June 5th, Cape Lookout SP, OR

After consulting with one of the State Park Rangers about the Cape (Lookout) Trail we went to Cape Meares with hopes the fog would clear on the trail. Cape Meares was clear when we arrived but by the time we had seen most of it the fog was moving in.











Three Arch Rocks are offshore to the southwest.



Nesting gulls on the cliffs on the north side of the cape.





Apparently there was some controversy that the lighthouse was built on the wrong cape. Many felt that it should have been built on Cape Lookout. A search of the records indicates that both were considered but Meares was chosen because the light pattern would be better in the fog due to its lower elevation. In addition, it was closer to Tillamook and there was a large spring that supplied water for construction. It is one of the shortest lighthouses on the Oregon Coast.

Cape Meares Lighthouse and vegetation on the south side.









View south to Oceanside.



When we returned to Cape Lookout it was still foggy. We decided to have lunch and walk the nature trail near the campground and then take a stroll on the beach.



There have been several trees on the coast that have grown on old stumps with their roots extending down over the stump like the tentacles of an octopus; thus they are called the octopus trees.



The forest floor was covered with lush vegetation.



This is a case of natural grafting; the roots of two trees have grown together.



A number of trees had what are called "Fern Balls". Part way up spruce trees a group of ferns have taken root.





Next we hit the beach and as you can see the fog on the cape was still there. We will walk the 5 mile round trip trail tomorrow fog or not.



I think this is Linda's way of saying in the sand she had enough beach this afternoon.



With the weather we 've had up to now on this trip we certainly can't complain about a little fog today.