The sea lions at Newport Harbor

With a week off from long distance driving in the middle of our cross country road trip, it’s an easy conclusion that Oregon is an incredibly beautiful state.

From Bend to Crater Lake to Eugene to the coast, there is scenic splendor galore.

Oregon’s leaders in the past have taken action not to despoil what nature bestowed.

With “urban boundaries” and unprecedented coastal protections, this iconic landscape still seems to stand much as it did when first explored.

A decision by an Oregon governor and the Oregon Legislature in 1913 declared the ocean shore public property. Then the 1967 Oregon Legislature passed the “Beach Bill” that created a public recreation easement across private dry sand areas.

Bend, despite its arid terrain, is blessed with several snow-capped peaks as well as scenic rivers.

The Williamette (Will A Met) River flows through Eugene, where there is a famous track and field coliseum and the University of Oregon. Amtrak service is available at Euene as well as a public bus ride to Florence on the coast.

A favorite tourist spot is Tillamook, where you can visit its renowned creamery and sample its cheeses and ice cream. Over 90 local dairy farms, in a cooperative, supply the huge milk supply used by Tillamook, whose products flow all the way to Chattanooga.

On the roadway to Tillamook, don’t miss the little known, but intriguing, Munson Falls. It’s just past the dahlia farm.

Outside of the state capital of Salem, Silver Falls has a trail of under five miles where you can view multiple waterfalls in a deep gorge.

Whale watching is one of the most popular pasttimes at the Oregon coast, along with trekking the many white sand beaches that are readily available. Your best bet for whales is in the vicinity of Depoe Bay, where there is a government whale watching station, with binoculars provided and knowlegeable rangers on hand. We saw whales at Depoe Bay, but many more at nearby Boiler Bay, which juts out into the Pacific.

There are seals basking on rocks to one side of the Depoe whale watching station.

For sea lions, the old port of Newport is the place. A rowdy colony of males spend 11 months of the year here, barking and biting at one another. In July they venture down to the females, who hole up on some California islands. The Newport sea lions can be seen (and definitely heard) on a specially built dock and a nearby rock outcropping at Old Newport.

While in Newport enjoy a delicious breakfast at The Chalet.

The most intriguing coastal town, in the opinion of Oregon specialist Helen Burns Sharp, is Yachats, a little beach town with extraordinary ocean views, steep conifer-dotted cliff backdrops, quaint shops and markets, and little cottages. A tiny state park preserves part of the famous view here.

Going on south, stop at Cape Perpetua, known for its rugged beauty and unique geological formations, including the Spouting Horn that will remind you of Old Faithful. There is a 26-mile trial system that includes the tidepools and old growth forest.

Crater Lake, far away from the coast, is known for its great depth and stunning blue water.

Next: Starting back toward Chattanooga with Zef and Min along a more northerly route, including Yellowstone and the Badlands.

Ocean view at Yachats