In November 2023, Cami and I returned once again to the Oregon coast to celebrate her 15th birthday. Given the plethora of wonderful experiences from our previous visits, we chose to stay in Newport, Oregon. Our plan was to revisit some cherished places from past trips and explore new areas.
The Oregon coast, with its diversity and beauty, is a place where one can spend years and never get bored. Cami, now delving into photography for both personal enjoyment and a high school class, joined me with her new Fuji camera and tripod to capture the stunning landscapes along the coast.
On the first day, we set out for a sunset drive south down the coast. Despite encountering intermittent heavy rain showers and witnessing enormous waves, this weather pattern persisted throughout the week. We explored various smaller locations, hiked, and ventured until hunger, rain, and darkness prompted our retreat.
The following afternoon, we headed north, stopping at overlooks and trails on our way to the final destination of Cape Kiwanda. The day saw passing storms, with high tide coinciding closely with sunset, resulting in massive waves.
Cape Kiwanda, our fourth visit to this beach, is possibly one of my favorite locations to watch a sunset. However, as we hiked to the top of the dunes and found what I believed to be a perfect spot, storms rolled in. I managed to capture two stunning images before the rain and lightning chased us away. Hopefully, one day we’ll experience a complete sunset here without the interruption of a storm.
Another reason Cape Kiwanda holds a special place in our hearts is the food. In the same parking lot where we used to hike down the beach, you’ll find Pelican Brewing, always offering tasty food and good beer – a welcoming treat after dashing down the dunes in the cold pouring rain.
The next day, our focus shifted to Thor’s Well. Sunset aligned perfectly with high tide, the ideal (and most perilous) time to photograph the well. Storms had come and gone throughout the day, creating stunning cloud formations. Carefully selecting a composition, I ventured out, and as the sun dipped lower, the waves grew larger. Waves crashed in front of me and from the side, at times reaching well above my knees. Despite the challenge, I navigated the area thoughtfully and made it out unharmed, albeit very wet, with some stunning photos.
The following day, we explored Devils Punch Bowl in the morning, enjoyed lunch at our favorite crab shack, and returned to Thor’s Well. Despite the success the night before, we noticed even larger waves that now threatened the spot I stood in the previous day. Opting for safety, we headed further south and found a wonderful, quiet cove to enjoy the sunset. With substantial cloud cover, we didn’t miss out on anything.
Sadly, the next morning marked the time to head home. After a stop at a local diner for breakfast and refueling, we embarked on the long drive back to the airport. Naturally, we made a mandatory stop at In-n-Out for lunch before catching a somewhat uneven red-eye flight, arriving home just in time for Thanksgiving dinner.
