Finding peace and beauty at Oregon’s Cape Perpetua

IMG_20160612_112710756[1] In light of current events, I think we could all use a little peace and beauty. Yesterday I ran away to Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, a wonderful park about 25 miles south of my home. The sun was shining, although the cool breeze made me glad I was wearing my sweatshirt. I took a trail and then another and then . . . realized I’d never get back to my car if I kept walking, so I backtracked and sat overlooking the incredible ocean view with my journal.I breathed in the quiet and relaxed. A sparrow kept me company. My photos only hint at the gorgeousness of this place. Admission is $5 for day use, but there’s a great campground for those who want to stay longer. The visitors center offers lots of information, frequent nature talks, movies, and books. I found out the names of the flowers I’d been seeing and learned which of them I can eat. Salmonberries, yes. Foxglove, no! If you find yourself on the Oregon coast, definitely stop at Cape Perpetua. Meanwhile, enjoy the pictures.

IMG_20160612_112857642_HDR[1] — After starting on the Whispering Spruce trail, I came upon this rock shelter. Note guitar in opening on the right. Inside, a young musician was posing for a photo shoot.

IMG_20160612_110927911[1] — The path wasn’t always smooth like this. Along the Amanda trail, I encountered steep ups and downs and some pretty gnarly roots, along with this tree, below, that looked like a chair.

IMG_20160612_105943801[1] — World getting you down? Turn off the Internet, find a path, and go.

All contents copyright Sue Fagalde Lick 2016. Publish without permission, and my dog Annie will eat you for lunch.

Author: Sue Fagalde Lick

writer/musician California native, Oregon resident Author of Freelancing for Newspapers, Shoes Full of Sand, Azorean Dreams, Stories Grandma Never Told, Childless by Marriage, and Up Beaver Creek. Most recently, I have published two poetry chapbooks, Gravel Road Ahead and The Widow at the Piano: Confessions of a Distracted Catholic. I have published hundreds of articles, plus essays, fiction and poetry. I'm also pretty good at singing and playing guitar and piano. View all posts by Sue Fagalde Lick