The Devil's Punchbowl & Agate Beach (+6 insets)

(+6 insets)

We're So Glad We Didn't Miss This Roadside Stop!
How do you feel about those sight-seeing spots that are just off the road? We usually avoid easy stops like the plague because they tend to be a very bad experience. Invariably we are forced to rub elbows with milling crowds of Covid-deniers and families headed by Neanderthals with a passel of screaming monsters devoid of manners or sense. As well, people are often so selfish they don't consider that others may want to take pictures too and refuse to move from the prime spot for ages, if at all. Maddening!

Since we've been travelling in our RV up and down the Oregon Coast, we've seen the sign for "Devil's Punchbowl" many times. The pictures online were enticing. So finally, since Beverly Beach was so close, we decided to stop there one day when we drove out to Agate Beach for a stroll.

WOW!! The pictures do not do this place justice. Steve and I were just stunned at this amazing formation at the edge of the sea. We stood and watched, mesmerized, as the waves blasted in and out of the opening to the sea on one side of the "punchbowl." Looking out, an enormous slab of rock the size of a small island rose up and braced itself against the pounding surf. In another spot, a line of rocks just broke the surface and we watched waves lap at them and wash over their tops. Sea birds wheeled and called, landing on nesting grounds out on the huge island rock. Yes, there were stupid people a-plenty but this place was definitely worth the visit!

Today's Picture
This view shows the whole area--the Devil's Punchbowl and the magnificent view out to sea. What a sight! What a place! What good fortune to be here! Isn't it just amazing?! It's places like this that make a person happy to be alive to see such things!

Today's Insets
Inset #1: A view of the punchbowl with its wonderful textures and colors, showing the hole out to the sea with water swelling in and out. A few people climbed down to walk around in the "bowl," something we found tempting but we had a walk on Agate Beach ahead of us and didn't want to take the time for this extra adventure.

Inset #2: A view up the coast shows a beach that also has a wide band of healthy tidal area that is not accessible to people. What a unique spot! We didn't go over to the beach but would have loved to visit--the views and adventures to be had must be very nice.

Inset #3: A view of the rocks which were washed by the waves. It would be interesting to see how the exposure changed depending on the tide--we had no idea if it was high or low when we were there.

Inset #4: The massive island of rock which served as a nesting place and refuge to a variety of sea birds--perhaps seals as well.

Inset #5: Our walk that day on Agate Beach was a wonderful memory for us. It turned out to be a good thing we didn't spend more time at the Punchbowl because we were able to spend a long time walking on the expansive beach. This view shows the lovely, deep beach which is tucked away in a nearly protected cove. To the left of the high cliff that we walked to is Yaquina Lighthouse, which sits at the tip of a narrow, basalt peninsula.

Inset #6: Another view of one of the creeks emptying out at the ocean at Agate Beach. The water was spread out widely enough that walking across didn't soak our shoes and I was able to take pictures like this one! Notice the fishing boat passing by!

Thanks for Stopping By!
I appreciate all of your visits and comments more than I can say. Big virtual hugs to you all! I'm hoping that your week is a nice one, bringing more promises of a lovely spring!

Explored on 2/17/22; highest placement #7.