The Needles near Haystack Rock

It was one of those days you cannot plan.  There were so many unexpected joys, starting with a gorgeous sunrise on Manzanita Beach and fresh hot coffee.  We decided to head to Cannon Beach, but as we passed Arch Cape I remembered that I had seen a photo of a suspension bridge that was near this area, so we pulled off Hwy 101 in search of this treasure.  Somehow I recalled a creek that emptied into the ocean right near the tunnel entrance, and almost by some miracle drove right to the bridge down the old "Shingle Mill Road".  We parked and walked across the suspension bridge into what was once an old growth forest.  Those massive trunks were still there in testament to how old those trees must have been...reminding us how special our forest are, and how we must preserve them.  The solitude, with only the birds breaking the silence, was so special.  The oxygen...it was all so perfectly beautiful!   We spent a little time hiking up the trail and then decided it was on to "Cannon Beach" before we lost the early morning sun.

Cannon Beach, and it's famous Haystack Rock, did not disappoint.  We walked the beach for a long time, and reveled in the massive rock, the crashing waves, the Harlequin Ducks...it was all just a bit too much to take in.

Then it was on to Seaside for lunch and a visit to drop off my some artwork for an upcoming show.  All around a perfect day!!!

More photos on flickr (106)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sherriestahl/albums/72157658604949929