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Highway 101 the whole way. Crescent City is close to the Oregon border. (3) Beyond Brookings, OR starts the
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, a large coastal region of sand dunes and its associated flora and fauna. I
pulled over at the Dunes Overlook – very beautiful here. Beyond the dunes, the coastline is dotted with towns,
which used to be lumber and fishing villages. Now, they are mostly regular small towns and to a greater or lesser
extent tourist havens. (4) I, also, pulled over at the Sea Lion Caves, where there is an outdoor cliff overlook from
which you can see hundreds of sea lions on a rock beach below and there is an indoor cave with hundreds more –
definitely recommended. (5) Outside Portland, The Columbia River and its associated Gorge is a very beautiful
region of the country, with its wide river running at the bottom of this glacially created huge depression. On either
side of the river are pastures, fields of wild flowers and sections of forest. (6) The Multnomah Falls are one
highlight as are the many vistas and overlooks. (7) I turned off the Scenic Highway to go to the top of Larch
Mountain, where Sherrard Point provides an incredible view of the snow capped peaks of at least five large
mountains surrounding, including: Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, etc. (8) Portland in general has a bohemian, natural feel.
