We drove down to the Oregon Sand Dune park on the coast near Florence. It was going to be 99 degrees in Eugene, so the cool coast was the best bet. It was partly sunny and 65-75 degrees there. Only 40 miles west of Eugene.
Here is the 6-8 mile trail we hiked on. It starts in the deep ,dark, and lush enchanted forest.
The rhododendrons were blooming. The foliage was so dense we walked in tree tunnels.
Tree tunnels topped with rhododendrons. John, Leslie, Scott and Rhody (short for his full name of Rhododendron) were waiting for me as I dallied and photographed.
More rhododendrons on the trail. They are so beautiful. We came to the dune part of the trail.
This part of the trail is on over grown dunes. These fir and spruce are not old growth forest, they were clear cut in 1920. This is how tall they have become since then. The lower limbs die off and become mossy because the canopy blocks the sunlight. Lots and lots of ferns.
At the edge of the forest you can see the ocean on the horizon. We hiked 3 miles to Three Mile Lake.
The sun was coming in and out, it was in the 70’s. We had lunch here and a nap in the warm sun.
It was very steep loose sand going down to the lake and back up. Leslie was using the same method as Rhody to climb the sand. It was hard work. John , Scott and Rhody at the top of the dune.
We walked down to the ocean. It is nesting season for the snowy plovers, so dogs are not allowed on the beach now. The plovers lay their eggs on top of the sand with no nest. People and dogs on the beach disturb their nesting, so parts of the beach are closed. We walked a mile along the beach. It was cool, misty and windy. Scott took Rhody on another trail away from the beach.
The wind made cool lines on the sand and there were mackerel clouds, nice patterns together.
Along the beach and up the trail leading off the beach back into the dunes.
The sun came out and it was really hot crossing the steep sand back to the forest. We met up with Scott and Rhody and hiked back in the tree tunnel. We had dinner on the deck of the Travel Cove Cafe along the Siuslaw river in Florence. Yummy seafood Mexican.
The bridge over the Siuslaw River was built in 1926 and is a draw bridge. There sand dunes come all the way into town. It would have been fun to slide down the sand into the river. If the air and water were warmer. . .
Florence marina and some of the interesting shops and signs.
Lots to see in the forest. saprophytic plant, rhododendrons, mossy contorted branches, many different species of ferns.
Berries, blossoms and a banana slug. They are about 4 inches long. Wild foxglove flowers.
Green foliage, monkey flower, fiddlehead fern and a leaf with a face. Pink and white flowers.
Sights on the dunes.
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