Captain’s Blog July 6, 2011 (Day 61) Bullard’s Beach Sate Park, Bandon, OR, Umpqua River Lighthouse

7:50 AM | Labels: Motorhome

We left Florence around 11:00 AM. Once again, we had great sunshine but gale force winds blowing all day making the 60 degree weather feel like 40. We wanted to stop at the Umpqua River Lighthouse but were not sure if there would be any RV parking available. I spoke with the volunteer on the phone and she told me there was parking at the overlook and we could walk down to the lighthouse.

The drive to the lighthouse was only 22 miles and the overlook right off highway 101. We were at the overlook but the lighthouse seemed very far away – too far to walk. There was a Fed Ex driver parked in the overlook so Ron asked him if it was possible to get to the lighthouse with our entire rig. Yes, but there were some tight turns so be careful.

Based on that info we decided to unhitch the car and take it to the lighthouse – not the MH. As it turned out the roads were fine and there was plenty of room to park at the lighthouse. The volunteer didn’t tell us the overlook was across from the lighthouse and was used for whale watching.

The Umpqua River Lighthouse was one of two commissioned to be built at the same time. The first was Heceta Head that we had visited yesterday. Umpqua was in much better shape and had a completely different Fresnel Lens. At the time Umpqua was built they were having difficulty getting a Fresnel Lens. The lens in the lighthouse was the only one available and has red and white glass. It is quite beautiful to see.

When touring the museum we were surprised to learn that the first commissioned lighthouse on any US coastline was in Boston. We have been to many lighthouses on both coasts but never knew that bit of information.

The 6 minute video below was done by a 6th grader for a school project. It is very good and well done.

Umpqua River Lighthouse

This boat was once once used as a rescue boat by the Coast Guard. It will always roll back to the upright position and has been used in many rescues with multiple lives saved.

After leaving the lighthouse we secured a site at Bullard Beach State Park in Bandon, OR. Driving into the CG we stopped to get a picture of the sign.

Yes, we are now in the Tsunami Hazard Zone. Oh! Goody.

Later that day we took a walk on the beach but not for long. It was extremely cold and the wind brutal. The weather here is not what we expected at all especially since we are now on the far South coast of OR.

Back from the beach we took in a Ranger program called “Disposable Ocean.” Of course before the program began the volunteer gave us instructions on what to do in the event of an earthquake and possible Tsunami. Just what I wanted to hear. NOT! I guess we have several hours to evacuate if an earthquake hits Japan, but if the earth shakes here then we have 15 minutes to run up the 100 foot hill to supposed safety. Now I ask, how do 500 people get up that little tiny path without killing each other in 15 minutes????? Hope we never have to find out. As I mentioned in earlier posts there has been frequent small earthquakes in the area for months. No BIG ones – PLEASE!

The talk on “Disposable Ocean” was excellent and very enlightening. What the human race is doing to our environment and this beautiful planet is unbelievable and in most cases unforgiveable. A must see for yourself to believe it. The link below brings you to a variety of sites describing the mess we have created.