Cape Perpetua, Day One

Well I had planned to compose a much different blog post than what you're now seeing.  Last Monday I was about 3/4 done writing a large story about the trip in this title, when I hit a wrong key on my laptop and the entire thing disappeared.  Photos, captions, writing - poof - totally gone....

I was so upset by the loss of 3 hours of work that I just closed my computer and walked away, deciding I'd recreate the entire thing the next day.  Later that night I began to get extremely ill.  Without going into the details (you really don't want to know), I went back to urgent care once again the following morning.  After spending another extremely uncomfortable day and night tests finally diagnosed an infection in my lower GI tract - apparently an occasional side effect when completing a treatment of high-dose antibiotics.

So this has effectively delayed my return to Portland.  And I'm back on antibiotics - ugh - once again.  Today is the first day I've actually had energy to do something besides lay in bed.

Lots of waves and tidepools

So that's what's been happening in my world this week.  Fun times!  Oh well, on to my recreated blog post, 2nd time around..... 

Early last May I made a trip to one of my favorite places on the Oregon coast – the amazing Cape Perpetua.

Close up water action

A large, forested headland south of the charming town of Yachats, Cape Perpetua’s basalt cliffs tower 800 feet above the ocean.  The cliffs meet an unusually rocky shoreline where erosion has carved out several interesting features; Thor’s Well, Spouting Horn, and Devils Churn.  Visitors are treated to displays of amazing natural phenomenon – tidepools, spectacular crashing waves, unique rock formations, spouting horns shooting water high into the air, unusual flora and fauna, ancient old growth forests, and stunningly beautiful scenery.

Wild waves near Devils Churn

Naturally this area is a photographer's dream, with many images from this rugged coastline showing up in numerous photography websites and Facebook pages.  One of the most oft-photographed features is a round blowhole near the shoreline named "Thor's Well."

Huge wave rising from Thor's Well

During high tides waves not only crash the rocky shoreline adjacent to this blowhole, water also squeezes up through its opening, sometimes creating large, impressive splashes.  And if captured correctly, the rivulets of receding water flowing back down the sides of Thor's Well create some spectacular images.

Some brave (or foolish) photographers

To get the really amazing images requires a bit of daring.  Cape Perpetua parking area is located high on a the bluff overlooking the ocean.  A steep path leads down to water level, also providing a few safe viewpoints above the rocky shoreline shelf.  However, most photographers chose to walk out onto the slippery rocks and position themselves as close to the blowhole opening as possible.  See the above photo?  Those are the brave (or foolish, depending upon your point of view) photographers I captured from high above my safe perch.  Yes, I chose to set up on one of the high viewpoints.  Since I was by myself, there was no way I was risking my life going down there!

That's why I wasn't down there!

As you can see there's always the chance of a rogue wave sweeping some unfortunate soul out to sea (as matter of fact, a few mishaps do occur every year).  Luckily, nobody was harmed the night I was there.  After a half hour, one of the young men I'd been watching (and photographing) made his way up to where I was standing.  Both the man and his camera gear had been totally drenched with seawater.  The guy stuck up a conversation, saying he hoped he hadn't ruined his camera.  When I mentioned I'd captured a few images of him standing next to Thor's Well, the man gave me his email address and asked if I'd share them.

Lovely backlit waves

While waiting for the sun to set, the man and I struck up a great conversation about photography.  He was traveling north from California and had planned to hit up all the waterfalls he could in Oregon.  We traded Instagram accounts - he had some amazing images on his page.  It's always fun to talk to fellow photographers.  I learn so much from others!

It was fun photographing the waves

Although the light along the shoreline wasn't the best for photography, it did illuminate crashing waves, giving me something to capture while waiting for sunset.

One of the bigger splashes

Finally that big yellow orb began it's descent to the horizon.

Sun starting to set

I was hoping for some clouds to make the sky interesting, but it was clear skies that night.  However, orange glows emanating from the setting sun weren't too shabby.

Day's last gasp

My new photography friend and I hung out until the sun had completely set and the last color faded from the sky.  Then, being the only people still there, we walked back to our vehicles and said our goodbyes.  I wished him a successful journey and gave him some tips for waterfalls around Portland.

Wonderful sky colors

My nighttime destination was a yurt at nearby Carl Washburne State Park.  I had booked two days and  was planning a return to Cape Perpetua the following morning, hopefully to capture sunrise and more wild wave action.  

I was originally going to combine my entire Cape Perpetua trip into one long blog post.  But since that one unfortunately got deleted, I'm now splitting this into two separate entries.  So you'll have to come back in a few days to see the rest of the story!