There she blows!!!

Day 14:

  There is nothing like sleeping by the ocean. The constant sound of the surf as it breaks upon the shore is magnificent. What I think I am trying to say, is that I slept well. *scooby-doo giggle* After packing up our campsite, we headed back north along the coast to a place that we heard was good for tide pools. That morning around 9:15 was low tide. We decided that would be a fun thing to see. At the beach, we ventured out in search of sea creatures. After walking through ankle-deep water, we walked along the coast to various rock groups.  We saw lots of starfish of several different colors clinging to the rocks and some cool sea anemones--I think. See, it's times like these, that it would be nice to have a marine biologist with us! *cou-allison-gh* :D It was amazing to see them up close.

A super purple starfish at a starfish party!

A large starfish.

A sea anemone above water closes up.

More starfish mirrored in a tide pool.

A sea anemone open while underwater.

After spending about an hour at the tide pools, we continued south along the Pacific Coast Highway. Spotting a lighthouse, we stopped and got a chance to tour it.

A look at the lighthouse.

Looking up the staircase.

After climbing to the top and back down, we went outside to enjoy the coast. Not long after getting outside, we spotted a gray whale. It had been there for about twenty minutes before we came out and we watched it for about fifteen minutes before finally leaving it behind.

Gray whale surfacing.

There she blows.

The gray whales showing us its tail.

 We continued to drive along the coast to Reedsport where there was some awesome sand dunes.

Sand dunes along the coast. 

 From there, we left the coast and headed inland toward Crater Lake National Park. Along the way we finally got a chance to see bull elk clearly! What a site!

Elk anyone?

And he's off...

 Eventually, later that evening, we made it to Crater Lake. Wanting to get a campsite, we only took a brief look at the lake that night. However, we had all of the next day to view the park. That evening, I scavenged up some firewood and we had a nice fire to cook yummy soup!

End Day 14.