19 May 2014

Knowledge Is A Beautiful Thing

For years I had stood on this spot.
 
 
Gazing out at the ever-changing sea and wonderful rock formations to the north...
(link to an earlier post which shows this rock formation--Twin Rocks--from a totally different angle)
 
 
Watching the many small boats cross from the relative safety of Tillamook Bay
 into the less tame Pacific Ocean.
 
 
Enjoying the action of the waves as they splashed against the boulders of the jetties,
and admiring the interesting rock formations to the south off Cape Meares
(part of Oregon Rocks NWR--as well as Twin Rocks pictured in the first photo).
Here's a link to more photos and info about the Oregon Rocks and other coastal NWRs:
 
 
Yep -- for years I had done all those things and more...
 
Our family has camped, --
climbed the sand dune,
made the short walk down to the sandy beach here
and had
brought our grandkids and DDD (dear daughter dog) to this wonderful place.
 
 
My Farmer Boy, Fisherman, part Mountain Goat, DH had even caught
and cleaned some yummy fish here
(BTW, Aimee does not share her beloved's love of, or talent for, jumping from rock to rock
on his way to some great fishing spot hence she has never caught some yummy fish here).
 
 
But, after all those many years, I didn't know all that was to be known about this place--
I didn't truly understand its full significance ;
I hadn't connected all the 'dots' yet.
 
 
I just knew it was special and that I LOVED it!
 
But then, a year or so ago, it finally dawned on me.
I had been standing on a part of our state's history all this time,
staring out at a place which was also part of the history.
 
Now I finally understood the role this northern jetty had played...
and just what it had cost the residents who once lived on that pretty spit
between the bay and ocean.
 
 
Then, as well as now,
it was a matter of money... 
One jetty, the north one where these photos were taken, was built and later enlarged...
the other jetty, the one to the south, wasn't.
The experts had recommended both be built...
 
The ocean is a beautiful place---but it is also an unforgiving powerful force of nature.
 
Today, where once there was a resort community,
no buildings remain--all lost to the sea or moved to safer locations like Cape Meares.
And that second jetty?
Well it was finally built, but too late for the residents who once swam in Bayocean's Natatorium,
strolled the peninsula's sandy beaches,
enjoyed the views of the bay to their east and the ocean to their west.
I would have liked LOVED to have visited there in the community's heyday,
when we last walked there decades ago not much was left...
but it still is a special place.
 
 
It just so happens that the Tillamook Pioneer Museum 
 is currently having an exhibit on Bayocean---
we've been there and it is well worth the time and very reasonable $4/person admission fee.
The Bayocean exhibit will be running till late July.
Besides this special exhibit, there's a LOT to see there.
Here is a link to their site:
  
So did you know the secret of the jetties of Tillamook Bay?
 
Blessings,
Aimee
 
Photos:
Barview County Park
Outside the Tillamook Pioneer Museum
 
Notes/Links:
(a great site with photos)
(more info, more photos)
(and more)
Yes. History is a passion for me...
it has been since I was 8
(or perhaps even before).
 
And for those who really LOVE detail (like I do)...
(Site contains pdf file with a lot of info, technical data and some photos too)
 
 
There's also a book about Bayocean written by Bert Webber that is very good.
 I bought mine a long time ago and 'devoured' it quickly :)
 
 
Sorry about the lighting...
it seems that I am always taking photos after or before the golden hours...
but on a positive note, it wasn't raining:)
 
 

14 comments:

Willow said...

Wow ~ that was quite interesting . i always enjoyed history as well Aimee . Thanks for this educating share:, as well as the cool parts about how you feel about the area :)

I hope you have a wonderful week !
Willow

Teresa Kasner said...

A great post about a wonderful place. I need to do some more adventuring in that area. You are a true traveler! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Betsy said...

That is fascinating history Aimee. I enjoy visiting Tillamook but didn't know any of this. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Betsy

aimee said...

@Willow~
Thank you! I am glad you found this post of interest. I didn't realize you enjoyed history too:) I am hoping to have a wonderful week as soon as this antibiotic kicks in...
Loved your baby robin pics today-spectacular!
Blessings,
Aimee

@Teresa~
Thanks! I think you would find it interesting given your involvement with Oregon's historical sites. I would like to learn more about the Native Americans and pioneer settlements in the area.
Blessings,
Aimee

@Betsy~
Thank you! I will try to add more Tillamook Bay (and north coast) places of interest as the weather turns nicer--God willing, of course!
Blessings,
Aimee

My Dog Sam - Ruptured Disk said...

Hmm...another place we have to check out. Thanks Aimee.

Linda W. said...

Your ocean photographs are wonderful! Makes me want to get down to the coast very soon.

Gracie Saylor said...

No! I did not know any of what you shared, Aimee! Thanks for your interesting post...now I am hankering to head to the beach...again!!! xx

aimee said...

@Sam~
You're welcome! We would love to have you visit Oregon! You would enjoy the sandy beaches and I am sure everyone would love you!
Blessings,
Aimee

@Linda~
Thank you! It wasn't the best lighting of the day, but it was beautiful at the coast with lots going on. You should come. Lots to do this time of the year :)
Blessings,
Aimee

@Gracie~
You are most welcome! Isn't it interesting? The story of Bayocean truly fascinates me. I just can't believe it took me so long to figure out the role the North Jetty played in its demise.
It has been such beautiful weather in Oregon lately (well except for the storm), anywhere is beautiful--but I do love the north coast and I know you love the ocean too:)
Blessings,
Aimee

Anonymous said...

Aimee,
Love your photos! Enjoy stopping by your blog! Thanks for stopping by my page to look and comment! Have a great one!!

aimee said...

@Jayne~
Thanks! I am glad you enjoyed your visit:)
Am enjoying my travels in Nebraska and South Dakota via your blog! Such an amazing country and we live in!
Blessings,
Aimee

My Dog Sam - Ruptured Disk said...

Wow, very nice.

aimee said...

@Sam~
Thanks Sam! Have a good Friday;)
Blessings,
Aimee

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

So interesting Aimee -- thanks for sharing your knowledge. We've been to that area more than a few times camping but I never knew about that community or the info about the jetties.... I hope we get to come back to the area one of these times and when we do I'll remember what you've taught me!

aimee said...

Happy to share some local history with other Oregon beach lovers! If you go, you'll have to check out Bayocean spit also!
Blessings,
Aimee

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