What a day! I think that has to go down as my favorite ever 4th of July! Of course most July 4th’s have passed as just another working day for me as we don’t celebrate this holiday in the UK, but of those I have celebrated here in the US, this day would probably have to be the best.
It started with a walk on the beach here at Lincoln City on the Oregon coast (see post below). A coastline that most people imagine to be rugged and rocky. However the Oregon coast is one of America’s jewels if you ask me. On a day like today (a day that was supposed to be showery) you’ll see this coastline at its very best.
After the walk we jumped in the car and headed south along highway 101. Where possible we turned off the highway to take the less trodden route. We took all afternoon to drive the relative short distance to Newport, stopping at some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen, some covered in black volcanic sand.
The weather was just about perfect. Not beating hot and not at all cold. A light breeze kept us cool as the sun shone from a cloudless sky. It really was absolutely perfect.
We eventually stopped at the small fishing town of Newport. Missy said that we had to go to “Mo’s” and try some of their famous clam chowder, so who was I to refuse. Clam chowder isn’t a favorite dish of mine, but ‘when in Rome…’
We took that opportunity to grab an early dinner which was seafood, of course, before heading back along 101 to our hotel. We then had a little chillout time before heading back to the beach for a walk. Being the 4th the tradition here is that everyone and their dog comes to the beach to let off fireworks just as soon as it’s dark to do so, and come about 9:30 that’s exactly what happened.
Fireworks were going off constantly all along the beautiful beach. The sea breeze swept the smoke away but was not strong enough to spoil the fireworks or give us too much of a chill. People were sat around campfires all over the beach as the firecrackers and rockets banged, popped and screamed. It was quite amazing, very reminiscent of my time in India and the Diwali celebrations on the beaches of Kovalam.
The celebrations of America’s 229th year of Independence lasted until nearly midnight. The last few stragglers still letting fireworks off as the people sitting on the beach made way for the Ocean as it crashed its way to shore. All has just now gone quiet just now at just past 12:30, bringing to an end a day I won’t forget in a very very long time.
All of the pictures above were taken by me on the 4th of July
Wrote the following comment on Jul 4, 2005 at 10:52 pm
love the pictures. wish i could be there too
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2005 at 2:57 am
You take great pictures (but I know you know that).
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2005 at 5:54 am
Once again, awesome pics!!!
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2005 at 6:18 am
Wow! What a great day. I’m so glad for you (and a little jealous.) The photographs are breathtaking.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2005 at 6:37 am
very pretty….ahhh, one day…..
:)
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2005 at 6:44 am
man it’s so gorgeous, it’s almost unreal!
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2005 at 7:01 am
Oh my! Those pictures are stunning! What a day you must have had. I too feel a pinch of envy Simon :-)
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2005 at 8:38 am
glad you ad such a great 4th! the pics are incredible! it makes me want to visit the Oregon coast! take care and have fun! xx
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2005 at 8:49 am
You take some meeeeean pictures. Hubby said you were in some perfect country. He loved it there….
Thanks!
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2005 at 9:29 am
Breathtaking.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2005 at 3:38 pm
“After the walk my friend Missy and I jumped in the car..” WHY didn’t you guys go swimming!?!!?
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2005 at 10:41 pm
Thanks for the compliments on the pictures people. Days like that in Oregon make it easy to make Oregon look beautiful. As for swimming in that water Marz… are you nuts! :-)
Wrote the following comment on Jul 5, 2005 at 4:08 pm
nice.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2005 at 2:43 am
In reference to the habitat story I posted, the good news is her story has already been picked up by the local media. She told us that our newspaper had run an articile, which I missed, and one news crew had been out to her house already. Another one had promised to cover the trial. Perhaps some long term good will come of the entire affair. I can’t remember where I heard this bit of information, but somewhre I heard that Houston has one of the lowest ratios of parks and green spaces as compared to its population. I hope that statistic is untrue but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. We seem to have a penchant for mowing down trees around here rather than building around them. Drives me nuts!
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2005 at 4:32 am
Wow! Beautiful coast! It looks like the perfect weather and perfect view. This reminds me of California’s coast. I miss the beach. Thanks for sharing your pictures. You’re a great photographer.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2005 at 5:45 am
I love the irony of you being here for the 4th (I am not looking for a political discussion…it was just a thought). Hope you are having a great time. According to Pam, you will have a fabulous time no matter where you are! Prepare yourself for the Texas heat. It’s especially brutal right now.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2005 at 4:59 pm
I feel bad that Patti couched her comment in “I am not looking for a political discussion…it was just a thought”. What does that say about me I wonder?I think I’ll be ready for Texas. I’m going to Central Valley California on Friday!
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2005 at 1:15 pm
I need to go to Oregon
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2005 at 9:16 pm
Welcome to Texas!!!Can’t wait to see what you visit and do in our State*~dee
Wrote the following comment on Jul 6, 2005 at 10:00 pm
P.S.,,,, see page 3 or so of my blog for pics of a “Texas” road trip*
Wrote the following comment on Jul 9, 2005 at 4:50 am
Wow – how bizarre. Clicked on your page through EstherKabalala’s page and found these pics of the Oregon coast. I was in Salem, OR on the 4th of July weekend for a family reunion. I spent every summer growing up in Oregon and Washington. My mom was born in Kennewick, WA and most of her relatives are all over the Pacific Northwest. We would ALWAYS spend a week in Newport for clamming and digging agates! Seeing those pictures was great, as was hearing about Mo’s!
Wrote the following comment on Jul 10, 2005 at 7:30 pm
Amazing pictures! It makes me want to go there now.