The next major point on our trip down Hwy 101 is the city of Newport. But like always, before we reach it, there are a few stops, which we need to make to enjoy the views and/or visit a historic place. Especially so, that after Lincoln City the coast changes from endless sand beaches to craggy rocks and little coves, becoming significantly more rugged and dramatic. We will be stopping at some of these coves. The first two are called Boiler Bay and Depoe Bay – hence the name of this gallery.
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The first bay on our way, just 10 miles from Lincoln City, is Boiler Bay. Well, this here is not the bay. It′s a viewpoint from where you look at the bay. The viewpoint is occupying a headland called Government Point.And this is the bay. In 1910, there was a shipwreck here. A freighter called J. Marhoffer ran aground and exploded. The debris were strewn all over the bay, and were later swept away by the ocean. The only thing that wasn′t washed away was a boiler (the apparatus which gave steamships their power). It is still there somewhere, and it can even be seen in a very low tide. This is how the bay got its current name. Before, it was called Brigg′s Landing. So, you can say, J. Marhoffer didn′t exactly stick the landing.Don′t try to look for that boiler in these pics - it was nowhere to be seen when I was there. I guess the tide was not low enough at that moment.But that shouldn′t prevent you from enjoying the rugged beauty of the Boiler Bay coastline.Here, we are looking south, the opposite way from Boiler Bay, while still standing on Government Point.Now looking straight ahead, towards the island of Iturup in the Greater Kuril Archipelago next to Japan, because that is what is straight ahead from here. A pod of seals going someplace very determinedly .The next little bay where we stop is called Depoe Bay, 2 km south from Boiler Bay.That mist above the water is not really an unfortunate happenstance. This is what this bay looks like almost always. For whatever meteorological reason, this area is always shrouded in a cloud of mist, which makes this little town the coldest place on the Oregon Coast. At the hottest time of the year it usually doesn′t get warmer than 20 degrees centigrade. But that cooling mist becomes a warming comforter in winter. Since Depoe Bay is essentially enveloped in its own microclimate, the temperatures never drop below zero too. So, there you have it - cool in the summer, warm in the winter. A win-win in my opinion.Plus those very picturesque volcanic rocks lining the coast and giving life to all sorts of lichens, mosses, and whatnot.And some picturesque shrubbery too.And even that is not all the Depoe Bay has to offer. As you can see, it claims to be the world′s smallest navigable harbour still in use.That′s the harbour′s entrance from the ocean.[Just me playing with Photoshop here. Hang on.]And here′s the world′s smallest harbour itself. I don′t know... It′s not big, sure, but I think I saw harbours at least as small in Norway and Greece.Depoe Bay bridge, one of 13 bridges that line Oregon Coast, allowing Hwy 101 to go over rivers, creeks, little bays and other aquatic obstacles. All those bridges are the creation of one man - Conde B. McCullough, who was Oregon State bridge engineer from 1919 to 1935, during the years when the Oregon Coast Highway was constructed.McCullough bridges are not only engineeringly solid and practical, but they are also graceful and elegant, complimenting the landscape they are bult into.That′s why his bridges have become tourist attractions on their own, adding to the already extensive sightseeing agenda of Oregon Coast.This specific bridge was originally built in 1927. In 1940, due to increased traffic, they had to replace it with an identical, but bigger bridge.As you can see, you can actually go under the bridge, and admire the intricate construction of its piers (the columns that support a bridge) from underneath. And an accidental seagull to boot.I did go under the bridge. So you will have to suffer through all these images now. 😊It′s the same seagull, sitting in the same spot, by the way.And before we leave Depoe Bay, let′s take a look at the stele in memory of two fishermen, who died at sea in an attempt to aid a fellow fisherman. Press ESC to exit
