Coos Bay, OR. Sunset Bay, Shore Acres State Park

This was a perfect day to visit Shore Acres State Park. Perched on a scenic bluff high above the Pacific Ocean, Shore Acres began as a private estate of pioneer lumberman and shipbuilder Louis J. Simpson.

I thought he was a very good looking man, sort of reminded me of Steve Lawrence..the singer.

This was the original house built in 1907....with swimming pools, ballrooms and everything you can wish for in a "Summer House". The gardens were landscaped with plants from all over the world. This House was burned to the ground in 1921...He then rebuilt it in 1927. He sold it to the state in 1942 and it was used for U.S. Army barracks and Officer's club during WW II.

This is at Sunset Bay, where the blackberry's grow wild everywhere....all over Oregon and Washington.

Then we come to the formal gardens of Shore Acres State Park where Louis built his mansion.

No, thats not Louis......

The Rhododendron's in this area are the most beautiful ones I have ever seen....I tried to grow them in front of our house in Greeley, but nothing like here.....

This is the "Gardeners House", the only structure left of the Simpson's buildings, all the rest were destroyed by fire or in such ruins, they had to be razed.....

The Oriental Garden's

I always thought they called this tree, 'Monkey Paws', but they called it a "Monkey Puzzle" tree.

None the less, there is a big Monkey standing in front of it.

More beautiful Rhodie's......the colors were outstanding.

This is Cape Arago State Park, and the dark brown rock like things at the bottom of the large

island are seals.....

This is closer up....

This is called Cape Arago Light House, but its at Gregory Point.

.....and how do you finish off a perfect day of sight-seeing ???? you ask ????

That's right, a shrimp cocktail at the local fish market.....