I recently returned from a quick, yet memorable road trip to Seattle and the Oregon coast. I traveled north for five days via stuffed Subaru to deliver artwork to Bainbridge Island and catch up with old friends and business associates. It was stormy and cold in the "Emerald City," yet my visit was greatly enjoyed. On the way back to San Francisco, I explored a touch of the Oregon coast.

Thor's Well (pictured above and below) is a fascinating site within Cape Perpetua. When the character of the tide and direction and size of the waves resonate fully, this mysterious dark hole, a cauldron-like space, groans and belches sea water in a massive burst upward into the air (think ocean geyser). After a second or two of flight, this column of water comes crashing back down to earth and splatters across black lava rocks. As each wave in the cave below recedes, the pools of surface water are sucked aggressively downward into the world below. The sound effects evoke a sense of raw power. At an intimate distance, the whole scene is quite eery.

Most of the day, Thor's Well is either hidden (covered by the sea) or dry and empty in a non-impressive state. On my way down the coast, I reviewed the tide tables and timing for the sunset. I was fortunate to catch a strong visual display for several hours. Captivating.

In truth, when the biggest waves hit the coast, the rocks below my feet trembled. More than once, I reflected on a possible evacuation plan. I kept my backpack on my shoulders and visualized my ability to scramble quickly over  uneven rocks toward shore if needed. Occasional "rogue" waves and the force of the ocean in a rising tide have a colorful way of clarifying one's vulnerability and lack of control. For most of my visit, I kept my camera under a large plastic bag to avoid a salt water soaking. This proved essential.

After viewing a few images from this location and hearing my stories, a friend expressed her view: "If you had been sucked deep into that scary dark hole and disappeared forever, your camera might still have been saved. Perhaps, a legend would have been born!" That's an uplifting thought.

Thor's Well is a fascinating place. See it in full form if you can.

Here too, I was fortunate.

Just as I arrived, the rain slowly stopped. The wind settled into a warm breeze. The light was fading. I quickly parked my car and rummaged through my bags. I gathered rubber boots, a rain jacket, and a backpack. Off I went to explore the seashore. The impact of the storm lingered. Cannon Beach was quiet, shiny, still, and mystical. To the south and north, a misty haze hovered over the horizon. For me, the scene held a touch of magic.