#294 -Heceta Lighthouse B&B

Keeper's House  

This charming Queen Anne-style duplex has been sitting high above the Oregon coast, for nearly 130 years.

The picket fence and porch looked welcoming when Don and I arrived, last February. The "Closed to Public" sign did not, but it made me grin....  Yay! We have reservations for a night!

Snowy Lighthouse!

It was snowing when we pulled up at 3:30. We were lucky to have made it out of Portland that morning. They'd had their second biggest snowfall in history.  

There was just a dusting on the coast, but the sight of the lighthouse on the hill looked extra dramatic. 

July 1996

Don and I were eager to finally see inside the Keeper's House. We were introduced to Heceta Lighthouse decades ago, by my sister and sister in law, who live 2 hours away. I remember pulling off the highway to take a photo, before we got close. The lighthouse and keeper's house seemed so far apart.

Our kids were all young when we visited that summer and spent a day at the beach. The cousins played in the sand near the Cape Creek Bridge. I think Scott is looking towards the lighthouse in this photo.

2023 Visit with Kate & Jennifer

It's been 27 years. The kids are grown and we parents are now grandparents. In February, we 4 had a different kind of lighthouse adventure. Kate, Jennifer, Don and I spent a night in the Keeper's House!

This is the only photo of the four of us, enjoying our less than 24 hour visit. We pretty much never stopped smiling, during our whole stay. And I never stopped taking photos. So, I'm indulging in way more "photo dumping" than usual. Smaller photos can be clicked to enlarge.

Summer 2021

Less than two years ago Don and I traveled the Oregon coast and snapped scenic photos. Far away... then closer... 

When we stopped near the beach, the red-roofed house was easy to spot, against the green backdrop. We stopped at the beach on this visit, also. My snowy image looks colorless. 

First to Arrive

After a beautiful (but often tricky) day of driving, we arrived and parked behind the house. I tried the buzzer at the side door, but there was no answer.

I  walked towards the front and looked out over the lawn, where the Head Keeper's house once stood. 

I climbed the porch and tried both doors. This had once been a duplex for 2 assistant keepers and their families.

Warm Inside!

Eventually Brooke heard the buzzer and rushed to let us in. She apologized that she'd been in the basement. Brooke welcomed us into the warm kitchen and let us know that the fridge and dishes and stove were all available to us.

She took us through the dining area, where breakfast would be served. The long table stretched through a wall opening, that wasn't there when the house was used by two families.

Music in the House

As we followed Brooke to the back staircase, I glanced into the 2 parlors, filled with antiques and old photographs. The beautiful burled upright piano was covered in frames.

The shelves on the pump organ held toys and treasures. It looked so much  like the antique organ that my sister and I grew up with. (Scary Halloween music was my specialty!) I thought about the families who lived here and how music would have helped with the isolation they must have felt.

Up the Stairs

The divided home had 2 sets of stairs, each leading to 3 guest rooms.

I paused halfway up, to look through the window, with its frame of colorful glass. I spotted Cape Creek Bridge.

Since 1932

It's been less than 2 years ago since Don and I stopped and studied the classic arch bridge. It's been carrying cars over Cape Creek, since 1932.

There was no Route 101 back when the lighthouse and keeper's houses were built. They had to wait over 3 decades for good road access.

Mariner's Room II

Brooke showed us to our room at the top of the stairs. Months before, I had studied the website, trying to choose the best of the 6 rooms. Did we want a view of the lighthouse to the north, or a more dramatic view of ocean?

We usually go for the cheapest, but we paid more to have one of the two  rooms, facing south over the ocean. The view was stunning and the room was cozy with fresh flowers and our very own ship's wheel!  

Bathrooms!

We also had the luxury of an attached bathroom. It was small, but only 2 of the guest rooms have connected bathrooms. 

Jennifer and Kate chose the Lightkeeper's Room. They had a view of the lighthouse and an impressive tub. They had to step into the hall to reach it, but it was for their own use. Some rooms share a bath. 

The View 129 Years Ago

As I enjoyed the blustery ocean scene, I wondered who might have studied this view,  in 1884. That was the year they began building the houses.

Before U.S. Highway 101 was built, the families living in this house must have felt so cut off from the world. I hope at least the families who lived here, got along.

For decades, there was only a single lane road and many supplies came by boat. I imagine the lighthouse kids were extra excited when they spotted a boat out on the horizon!  

In the Parlor

Around 4, Don and I headed downstairs to check out the parlors, while we waited for Jennifer and Kate. The parlor beneath our room had more seating, so we settled in and read some scrapbooks.

There were fireplaces in both parlors and we were invited to use them. I love a fireplace, even if it's burning pressed logs! 

Wine & Cheese Hour

By 4:30, Jennifer and Kate had arrived and we were settled in with a complimentary Happy Hour.

Brooke served us wine and 2 plates of meat, cheese and fruit. Music played softly in the background. Perfect.

Sunset

There wasn't much hope of a sunset with all the clouds, but we headed out just before 6 to enjoy some sky drama. Looking south, there was steam rising above the bridge. The trees looked frosty above.

We bundled up and and headed on the pathway towards the glowing light. 

Dusk at the Lighthouse

On a summer night, we would have grabbed the flashlights in our rooms and visited the lighthouse after dark. But our visit at dusk was ideal, on a winter night.

It was amazing to see the glowing Fresnel lens, with no one else around but us. The sky grew darker and we headed up a path, that took us above the lighthouse.

The beam of light was hypnotic as I watched it shine on the ocean, then the trees...then our faces! 

Snowy Light

As we wandered back down towards the house, the mix of snow and light became more entertaining.

The snow made the moving light sparkle!  How could we have been so lucky, to have a snowy lighthouse adventure?

Heading Back

It was hard to leave that magical place. I was almost ready to get our food and drink and have an icy picnic. But the glowing house looked so inviting.

Seeing the house across the "yard" it was fun to imagine earlier days, when there were 2 houses and maybe 3 families. Did the families celebrate holidays together or separately? Did the kids have schoolwork and chores?  

We returned to the illuminated porch. I could see our lit window on the right. Who slept in that room once?   

Cheers!

It felt good to get inside the warm house. We headed to the fridge to pull out our champagne and feasting foods! We toasted and ate and gabbed, until we heard the sound of some late arrivals. We no longer had the house to ourselves, but the couple seemed nice. They declined our offer of wine before heading upstairs.

We settled back into the comfy, green room. Jennifer and I eventually headed up (different staircases) to change into our jammies and robes. Extra comfy for game playing! Cards Against Humanity got sillier, the longer we played.  We had to whisper and laugh silently, after 10 pm. That's very hard for certain sisters.

Morning

We left the curtains wide open to wake us. I peeked out at 6:42 to see this beautiful scene.

The water was a little calmer and I saw a light on the horizon. I imagined a boat bringing food and supplies...

Clear and Cold

An hour and a half later, the window was still icy, but the sun looked warm.

I opened the window and stuck my head out over the red roof. I could see the bridge to the south and the flagpole to the north. The lighthouse was just a pinch out of view.

Breakfast Feast

At 8:30 we gathered at the long lace-covered table, set for 6, with fresh flowers.

We settled in with our coffee and got to know the very nice couple that had arrived late. I didn't ask if they'd heard our muffled laughter the night before.

7-Courses

Barbara was our server for the 7-course breakfast. We began with fresh fruit  and cranberry bread.

The portions and pace was actually perfect. Barbara never rushed, but the courses just kept coming. Frozen mango Lassi was like dessert! The small crab cake with capers had a delicious sauce. Then there was an egg soufflé with sausage, followed by a sort of angel food cake with berries! Did I leave something out?

At one point I looked out the window behind me and saw Chef Arianna, snipping something from the snow covered garden. Minutes later, she delivered the last course, of fruit and cheese. She laughed that we'd seen her getting some fennel.

Time!

During our 1.5 hours at the table, the grandfather clock must have chimed 6 times. We shared lots of stories with our table-mates. Jennifer shared that she'd actually stayed in the Keeper's House 30+ years ago. She was attending a writer's workshop and guests slept in bunkbeds, not lovely guest rooms. 

Tony told about the eruption of Mount St. Helen's. He'd viewed the skies from his office window, in Portland. As we shared and talked, I saw the blue skies out the window. I wanted time to slow down. I hated that we had to leave soon.

Porch time

My best hotel memories involve great porches! I was eager to get outside and enjoy at least a moment of that wraparound porch. On my way out, I passed a photo of 3 men, sitting on the same porch. During WWII, the Coast Guard Beach Patrol guarded the beaches and lived in bunkers on the property.

Jennifer and Kate had wisely packed binoculars. They actually spotted a whale before I got out there!

The Keeper's House had lots of porch blankets available for guests. I made use for a short time, then pulled myself up from the Adirondack chair and headed inside.

History Lesson

​Brooke was back on duty at 10:30, to offer a history talk in the north parlor. After spending the night and wondering about the people who lived and worked here, it was nice to have Brooke's knowledge. 

I loved seeing the 1907 photo of Keeper, Frank and his bride Jenny. The first marriage of many at Heceta.

The 30 minute talk was just perfect for our schedule.  But, I still needed one more night, to hang out and study old photos and imagine the work that went on, to keep the property running. And I needed more porch time.

One More Hike Up

Don and I had a long drive ahead, but we joined Jennifer and Kate for one last dash up the hill before leaving.

The lighthouse looked completely different, on a sunny morning.

We had hoped to tour the lighthouse at 11, but it was late opening that day.

Instead, Jennifer and I hiked up once again and this time we went a little further up.

We took photos of the view... and each other. Jennifer looks much more impressive, shooting with her Nikon.

I was just happy to be alive, since I had a couple slow-motion slapstick moments, slipping on the steep muddy path. My sister had to rescue me twice, while we both laughed hysterically. I'm pretty sure the people standing below near the lighthouse, enjoyed the show.

What's Notable?

​This is my only photo from the visit, that shows both the lighthouse and the house. The Lighthouse and The Keeper's House... that's what this stay was all about! 

I really can't believe we slept in a house, where lighthouse keepers once slept. I can't believe we got to enjoy 2 hikes up to the lighthouse. One in the snowy evening and one in the sunny morning. And then there's that ocean...!

What's Notable-er!
 
The really notable part of our stay was that we enjoyed a special place, with special family. I wish we could have rented the whole place and enjoyed it with our kids.  Maybe someday!

Of course I'll never forget the view from our comfortable, cozy room! I'll remember that the morning feast was heavenly and the staff was gracious and friendly! But I think my fondest memory will be of the evening we spent sharing and laughing in the green parlor... inside the white & red Keeper's House! Cheers to a shared Notable Night!