Spring Vacation 2010

This year we headed up the Oregon coast to a section Joyce and Jeff had never been to and for Tony it was all a new adventure as he had not been born when we headed up the coast in 1995 with the other kids. The sea lions cave was interesting. A bit overpriced though. Both of these attractions are a little north of Florance, OR

We got to go inside the Heceta Head Lighthouse. The caretakers house is now a B&B.

This is my favorite lighthouse. Yaquina Head, Newport, OR. I'm already planning a return vacation.Newport was a nice area. Not to big. The weather was nice and they have two lighthouses and the aquarium.

At Newport we stopped at the Oregon Aquarium. It's the sister aquarium to Monterey, It doesn't have as many exhibits but it's a lot less crowded.

And the price was better.

Our main reason for going to Washington was to see the lighthouse we saw 14 years previous. It was in better condition then. This first shot is of the caretakers house which is now a vacation rental. Hum???

This is North Head lighthouse. One of my favorites.

Tony and Joyce on the beach below the lighthouse. The wind was blowing quite strong and the temps were cold. But we weren't worried as the "yurt" we stayed in was heated.

The next morning the storm had passed over and we headed east down the north side of the Columbia River.

Tony manning the big gun

This is Fort Columbia, WA

Salem OR, Thomas Kay Woolen Mill

At Winston, OR, we went on a wildlife safari. The place was divided into different "Countrys" with their respective animals.

The grizzly's were only a few feet away on the other side of electric cables but they did have a guard tower overlooking them.

A bull elk lounging in the woods.

Hippo looking for ... what?

White reindeer from Asia.

And flamingos from "Florida".