West Coast Wonder
Photographer and adventurer Yen Yap spends three days trekking the Oregon Coast, and takes us along for the journey.
Written & Photographed by Yen Yap
There are a wealth of photos of the Oregon Coast on social media, and having trawled through them our group of four was eager to explore its beauty for ourselves. We set aside three days out of our trip to do just that. Having come from a relatively flat island in Asia, I was particularly excited by the diversity of terrain – aged and towering trees, cliff tops, sandy beaches and natural waterfalls. When we finally arrived, I couldn’t help but be blown away by the natural beauty of the coast, its bluest hues of sky and sea. It exceeded all expectations and even now, looking at these photos, I realize that they do little justice to capture the vast landscape and the beautiful moments we spent along the coast.
As we picnicked at Ecola State Park alongside other families on their summer vacation, I found myself taking in the view, squinting at the glorious sun and sea stacks, and feeling so much gratitude at the chance to explore this part of the world with these friends and to be able to build memories that will last for a lifetime.
The three days were filled to the brim with ice cream and memories – of running away from the tides at Hug Point, of a beach picnic at Cape Kiwanda, of the pebbled beach and a wonderful view of the lighthouse at Yaquina Head.
After a long day of exploring, we shared some quieter moments around a bonfire outside our rented yurt that opened up to a small slice of beach, retiring slowly with the day. Chewing on s’mores and sipping cider, we swapped stories and despite the anticipation of the adventures that tomorrow would bring, there was a collective sense of peace that made the time all the more sweeter.
