March 23, 24, 2013 Eugene/Old Town Florence/Oregon Coastal Highway/Darlingtonia State Nature Site

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Overlooking the city of Eugene Shelton McMurphy Johnson House City of Eugene from the Shelton McMurphy Johnson House Redwoods beside the house Eugene train depot art

Another uneventfully lazy day spent stocking up on food for all of us, something that can be eaten in our room.  Afternoon was spent wandering around the city checking out other things to do in Eugene.  We drove to the top of the highest point to look out over the city and stopped in at the Shelton, McMurphey, Johnson House to check winter hours.  Drove to the train station to view some of the downtown art then an early lunch at our favorite pizza café, walks in the park with the pups and dinner at our favorite fish market.

Out our window  Along Rt 126 Moss on trees along Rt 126

Next day early up, breakfast at our Inn, then off down Rt 126 to Florence to see some of the sites along Hwy 101 on the coast.  We followed the river most of the way to Hwy 101.  Lots of mossy trees along the river, mountains with clear cut areas and reforestation in several stages as required by Oregon state law.

Florance, OR  Another Art Deco Bridge in Florance, OR

Lunch at a cozy eatery suggested by TripAdvisor in the Old Town part of Florence.  Got a shot of a wonderful old bridge, Art Deco style, the Oregon Coastal Highway, connecting Florence with towns across the river.

You can tell that the logging industry took much from the area when it declined.  Old crumbled metal building, piers broken off and rotting in the water, signs that marked past business trade along the river, all no longer in use.

Hwy 101 towards Florance

Several state and national parks link Hwy 101 providing areas to stop and stretch our legs.  The pups enjoyed the walks and exploring each stop.

Botanical Gardens entrance Yellow along the Darlingtonia trail  Darlingtonia Wayside Darlingtonia State Natural Site Darlingtonia Californica

One little gem, Darlingtonia State Nature Site, would have been a great spot to visit in the summer.  A whole area of bug eating plants with nothing to eat until the weather warms.  It was a beautiful walk through the forested area, up onto the wooden wharf to view the Darlingtonia Californica (bug eating plants) and then back to the picnic area.

Holeman Vista, John and the pups Holeman Vista Sand Dunes Holeman Vista

Holeman Vista was another great stop with paths along the coastal sand dunes lined with scruffy brush.  One thing about visiting in the winter and early spring months, it is usually sparse of people.

Red Winged Black Bird Geese flying over bird sanctuary Slug on the bird sanctuary path

On the way back to Eugene we stopped at a bird sanctuary and watched the ducks, various birds and geese fly around in the fields and in the skies.  KatieBug found an interesting slug and Millie found a dead rooster…I didn’t take a picture of the dead rooster.