Tillamook Rock Lighthouse August 25, 2016 Boat
Trip
I
had the great opportunity to take a boat trip
from Astoria, Oregon to the
Tillamook Rock Lighthouse on August 25,
2016. This was a scheduled outing
with The Columbia River Maritime Museum and a
video team from a Portland
Public Broadcasting Company to document the
lighthouse, and its unique and
special history along the Oregon
coastline. Through the kind efforts of Jim
Furnish of Gearhart/Seaside, I was asked to be
the personal photographer
for this fantastic journey. I had full
permission to access any of the decks
on the ship, IRONWOOD, which was based out of
Tongue Point, Astoria. I
stayed on the top observation deck for the
entire 8 hour excursion, and was
able to snap over 1200 high resolution images.
The best of the best follow, with descriptions
where necessary. My wife,
Karen stayed on shore to document with stills
and video recording using our
400mm telephoto lens from the trail just north
of Indian Beach some 1 1/2
miles from the lighthouse. Interestingly
enough, she is hidden just behind
the lighthouse in the above image!
Karen at the camera/tripod on the trail at 273
feet elevation.
Here is Seaside from north of the lighthouse...
The ship traveled 1 1/2 hours to clear the
Columbia River Bar and head south
along the coast line 3-4 miles out. This
first image of significance shows the
'rock' with a temperature layer distorting the
base of the lighthouse, and was
taken about three miles from our goal after
another 1 1/2 hours. To the far
left is Haystack Rock (also distorted) in Cannon
Beach.
Sea Lion Rock is just to the left edge of the
'rock'.
Ecola Park is behind and above the smaller
'rock', with Ecola Point to the far
right edge.
In this view, the boat is looking down the full
length of the gap between the
two parts of the 'rock'.
The boat is now due east of the
lighthouse, with Indian Point at the far right
edge, and Bird Point behind the 'rock'.
The above images were taken while pretty much
looking into the sun, so as the
boat went around to the south west, south,
southeast, and east, the imagery
improved to a great deal....so, let's continue
around the 'rock'...
Now that we have made a complete circle around
the lighthouse, let's look at
the seals and sea lions...
These guys were on the very west end, hidden
from shore...
Now a few more distant views, which I believe
are the best!
Now for some closeups of the lantern housing
Now to the entire lighthouse building
structure....
Additional closeups of the grounds and
buildings...
Yes, there are exactly 73 steps!
The derrick operations room
Two views of the actual derrick (what's left of
it)...
Now, just a few closing images....
The south 'rock' outcropping...
Two views of Whale rock....
Parting shot of 'Three Finger Jack'
Seaside from about 3 miles out, and on our way
home....