Tillamook Rock Lighthouse was the only lighthouse in Oregon we had not viewed. It is one of 2 lighthouses that are not open to the public. Cape Arago is the other and we saw it from a hill in Sunset Bay SP while we were geocaching. Wednesday morning we drove to Ecola State Park which is the only area to view 'Terrible Tilly.' Both 'Tilly' and Cape Arago are on islands.
To get to the best viewpoint for 'Tilly' we hike uphill 1.3 miles--and I do mean uphill! Bob and I think this was one of our toughest hikes because it was the steepest! Wagon wheel trail at Capitol Reef might be a close second because it was a longer hike. The scenery was nice as we walked the trail. We were able to stop often to read the interpretive signs about Lewis & Clark. The trees are covered in moss--not like the Spanish moss in Florida that hangs from the limbs, the moss here covers everything! We've even seen it growing on houses!
There was a viewing area once we reached the summit. We could see Terrible Tilly clearly since it was a beautiful day. Tilly sits on a rock 1.2 miles offshore. The lighthouse is privately owned and serves as a columbarium (storage place for ashes of the deceased). If anyone is interested, Tilly is for sale. I don't know the price, but will look into it for you.
At the base of the cliff where we viewed Tilly, there were rocks in the surf. The white on all the rocks is from the birds. They love to nest on the rocks in the area.
As we hiked down to the parking area (much easier and faster than going up) we stopped to watch people playing in the surf. The water is much to cold for me!
Just south of Ecola State Park is Cannon Beach. That is where Lewis and Clark went to view the monstrous fish which had washed up on the beach. From journal entries, it has been determined that the monstrous fish was actually a blue whale!
We enjoyed our trip to Ecola State Park the surrounding area. Thursday would be a town day. We need to explore Astoria--named after its founder John Jacob Astor.
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