Umpqua, say it" Ump-kwah"

The Umpqua Lighthouse State Park is located about 6 miles south of Reedsport, Oregon.  We took the short drive to the lighthouse and viewpoint.  One of the easier lighthouses to get to and the dome was really interesting--it looked almost like Russian architecture with its onion shape.  

It is still amazing to see the huge sand dunes around here.  After doing a little "googling" on the dunes, I found that Frank Herbert based his book research for, "Dune," and its sequels on this area.  These are probably the best science fiction books of all time (my opinion).  I've read the books, seen the movie, and re-read the books.  I admit I take a geek "Dune" tour whenever we drive through the sand hills that stretch from the beach back several miles to Highway 101.

Our walk today consisted of a visit to the marina.  There are two large marinas in Winchester Bay; one is a public marina, and the other for commercial boats only.  Boats are interesting--some well cared for and others nesting material for the gulls; and if their owner is nearby, he/she is always excited to tell you all about the twin diesel engines, the maximum speed or today's catch.

These pictures are a little deceiving.  If you take the picture towards the east (which these are), it is blue sky; but a looking west, you guessed it, it is still foggy!  So strange.