened to one of the volunteers give us a tour and explain about the different light patterns of each of the lighthouses along the coast. They have different patterns of blinking so sailors could know which part of the coast they were if it was foggy. We hiked along the Oregon Coastal Trail through a heavily wooded area lined with plenty of berry bushes until we heard a thunk. Bears had been sighted in the area and I voted to end the hike.

 

 

The Siuslaw River flows 110 miles through Oregon and joins the Pacific Ocean just beyond the town of Florence.

We have been staying in Thousand Trails Resorts some of the time. They seem to be getting better as we travel north. Here at South Jetty Resort, we are nestled in the moss covered redwoods with the Oregon Dunes just up the road.

As we walked along the Oregon Dunes, two cyclist were carrying their bikes over the dunes to place their rear wheels in the ocean after riding the northern route across the US from Boston Harbor over 55 days. One of the cyclist said climbing the sand dunes carrying bike was harder than any of the ride they had done.

The four wheelers on the dunes looked like a good time.

Walking up the Siuslaw River near where it enters the Pacific Ocean we found some jellyfish during high tide.

Old Town Florence

 I seem to be having bathroom issues. While walking around Florence, I stopped at a porta pot along the road. I thought I locked it but a gust of wind came up and blew the door open as a car pulled up in front and parked. I waved as I shut the door and gave them a little time to be on their way. No wonder my kids were mortified when they had to go places with me when they were young.