Day 8 - Ponsler Viewpoint to Heceta Head Lighthouse

Where I Am Tonight:  Newport             Miles Hiked Today: 4.8 ( 7.7 km)

Miles Hiked Overall:  59.2 (95.3 km)    


Blog master Note:  

Based on schedule conflicts Karen will be doing a number of sections by herself, with Pam rejoining her for some sections.  This creates logistical issues, as car shuttles are not possible when hiking alone. As a result, Karen will be skipping around a lot, trying to use public transportation or taxis in the few places they are available on the Oregon coast to get back to where she left her car.  She also took her bike and may use that as her "shuttle", driving her car to the end of a section, riding to the starting point, and then going back to pick up the bike at the end of the day.  However, all these options take time away from hiking, so Karen also put out an appeal for any friends who would be willing to help out.  Help could either mean hiking with her for a day or more (enabling a car shuttle), or just driving down to the coast for a day (or more) and picking her up or dropping her off at the the end or start of her hike for that day.  If you have not yet responded and would be willing to help please contact Karen to coordinate.  Any help would be appreciated, and if you can't physically come to the coast to offer your support keep her in your thoughts and prayers and send your support telepathically, or send her a note of encouragement by adding a comment to the blog, or sending her a text or email. Thanks.

Today I walked only 4.8 miles as I left home mid morning and had a long drive down to the central part of the coast, so I had to pick a hike that I could do in a relatively short period of time.  The hike started out on the beach and then after a couple of miles the headland that the lighthouse sits on juts out into the water so there is a path that leads from the beach up and over the mountain and then up to the lighthouse.  

During much of the hike it was pouring down rain, and the wind the wind was vicious and cold.  The sand is blowing all over the place.  On a positive note, at least it's not crowded on the beach!

Blowing sand

Not sure what is worse, blowing sand, or cold rain blowing on your face

Since I was alone, I actually hiked from Ponsler Viewpoint to Heceta Head Lighthouse and back.  I hiked about half the way, returned to my car to warm up, then drove to the other end and hiked back to where I had previously stopped and then returned to my car again.  Fortunately the clouds were high enough that there was a reasonable view from the lighthouse.

 I finished my day by driving north to Newport where I will spend the night, and do my next sections of hiking as there is bus service for a section of the coast north and south of Newport.  If I time things right I can either catch a bus to my starting point and hike back to my car, or catch a bus back to where I left my car at the end of the day.  Major bummer if I miss the bus as they only go 3-4 times a day!