The Road to Florence by auntietk

Photography • Sea/Undersea • posted on Jul 02, 2011

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Description

For those of you who don't care, this is a pretty picture of the Oregon Coast. If you want to know more: Heceta Head Lighthouse was built in 1894 in a location that was so isolated there wasn't a reliable road that went by there until 1932. (The lighthouse is behind me in this photograph, so don't hurt yourself looking ... you won't see it!) There was a wagon road that was the main route from the lighthouse to Florence, Oregon, which was the nearest town, but that road was impassable in wet weather. The area gets about 75 inches of rain a year, so you can imagine how often the road was closed! The alternate route for wagon traffic going to and from the lighthouse was across the beach at low tide, around the headland, and up a ramp to the road. See how I'm standing on a cliff, and then there's a cove with the bridge in back, then a rugged headland, then another cove, then the farthest point of land? They waited until the tide was so far out they could drive around that rugged headland with a team and wagon, and then up the ramp to the road (although I don't know how far down the coast the ramp was). That beautiful bridge in the background is the Cape Creek Bridge, which was built in 1932. There's a tunnel that runs through the headland now, and you can see the road on the other side. If you look below the bridge and to the left, you'll see a grassy area. The parking lot is right there, and was the starting point for our hike up the cliff to the lighthouse.

Comments (33)

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junge1

2:49AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

Great capture Tara and an informative and funny write-up. 75 inches? Thats ten times more than we get. I know I went across that bridge, at least twice, and I can't remember seeing it. That just tells you about my vacationing, drive baby drive. Take a break and look? Not right now, maybe later. Looks like I missed a beautiful sight and i like the historical information you provided.

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bobrgallegos

2:49AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

Wonderful photo and narrative!!

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rockstrider

3:54AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

Beautiful! Looks like a wonderful place to explore with the camera! Excellent capture Tara!

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durleybeachbum

5:09AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

SO interesting! I could look at this again and again..so a favourite it must be!

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faroutsider

5:41AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

75 inches?? Wow. So is that real blue sky or did you Photoshop it in :o) ? Gorgeous shot. You'd love the Western Cape - similar vistas and not nearly as much rain...

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fallen21

5:57AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

Beautiful capture.

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jophoto

7:15AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

Your pictures of Oregon make me want to go back there. It was one of our best vacations...something wonderful around every bend. What I loved about Oregon was that they saved the coastline for the people of the state and not the rich. There are a string of state parks that run all along the coast and the Columbia River, one more beautiful than the next. I remember the three parks outside of Coos Bay. They impressed me so much I wanted to move there to live. Lovely capture, Tara.

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jayfar

7:38AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

Very pretty and an interesting piece of information Tara.

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bmac62

8:33AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

There's so much to see along the Oregon coast. I was very impressed when I realized that the only access (in or out) 100 years ago to the coastal towns was by ship. Hence the need for frequent lighthouses. Your seascape here is beautiful and really conveys the sense of ruggedness that goes with this part of the country. And...of course, I love the history bits:)

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PHELINAS

8:34AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

Wonderful photo Tara!Landscape very wild,no? Congratulations

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moochagoo

8:57AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

I remember that view, spectacular !

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makron

9:13AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

Wonderful landscape my friend. Very well done

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Faemike55

9:17AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

Great capture, Tara and wonderful and very interesting information

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helanker

9:17AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

Must have been a unforgettable trip through this landscape and a complicated trip to and from the lighthouse. What a marvellous shot this is.

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barbdennist

9:57AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

I love your photo and I love reading the comments of others about "my" state. I try not to take the beauty we have for granted. This is one of my favorite stops and I have spent many hours playing in the little creek that runs into the ocean there and walking the short beach collecting driftwood. Our kids now take their kids there.

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dochtersions

10:02AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

This looks amazing great, Tara! Very special, also the info!

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beachzz

10:17AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

This is beautiful, and a perfect postcard view of the Oregon coast. Well, better than a postcard, because you were there and shared it with us in your own unique way!!

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lyron

11:08AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

Beautiful landscape!!!

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emmecielle

11:09AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

Great capture! :)

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MrsRatbag

11:19AM | Sat, 02 July 2011

It's beautiful indeed! You know, from this angle it looks almost like the bridge at Deception Pass...I've got a shot of that one from this angle and while the quality isn't anywhere near as good as this, everything else looks much the same. Funny, isn't it?

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