Hwy 101 Newport to Pacific City, Oregon

Hwy101 is a scenic mostly two lane paved road that hugs the steep cliffs of the Oregon Coast. Sprinkled along this spectacular hwy are many small towns and hamlets. Several tunnels and bridges along with bicycle riders sometimes make this hwy a challenge. We left Newport, Oregon and headed north. Our first stop was at the Devil's Punchbowl in Otter Rock, Oregon, just south of Depoe Bay. I'll try not to bore you too much  and just let you enjoy the pictures of this fabulous area...

If you're lucky enough to live on these craggy bluffs, you'll be able to experience the magnificent force of nature as the waves break over the face of the cliffs.

These cliffs are steep! Looking down over a field of daisies into the Pacific.

Talk about magnificent views. Look closely at the top of the picture...see that home up on the bluff. Think of the view they have everyday.

This is the Devil's Punchbowl. As the tide rises the ocean is funneled through the opening on the right. As it's forced into this "bowl" it picks up speed and swirls inside the bowl. During high tide it is spectacular.

As this picture shows, the outside of the Devil's Punchbowl is a "C" which further funnels the ocean through that small opening into the bowl. 

Meanwhile, further out in the ocean another phenomenon  is occurring. Look closer at this picture. This is off shore from the Devil's Punchbowl. With the rocks, the ocean floor and the movement of the tide, the waves begin to come at different angles. This wave action formed a huge whirlpool and awesome wave action.

Back on the road we continued north climbing up, over and around towards Otter Rock.

Here, from an overlook, you can see the town of Otter Rock. Established in 1913, it takes it's name from a large rock about 1/4 mile offshore.

We saw several beaches along this area favored by surfers. At 62 degrees F, wetsuits are a must. Compare that to the 80 degree water we experienced last year in the Atlantic.  Surfers will gladly trade the cold water for the wave action of the Pacific.

Our home for the next 8 days,  Pacific City, Oregon.