Beaches, Dogs and Big Trees Gallery

After slipping out of Canada between two storms and recovering our wits in Seattle, we headed south along the western coast of the USA. Washington State, Oregon and northern California treated us to a seemingly endless succession of dramatic coastal rock formations, beautiful beaches and trees of every type, veiled in mist. The surfers were happy; the beach walkers were happy; the photographers were happy. But nobody was as happy as the dogs. Here are some photos to make you wish you could take a dog to the beach. Right now.

At the beginning of my last post I mentioned an afternoon when the sun broke through after 2 days of rain. This was the sunset that day.

Mist, trees, sea stacks and hypnotic breakers – most of the Oregon coast looks like this.

At high tide waves rush into this chasm, causing the blow hole seen on the photo as well as tourists in varying states from damp to drenched (Saul falling into the latter category)

This photo was taken from a lookout point on the Whispering Spruce trail. We did this short walk on a very windy day and the spruces were screaming rather than whispering but the view was magnificent. The road below is the Oregon coastal highway – we drove its whole length.

Haystack Rock, visible in the distance, is a famous landmark in Cannon Beach

More wave action from Shore Acres State Park – Oregon

Stout Grove in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park was donated to the state in 1929 by Mrs. Clara Stout to memorialise her lumber baron husband. Go figure.

The oldest living redwood trees are about 2000 years old. The network of state and national parks that now protect this species were created piecemeal, starting in the 1920s, with Redwood National Park only established in 1968.

Trying to capture these trees is an exercise in futility

Spending so much time on beaches, we had ample opportunity to enjoy other people’s dogs at their joyful best

There is certainly something to be said for being a teenager in La Jolla, even if you don’t surf

The view under the pier at La Jolla made me think of similar photos we took of the gates at Fushimi Inari, a Shinto shrine in Japan. If you’re wondering what I’m smoking, Google it!

Two happy campers in San Francisco

Saul waits for a wave to wash him off the rocks at Thor’s Well – Cape Perpetua, Oregon

A weird coastal rock formation beloved of risk-seeking photographers. Read more about it in Saul’s post.

Of course, no coastal gallery would be complete without its lighthouse. Here she is.