Day 23: Genitalia/Buttocks, Elk, Sea Lions and Whales
Today we drove up Highway 101 along the beautiful forrest covered coastline of Oregon. In route to 101, we stopped for a picnic lunch along the Umpqua River in Douglas County, Oregon. And, as I was reading all the various park regulations, I found one particular rule somewhat interesting:
It shall be unlawful for any person to commit any of the following acts in a park or recreational area…
…Expose his or her genitalia or buttocks or for any female person to wholly or substantially expose her breast, except while breast feeding a child, while in a public place, or in a place visible from a public place, if the place is open or available to persons of the opposite sex.
What could have prompted such a rule? Could things have really been that bad at the time?
Anywho, on to the important stuff. Today was all about animals. First we passed the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area. Laughing about how lame that would be, I almost ran off the road when we passed the place. We had to turn around and go back. As you can see from the photos, we were less than 25 feet from like 40 or 50 elk. I was wrong, It was pretty nifty.
Once we got on Highway 101, we stopped at the Oregon Dunes National Rec Area. These dunes may be really amazing at some places, but we were really unimpressed with our stop. I suggest you visit Jockey’s Ridge in NC or White Sands in NM before you hit Oregon Dunes.
Next, we stopped at the Sea Lions Caves near Florence, OR. Again, we weren’t expecting very much, but we stopped nonetheless. When we walked into the place, the lady mentioned in passing that there was a whale swimming by. We figured she meant 25 miles out where we could barely see, but we looked out the window it was right there. Right where we could see it! Then we went to see the Sea Lions. There were hundreds of them! And, while we were watching the sea lions, another pair of whales swam by!
Tonight we’re in Tillamook, OR. Matt said we have to see the cheese factory here. Again, I am not expecting much, but I’ll let you know what happens tomorrow.
