More Pictures along the way - April 16th - Back to Devils Punch Bowl and more Wine tasting

On Wednesday we decided to backtrack down to the Devil's Punch Bowl to see it at high tide. When we saw it the first time, it was low tide with very little water in the "Punch Bowl". We got lucky and arrived just before high tide so got to see water rushing in.

The coast in that area is really beautiful with the rocky shore line and sheer cliffs.
As I wandered around the side of the headland where the Devil's Punch Bowl was, I saw three birds rafting in the water that I believe are Murres, the same type of birds we saw at Cape Meares in Washington. Unfortunately, I did not have my telephoto lens with me and by the time I got it and went back to get a close up, they had flown away.

Just up the road from the Punch Bowl is a scenic drive along the ocean that is the old Route 101. At one point it becomes one way as erosion has taken the lane closest to the water.

Along this road is another Conde McCullough bridge. At this same stop, looking in the opposite direction (Southwest) was a house on the bluff with the waves crashing against the cliffs below it. The house was made of stone and with the ocean winds and salt, is probably the lowest maintenance construction in the area. It was a very cool looking house.
Along the scenic detour we were taken up to a scenic view overlooking the Devil's Punch Bowl. The middle promonotory is the one with the Punch Bowl.
Since we were backtracking I thought we ought to backtrack and hit a couple more wineries as well. We drove back through McMinnville toward Dundee and stopped at the Domaine Serene winery which sits up on a hill. We saw the buildings from the main road and wondered if it was winery. When we got to Domaine Serene, we discovered it was. The location, buildings and atmosphere is very upscale. The wines are mostly Pinot Noir. I tasted several of their wines and they were okay but I think they are created for those that can keep them in a wine cellar for several years. They were young and tasted it to me. They were also quite pricey running from $45 to $75 per bottle. We decided not to purchase any at this stop.













Our final winery stop in Oregon was Torii Mor. Again, we had to drive up in the hills above Dundee but it was worth it. The wine was very good, the host was knowledgeable and easy to talk with. At this winery they have you taste 8 wines. Definitely couldn't drink all that was poured and drive so shared the whites with Diane. Their Pinot Blanc was very good and Diane liked it as well. We purchased a bottle to have with dinner that evening. They also had a Chardonnay, several Pinot Noirs, a Cabernet Saugignon and the tastng ended with a Reisling. They were all nice and a great choice for a stop if you are tasting wine in the Willamette Valley. I will be looking for their wine in stores when I get home.

After the wine tasting, we headed across back roads to Tillamook for the night. Tomorrow we are off to Astoria as our last stop in Oregon before heading on to Washington state.