Crescent City to Newport - Thursday, Sep. 30 2010

A rather ordinary day. After all the exhilaration and pleasure over the last six days today brought us back to earth.

It was a long drive from Crescent City to Newport made longer by the fact that there wasn’t a lot to see. The trip was quite slow as we passed through numerous small towns and villages with a reduced speed limit and the road was quite winding.

Islands in the fog

Fog along the seashore hampered viewing early on but we were able to see lots of rock-stacks/islets/islands poking through.

We did develop an interest in architecture during the day as we crossed over lots of bridges with some amazing designs especially incorporating columns and arches. Helen came across some information which revealed they were all designed by the same person, obviously explaining the similar characteristics.

I mentioned the sea lions we saw at Crescent City and today we visited Sea Lion Cave. It is a commercial operation which allows you to descend by lift into a viewing area adjacent to a cave occupied by sea lions. You know sea lions are present by the raucous noise they make.

Bridge in Newport, Oregon

On arriving in Newport late this afternoon we asked for recommendations for seafood restaurants. One was down by the harbour-front and as soon as we got out of the car we knew there was a sea lion colony nearby. I would hate to be staying in accommodation nearby as they apparently keep up the racket all night.

We’ve decided to dine out on seafood as we make our way up the coast. A delightful restaurant alongside the harbour, called the Chart Room, was recommended to us in Crescent City and we ate there both nights. Tonight we ate at Local Ocean and the food and ambience was superb. There can’t be a better way to eat seafood than right alongside where the trawlers tie up. Prices have been pretty reasonable and we can generally get a meal for $30. The tip is extra of course!

While I strongly dislike the practice of tipping we nevertheless do the right thing. Only once did I refuse to tip and that was because the food and service didn’t measure up.