Prev. Day
| Today we stayed in the
town of
Florence
and took a short jaunt up to coast to the
Oregon Sea
Lion Caves and to the town of
Yachats. The sea lions caves are fastinating. There is a millions of years old system of caves caused by huge cracks in the rock cliffs into which the ocean flows. This is a rookery for the sea lions. After spending months out in the ocean totally silent, they are very vocal. In fact, the first thing you notice upon entering the caves is the loud din and the smell. All the while, many sea birds constantly flit in and out of the caves using the rock walls for roosting and nesting. There seems to be an overflow area of flat rocks outside the caves themselves where many, many more sea lions congregate, socialize, and have their young. The little town of Yachats was nice. Immediately on the beach, it must be heaven for kids growing up there. We had lunch in a small, organic restaurant where some of the local teenagers gather to explore their emerging individualities. Back to Florence and a very restful afternoon and evening. |
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 At 4:00 AM the town is a beautiful post card |
 The morning awoke with a high fog. |
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 They have a protective screen to protect the animals and to keep people from disturbing the rookery |
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 At the far end of the cave, there is a fissure opening allowing a view up the coast. |
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 Below the walkway there is another, larger rookery where tons (literally) of sea lions do sea lion things. |
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 For some reason, the sea lions congregate in the water. |
 It seems to be a bull and his harem. |
 It may have to do with feeding because they would all seem to dive into the depths at the same time. |
 Yachats, Oregon |
 Yashats is right on the ocean. |
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 We stopped in an organic sandwich shop for lunch. |
 Then headed back down Hwy-1 to Florence. |
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