Day 2: A Hair-Raising, Whale-Chasing, Oyster-Regretting Adventure on the Oregon Coast

Yaquina Head Lighthouse: Where Old Meets New (and Wind Meets Hair)

Yaquina Head Lighthouse reaches for the heavens, a sun-kissed beacon against a backdrop of endless blue

Our first stop was the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, a classic brick beauty that's been guiding ships since 1872. Sure, it's gotten a few modern upgrades – LEDs instead of oil wicks, automation instead of lighthouse keepers with bushy beards – but the 93-foot tower still stands tall, a testament to the fact that they just don't build things like they used to.

The surrounding Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area was equally impressive, with its dramatic coastline, gravity-defying trees, and tide pools teeming with starfish.

We even heard rumors of a pair of resident peregrine falcons, though they clearly weren’t keen on meeting a couple of windblown tourists, one of whom was sporting a truly epic case of flyaway hair. Oh yeah, did I mention the wind? It was so ferocious, it gave my beanie-loving husband the perfect excuse to break out his favorite knit cap in the middle of July – a truly momentous occasion.

Nature's own masterpiece, no filter needed.

Depoe Bay: The World's Smallest Harbor (and Biggest Teaser)

After dodging slippery mussels and admiring the abundance of sea lions (seriously, those guys were everywhere), we hightailed it to Depoe Bay, a town that proudly boasts the title of "World's Smallest Harbor" and "Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast."

Move over, influencers – these sea lions are the real stars here. (Arrows helpfully highlight their prime sunbathing spots.)

Naturally, the whales decided to make a showing just prior to our arrival. Go figure. We did, however, learn about the town's most unique claim to fame: the "spouting horn," a natural phenomenon where the ocean shoots a giant spray of water into the air during storms. It's basically nature pretending to be a whale, with the added bonus of drenching everybody on Main Street. Now that would be a sight to see!

Depoe Bay Brewing Company: Where Burgers Triumph Over Oysters

Feeling dejected and famished, we sought solace at the Depoe Bay Brewing Company. The beer was wonderful, the burger and fries were even better, and my adventurous husband's fried oyster sandwich...well, it certainly expanded his culinary horizons, even if it didn't necessarily expand his list of favorite foods.

When the Oregon coast gives you wind-whipped hair and a beanie-clad husband, you strike a pose and enjoy the chaos.

Devil's Punchbowl: Nature's Cauldron of Awesome

Our final stop was the world famous Devil's Punchbowl, a churning cauldron of seawater that looks like something straight out of a fantasy novel. We'd seen pictures, but the real thing was even cooler. Apparently, during storms, the waves crashing against the hollow rock sound like thunder – an experience we sadly missed out on. We also couldn’t get close enough to peek inside, thanks to a strategically placed fence that probably exists due to some Darwin Award contenders from the past.

If this fence thinks it can keep us from the Devil's Punchbowl, it clearly has not seen our skills. (Just kidding, park rangers.)

But hey, at least we spotted a bald eagle on the way down to the beach, which made us wonder if this was THE infamous featherless friend from the overheard beach conversation (yesterday's blog post). It's a mystery for the ages, I guess.

Proof that the best waves are worth the paddle...and maybe a wetsuit (Otter Rock, OR)

Back to the Beach (and a Hairbrush)

With that, we ended the day sitting on our front porch at the Agate Beach Motel, enjoying the cool air and reflecting on our adventure. It was a trip filled with stunning scenery, questionable food choices, and enough wind to warrant a year's supply of hairspray. Can't wait to do it all again someday – hopefully during a storm!

Cheers to exploring new places!

At Yaquina Head, even the trees refuse to surrender to the elements

Michelle Eidam is a freelance writer with a thirst for adventure – exploring mountains, trails, breweries, and everything in between.