Newport to Lincoln City at Day's End

Before leaving Newport, OR, the Dungeness Crab Capital of the World and home to Oregon’s largest fishing fleet, we stopped at an overlook to view some of the town’s major attractions.

The Yaquina Bay Bridge, probably the most photographed bridge on the coast, is more than a highway over water.

“The spectacular arch bridge that spans Yaquina Bay in Newport is an art form in itself. Oregon's visionary bridge engineer Conde McCullough believed bridges should be beautiful as well as economical and efficient. The Yaquina Bay Bridge is a fine example of his work, with a combination of both steel and concrete arches and is one of the most recognizable of the 14 bridges on U.S. Highway 101 that McCullough designed.

"The main span of the 3223-foot structure is a 600-foot steel arch flanked by identical 350-foot steel arches. Four reinforced concrete supports in an art deco style extend high above the deck. The bridge was completed September 6, 1936.

“Unfortunately it also bypassed Newport's bayfront district, creating a decline in business until tourism efforts brought visitors back to the popular area. The Yaquina Bay Bridge can be seen from many vantage points, including the adjacent lighthouse property” (Stella Bennett at coastexplorermagazine.com/features/yaquina-bay-bridge).

And it is from the vantage point noted above that one has this view of the historic Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Oregon's tallest and second oldest continuously operating lighthouse.

“With construction completed, the fixed white light was illuminated on the night of August 20, 1873, when Head Keeper Fayette Crosby lit the 4-wick lamp fueled by lard oil” (blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/yaquina/lighthouse).

And, again, from this same point, we had a view of Nye Beach.

After the day in Newport, we headed back to Lincoln City, which is often referred to as the Kite-flying Capital of the Oregon Coast. We had just missed the second of the year’s two kite festivals (June and October), but from a vantage point overlooking the town’s beach, we could imagine the flights of many kites.

On this particular evening, however, the beach was relatively quiet. .

As we watched sunset approach, the pace of activity slowed from jogging,

to standing,

walking,

bird watching,

talking in small numbers,

playing,

and, finally, as the shadows grew longer,

watching

as the sun set.