The stretch of Hwy 101 along the central Oregon coastline is pretty spectacular. It is a stretch of road that one must take it slowly – take your time and don’t try to drive and look at the same time. There are plenty of roadside pullouts for the gawking driver – and with such a gorgeous coastline, you are sure to be gawking. Each pullout offers amazing views of the ocean and rugged and rocky coastline. If the first pullout is full – never fear, as another one will just be a short distance away.
Devil’s Churn Wayside
Stop and get out of the car, feel the wind on your face, and the sound of the pounding waves below. Two especially scenic stops are the Devil’s Punchbowl and the Devil’s Churn. The Devil’s Punchbowl is found on a side road just off the highway north of Newport which takes you to a fascinating hole in the seafloor which is visible at low tide. The Devil’s Churn is further south and is a long crack in the rock where the waves are forced inland to bubble and churn. There is plenty of parking, public restrooms are available, and both offer views you won’t soon forget.
All photos by Dawn Woolcott
