We went back south today to Cannon Beach, which is a coastal town with a beautiful beach and one of the largest monoliths in the world. Haystack Rock (a different one than in Pacific City) reaches 235 feet above the ocean and is the third largest inter-tidal (it can be reached at low tide) structure in the world. It is part of Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuges, which means that the tufted puffins that nest atop it, and the marine life in the tide pools are all protected. It is also the rock formation from the Goonies movie – can you see One Eyed Willie?

Mike: Who are the Goonies?

Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach

Birds

After a walk on the beach we strolled into the southern part of town and checked out an antique shop or two, before driving into the town proper and wandering through some really neat shops that sold all kinds of touristy things.

Mike and a Puffin

Me and my new guy

With my own puffins

We almost made it to Ecola State Park but Nell got us a little lost. We did get to see some really lovely houses on our detour and when we did eventually find the entrance to the park we decided to skip it and head back up the coast instead.