Wednesday, September 2nd ~ Southern Oregon Coast
Natural Bridges Viewpoint
In my humble opinion, there are not many places on this planet that are as beautiful as the Oregon Coast. I may be a little prejudiced, since I was born in Southern Oregon, but after traveling far and wide, I still get a little awed whenever I am fortunate enough to return here.
With a combination of large trees and beaches, looming cliffs, rocks and pounding surf, piled driftwood, gentle hiking trails, tidal pools to explore, shellfish to consume, and a comfortable climate, it offers up something for everyone.
Today our journey took us from just below the California to Oregon border along the 101 Highway through Brookings, Gold Beach and are overnighting in Bandon by the Sea.
Thunder Rock Cove
From Thunder Rock Cove Viewpoint
Arch Rock
Wild blackberries are abundant along the pathways
Beach at Port Orford
Cape Blanco Lighthouse (look through the top of the sign)
Cape Blanco Lighthouse
The lighthouse was already closed by the time we got there, so had to take a photo from far away. Hoping to get closer to another lighthouse in the next day or two.
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful that I am “home”. Having been born in Southern Oregon, I think I will always think of this state as “where I am from” even though I have lived in California now twice as long as I lived in Oregon. I wonder if other people feel this way. Will the place you were born always feel like “home” to you?
A Note From Abroad 
Beautiful post 😀
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In answer to your “what feels like home?” question Joanne — Southern Oregon will forever feel like home and be called that by me, even tho I was neither born there nor lived the majority of my life there. I lived there from 4th grade thru freshman year of college, just 9 years, but in my heart, soul and mind it feels like the only place I’ve truly “lived.” It helps too that those were my formative and indelibly etched growing up years. But even more, I’m sure, that in this case they were also years filled with great Southern Oregon friends, experiences, and geography.
Among them: Family trips to the coast and while there beachcombing , visiting Sea Lion Caves, lighthouses, hiking, and salmon fishing ; boy scout camp at Lake of the Woods; staying in cabins at Diamond Lake; trips to Crater Lake ; camping and fishing at several area lakes such as Willow Lake, Fish Lake and Howard Prairie; fishing and camping on the Rogue and Applegate Rivers; riding bikes all over the Rogue Valley to places such as Jacksonville, Table Rock, Lithia Park in Ashland, and nearby fishing holes; cruising the Medford gut on Friday and Saturday nights; the excitement of thousands in the stands for football games…and much more. And oh, the enduring spirit of being part of the Medford Senior High Black Tornado! I’m part of an alumni group in Portland that meets every month for lunch and probably always will.
I’ve just returned from my annual vacation/nostalgia trip to Southern Oregon with my teen daughter Angelina. She loves it there too, and it’s so great for me to be able to share my “back in the day” experiences and memories with her…Glad you’re back enjoying “home,” Joanne. Other Southern Oregon loves, anyone?
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Mike, a great summary of S. Oregon nostalgia. I’m glad you are able to share those special places/memories with your daughter.
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Well hello! What gorgeous photos! Love it. Since one of my most favorite places in the world is Mendocino I can relate. They look similar to me. I also love Southern Oregon. Keep those photos coming! You picked some lovely spots to highlight for sure. And those berries!
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The blackberries tasted great too 🙂 I will be posting more Oregon coast pictures soon. Got some good photo ops today but have not reviewed the pictures yet. Hoping I got some good ones.
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Thanks for liking my post about Oregon also dated 9/3, its a small world. Thanks for sharing your story.
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Home for me is Ireland – I have been longer away than I lived there now too, still it will always be home!!
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Ireland is another very special place. Lovely for you to call it home.
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Home for me, though I was raised in Oregon, is now Scotland. After 23 years my heart and family are here, and this is where I want to spend the rest of my days. Having said that, I will always be from Oregon and when your photos came up on my screen, they tugged at my heartstrings!
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I certainly can relate to home being where your family is. That is certainly where my heart always is.
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Certainly a lovely section of coast. Great photos.
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I don’t think we could have found an ugly patch along the Oregon coast if we had tried 🙂
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I have visited some of the Oregon Coast. Not certain how far south we were but it was beautiful and serene.
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So glad to hear you enjoyed it.
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Beautiful! I want to visit America and am planning for 2017. Thank you for visiting me in London and Europe!
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Candy, I’m so happy to see you want to visit America. We have a very large country with a great deal of diversity. I have lived here all my life, taken quite a few road trips plus flights and have still only seen a fraction of our places.
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Hello! The next time you’re in So Oregon, let me know!
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