“The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the skies announce what his hands have made”
Psalm 19:1
The forecast shows near 100 degree temps here in the Deep South…so to say it is hot is an understatement! And what better way to spend a summer day than at the beach or on a snow-capped mountain?! You all have been such troopers on our visits to various places while we were in Seattle…making stops at Pike Place Market, Chihuly Garden & Glass, and Butchart Gardens so far!
Today, we are continuing our trip down the coast…and as we travel you will see a little bit of a change of scenery. And today, our tour guide will be none other than The Renaissance Man, Butch. Let’s hop in the car and enjoy the ride…from sea to snow!
Driving south on Hwy 101 along Oregon’s north coast we found Ecola State Park to be an amazing detour that we were glad we chose. The road into the park meanders through Sitka Spruce and other lush greenery. This was our first stop. Not because this was a marked destination, but we were stopped in traffic. Yes, this is a popular place! If you are stopped for a few minutes in traffic and have this view there’s no complaining.
This view, of what is called sea stacks, awaited us at the end of the trail and the scenery from this vantage point was breathtaking in every direction!
Captain William Clark traveled through this area in 1806. This is a view from Indian Beach. Mr. Clark wrote
” ….the grandest and most pleasing prospects which my eyes ever surveyed…”
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Looking south toward Cannon Beach.
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Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach is a 235 foot sea stack.
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Quite impressive even from a distance. You can’t miss this big guy!
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Another look at Cannon Beach as we face north from another viewpoint.
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More gorgeous scenes as we continue south on 101 toward Tillamook.
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Famous for their cheese, this place was booming. Over one million visitors each year make this stop. And cheese is only one of many offerings!
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And what do you you eat at Tillamook but a grilled cheese! It was sooo … good.
Interstate 5 can get crowded but Mount Rainier can take your mind off driving if you’re not careful. For the record, the driver did not take this photo.
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Only a couple of hours from Seattle, we are closing in on the mountain as we enter the park.
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Inside the park near Chinook Pass.
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Mount Rainier at 14,410 feet. The mountain can be seen from Seattle on a clear day and as you stand by Puget Sound and view from sea level it is dominating.
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This happened to be the first day of summer. Not our typical summer day back home! Nice…
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According to a friendly and helpful park attendant, these meadows will be filled with wildflowers of all colors between mid-July and late August.
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*Park personnel were probably very glad this tree, which was right by the road, fell the other direction when it toppled.
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How about this view from your farmhouse window!
Thank you for taking a ride with us along the Oregon Coast and high into Washington’s Cascade Mountains! I hope it cooled you off from the summer heat!
Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, 21 Rosemary Lane, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined, Poofing The Pillows, What Meegan Makes, Celebrate & Decorate, McCall Manor
WOW! Beautiful pictures. And oh how I wish I had a tad of that snow here in good old Florida! Enjoy your day. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thanks Cindy…the snow photos make me feel a little cooler, at least! Happy Saturday!
I’d love to make this drive too. Such amazing sights and the way the climate changes is mind boggling. We’ve gone from Seattle to Kelowna, BC before and the same thing happened.
That grilled cheese looks delicious too. 🙂
Happy Thoughts of Home. Pinning.
Thanks, Stacey…the drive was beautiful! Happy Saturday!
Amazing pictures!
Thanks so much, Roberta!
I did feel cooler viewing your pictures. You were able to get great pics of Mt Rainier. It’s not always visible. The drive along the coast was beautiful. This had to be a peaceful renewal time to explore and enjoy God’s magnificence. So often in our routine environment we forget how awesome God and His creation is. Thanks for the visual reminder. I enjoyed the almost full moon this morning very early before the sun came up. So beautiful.
Bonnie, taking time to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation definitely renews my mind and frees the clutter! We had beautiful views for these couple of day trips!
What a beautiful tour! Thanks so much for taking us along. I have never been that way, but I definitely want to take a trip that direction after seeing your beautiful pictures! I hope that you have a wonderful day!!!
Shannon, thanks so much! Hopefully you will make to the Pacific Northwest…it is beautiful! Happy Saturday!
What beautiful photos Pam, and so refreshing to see the snow, I feel cooler already! Those photos of Mt Rainier are just breathtaking, I would have a hard time driving. Stay cool!
Jenna
Thanks Jenna…trying hard to stay cool! Have a wonderful weekend’
Enjoyed your cool pictures. We have a daughter that lives in Olympia Washington and get to see Mount Rainier when we visit. Also Pikes Place Market is a favorite place with its beautiful flowers, fresh fish market, and great coffee. And If you go in the fall the apples are delicious. Can’t get enough time of them. Keep up the good work as I love to travel through your pictures.
Thanks for traveling with us, Alice! We really enjoyed our trip to the Pacific Northwest, beautiful scenery! Have a wonderful weekend!
What an awesome detour, first of all, and then trip to Mt Rainier! We’ve traveled the portion of Rt 5 from LA up to San Francisco and then came back down the 101 to LA from there, but your trip is definitely on the bucket list. How fortunate you were to be able to tie all this in with your business trip. Love the snow – someplace else! – on the first day (or any day, for that matter) of summer. Thanks for the backseat tour. 🙂
Rita, we enjoyed you occupying the backseat! We have driven the CA coast and absolutely love it especially Big Sur and Monterey! But we were also impressed with the Oregon Coast and of course Mt Rainier is awesome!
Loved the tour Pam – just stunning.
Thanks, Joy! Beautiful scenery for sure!
Whew! You’re right about needing to cool off! I thought it was hot before…but NOW, I can’t stand to be outside for even 2 minutes. I so enjoyed the tour. We’ve never motorcycled in that area, but now I want to! Gorgeous!
Kim, you should motorcycle this area! You would love it! Yes, it is so hot!!
Beautiful…Oregon is on my bucket list!…..Thanks for the scenic drive!!!
I am glad you enjoyed, Shirley!
Such a beautiful tour and so scenic. I have been to Oregon once and it was gorgeous! I have never been to Washington, so i really appreciate your stunning photos. Just a heads up. I am featuring your Slice of Summer this coming Sunday at DI&DI.
Thanks so much Linda and I am so excited for the feature! Happy weekend, Pam
I’ve never heard the term, “sea stacks” before, but it’s such a great description! It looks funny to me to see rocks out in the water like that. Very exotic and rugged. But the grilled cheese I’m familiar with. My true love!
Leslie Anne, the large rocks are awesome, so different from our Gulf Coast! The grilled cheese was fabulous!
Altamente agradable!!! con el calor que hace en Madrid, se agradecen estos hermosos paisajes. Como nota informativa te diré que no me gusta el verano, me sienta mal, me asfixia… y casi me pone de mal humor. Mi tiempo favorito es el otoño y el invierno, así que has de saber que he disfrutado con este viaje por esas tierras impresionantes de América.
Gracias por mostrar tan hermosos viajes.
Dolores
Highly enjoyable !!! with hot weather in Madrid, these beautiful landscapes are appreciated. As information note I will say that I do not like the summer, I feel bad, choking me … and almost puts me in a bad mood. My favorite time is fall and winter, so you know I’ve enjoyed this journey through these breathtaking land of America.
Thank you for showing so beautiful trips.
Dolores
Dolores más querido, gracias por sus palabras siempre amables! Tengo asma que realmente actúa en el calor y la humedad extrema. Oraciones continúan por Antonio! Bendiciones mi amigo, Pam
Dearest Dolores, thank you for your always kind words! I have asthma that really acts up in the extreme heat and humidity. Prayers continue for Antonio! Blessings my friend, Pam
I never get tired of looking at beautiful photography, especially when it is of mountains and beaches. Thank you for sharing with us Pam.
Thanks so much, Mary! The Pacific Northwest is certainly beautiful! Happy Sunday!
As I talk with friends and family enduring hot weather I am so happy to live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. This was a wonderful post with gorgeous pictures. I enjoyed reading it very much!
Lori, yes it is extremely hot in the Deep South…upper nineties and heat indexes of 104- 107! Thanks for stopping by!
Pam, you are so lucky to be traveling in the northwest right now because it is blazin’ hot in the south. Your photos are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your travels at Your Inspired Designs.
Thanks, Carol…but we are back home in the oppressive heat, but the Pacific Northwest was nice and cool!
Pam,
This is where I want to go. Gorgeous vacation spot. Thanks for sharing at Dishing it and DIgging it link party.
Thanks so much, I enjoy the opportunity to share! Happy Monday!
Thanks for the memories! My grandmother lived in Portland and I had several aunts and uncles with beach houses at Rockaway and Cannon Beach. I loved going to visit Oregon in the summer as a child.
The Oregon Coast is beautiful!
Breathtaking pictures, thank you!
Thank you, Sandra! Hope you are having a good week!
Love those sea-stacks! What a beautiful tour with gorgeous photos! That’s a region of the country I haven’t visited yet! Thanks so much for sharing at the July – Take Me Away Party! Have a great weekend!
Shelley
Shelley, I had never been until last year, it is beautiful!
Fabulous photos, Pam, such a beautiful area of our country.
Thanks so much, Carole!
I grew up in Oregon so these photos are nostalgic for me since I have not been back for 10 months and miss it so! Cannon Beach is my favorite beach along the Oregon Coast. You captured it beautifully!
Thank you so much Elena. Our visit was lovely and would love to go again.