Gold Beach to Bandon-by-the-Sea, Oregon, 55 miles
Another beautiful day on Highway 101…

PREHISTORIC GARDENS
http://www.prehistoricgardens.com/
This one was a surprise. I automatically stop at all roadside attractions — just can’t resist the kitsch. But I didn’t expect an education. The gardens here are so well-maintained, and the information about the gardens and the dinosaurs is presented on friendly, easy-to-digest signs along the way. The most fun thing was to see the real size of dinosaurs in person (yep, they were huge).
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Look how tall they were! (that’s a real car!)
Panda don’t care
There’s a WHAT behind me???
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
OK
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Should you be doing that?
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
But…but…I can almost reach that leaf…
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Amazing shrimp melt in a quaint crab shack on a dock in a working port. Actual seamen dine here (alright, I just wanted to say “seamen”) (but it’s true). Great local color!
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
2022 UPDATE: Sadly, Griff’s on the Dock finally succombed to the power of the Pacific Ocean, fighting valiantly to the end. But the owner’s other restaurant, The Dive, is equally fun and yummy, and nearby.
CAPE BLANCO LIGHTHOUSE
I never knew there were so many lighthouses on the west coast. I always think of New England when I think of lighthouses, but apparently ships on the west coast needed guidance as well. But the lighthouse isn’t the only reason to visit Cape Blanco State Park — the views from the top of lighthouse hill are breathtaking, both north and south.
Highway 101
Cape Blanco State Park
The long and winding road to the lighthouse

Looking south from the lighthouse

Looking north from the lighthouse
The 1870 lighthouse is in perfect condition, and open for tours April – October, although you can’t go to the top of the lighthouse.
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
So tempting…(why won’t they let me go upstairs?)
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
Photo by Stephanie Roberts, ObsessiveHobbyist.com
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