On the last day of winter, eight members of the Friends of the Umpqua
Hiking Club met under cloudy skies to hike at Cape Argo.  The group
divided up into two cars and set off in the rain wondering what the
skies were to deliver next.  Arriving at Sunset Bay, they started up
the forested trail to the sandstone bluffs.  Once on top and looking
out over the rugged cliffs where the ocean meets the shore , the group
was treated to the sight of  the huge waves  generated by tremendous
tide action  arising from the effects of  an unusually large full moon
which only happens every decade or so.   Next, arching over the old
abandoned lighthouse, a huge rainbow came out to add sparkle to the
rain drops.   Awesome rainbow.

 The group followed the cliff edge, stopping at the many view points
along the cliffs.  Bypassing the Shore Acres Gardens, they followed
the trail down to Simpson’s Cove and stood transfixed at the huge
waves crashing onto the triangle beach of the cove.  Climbing back up
the trail, the group arrived at the parking pullout with its
pay-for-view binoculars trained on the sea lions on Seal Island.  At
that point, the group divided up into two groups of four; the faster
more strenuous hikers, went off across the road to the trail which
climbs up and down the adjacent wooded hills.  The others kept along
the shore line treasuring the rugged coastline scenery. Everyone  met
in the picnic area at the Cape Arago State Park for lunch.   At that
point, the skies delivered harder rain which turned into sleet
accompanied by really strong winds so the whole party moved their
lunches to the covered pavilion, in a vain attempt to keep dry and
warm.  Only two (John shepherding an errant hiker) ventured out across
the cliffs of the Cape to the very edge of the rocky promontory where
the waves were breaking with tremendous force.

After lunch, the two groups of four divided as before, one group
climbing back to the hills to explore the old World War II  bunker and
the other made its way down to Shore Acres to see what is blooming in
this cold, wet, almost spring season, (daffodils).   On the way back
one carload found a good ice cream place in Coquille, Figaros,   That
carload was also the recipient of one final gift from the sky, east of
Remote, they saw another awesome rainbow with yet more vibrant colors
than the morning’s rainbow.
The group commended John for leading a hike with all the elements of a
great day; views of tremendous wave action, wonderful rainbows,
satisfying exertion and interesting weather.

”Great waves looked over others coming in, and thought of doing
something to the shore that water never did to land before.”  Robert
Frost, Once by the Pacific.