The day was just gorgeous. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. I’m not exactly sure how far we walked, but it was probably about 3 miles. We headed towards the Yaquina Head lighthouse. This beautiful lighthouse has been in operation since 1873 and is the most visited lighthouse in Oregon. Everyone should visit the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. That title is no exaggeration.

I like this beach, because you can find fossils. They seem to be everywhere you look. There is something new to see with every step.

Tide pools are spread out along the beach making it very easy to walk around the rocks to see all the different sea life.

We are blessed that all of the beaches (383 miles) in Oregon are public land. This was established in 1913 when legislature declared the beaches from Washington to California a state highway. This saved the land from privatization and allowed communities to grow. Challenged in 1966 by a motel owner who started fencing the beach, Tom McCall advocated for and voters passed the landmark Beach Bill which keeps Oregon beaches open to the pubic still today. I am grateful for our progressive Oregon forefathers. Folk also had the foresight to buy public land along highway 101 when it was being built. Because of this, there are 36 state parks – an average of 1 every 10 miles – showcasing the extreme coastal beauty of our state. Oregon never ceases to amaze me.