Pinnipeds and Waterfalls

After breakfast we headed out to Simpson Reef Overlook, armed with our binoculars, the spotter scope and tripod, and camera and tripod. When we arrived, the SEA (Shoreline Education for Awareness) volunteer docents had set up three scopes and were available to answer questions about the critters. They noticed Ken's Excel cap and struck up a conversation, since they are fellow Excel owners. We had noticed their rig at Sunset Bay State Park Campground yesterday.

We were able to observe the pinnepeds--fin-footed semi-aquatic mammals. Harbor seals, California sea lions, Stellar sea lions, and elephant seals use the reef and Shell Island as a haulout area to rest. We saw harbor seal mothers with their pups--very cute to watch.

Sometimes it was hard to tell the pinnipeds from the rocks.

Speaking of mothers, today is Mothers' Day, and all of my kids called to wish me a happy day. When Chris called, Annie was on the line too, so I heard a chorus of "Happy Mothers' Day!"

At the reef we saw some sea birds on the rocks, too, including pelagic cormorants and Western seagulls, but we didn't stay too long. The overlook is exposed to the wind and damp from the ocean, and the sun was not out, so it was rather chilly.

Later in the afternoon, when the sun had come out and warmed things up a bit, we headed for Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area, about 25 miles northeast of Coos Bay. The trip there was an adventure, since the last several miles are on a narrow, winding, gravel road. When he saw Sweetie, one of the other visitors showed off his 7-month-old miniature Dachshund--a real little hot dog!

The hike to the base of Silver Falls was an easy one, and our first view of the falls took our breath away. Water pours over the cliff and breaks into spray, so no actual flowing water lands at the base--quite a spectacular sight.

We took the wrong fork in trying to return to the parking lot for another short hike to the base of Golden Falls. We were talking as we walked along so it was a while before we noticed that the trail we were following was not familiar. We ended up at the top of Golden Falls, looking down into the gorge. It was a longer hike than Ken had intended to take, but we made it back to the parking lot, where Sweetie was waiting for us in the truck.

The view at the top of Golden Falls.

Lee is just out of reach of the mist at the foot of Silver Falls.

One thing we noticed in Coos Bay was the interesting coffeeshop names, like "Java the Hut," "The Human Bean," and "Java Jones Coffee House and Art Gallery." We often spot cleverly named shops on our travels--one of the perks of being on the road.

For dinner we had poached eggs in Mexican sauce--a recipe I had noticed on the RV Times website this morning--very good!