Only a guy with a little Devil in him would offer his sweetheart a bouquet of sea palms washed ashore by a turbulent ocean. She wasn’t too impressed. (Photograph by Peggy but the words are all mine.)
If place names are any judge, the Devil does get around. There are literally dozens if not hundreds of locations in the US named after him. New England seems to win the prize for the most, which is understandable since the Puritans were among its first settlers. They saw Hell in just about everything.
The Oregon Coast has more than its share of Devilish locations, however. There are 10 places along the coast alone that bear his name. Among them are the Devil’s Punch Bowl, Cauldron and Churn and various body parts including his Elbow and Backbone. I was reminded of the various cathedrals in Europe that stock up on the bones of saints to impress the holy and solicit their offerings.
Peggy and I dropped by his Kitchen on our visit last week to Bandon, Oregon. I’d been there before and speculated in a blog on how the Kitchen got its name. The answer provided by the sign-board seemed a little prosaic in comparison to my speculation. It had to do with the cold waters of the ocean bringing a rich brew of nutrients to the surface that were eaten by plankton, that were eaten by small fish, that were eaten by bigger fish, that were eaten by still bigger fish, that were eaten by seals, otters, and a whole host of seabirds, not to mention people and anything else that could sink their teeth into them.
Possibly if you were on the receiving end of this long chain of being eaten, you might think that the Devil was involved.
I’d still go with a Devil rock like this. Stare at it long enough after imbibing in your favorite mind altering drug and who knows what you might see. After a mere two glasses of wine I saw four sets of dead eyes staring back at me. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)This large crooked rock towered above the Devil rock above. That’s kelp buried in the sand to the right of it.
Mainly, Peggy and I saw a beautiful beach with some great sea stacks, crashing waves, impressive homes, driftwood, a quiet stream, and two driftwood forts that had either been built by energetic kids eager to fight pirates or adults reliving their childhood. I could see our son Tony enthusiastically joining his three sons on such a project.
The large sea stack just off the coast from Devil’s Kitchen is known as Haystack Rock.Peggy discovered that a cave ran all the way through the massive rock and allowed the ocean to flow through. It is one of many such caves in the rocks off the coast of Bandon. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)I took a close up. At a really low tide, you could probably walk through to the other side.One thing, we had no problem social distancing on the beach at Devil’s Kitchen, as Peggy demonstrates. We were still carrying our masks, however.It had been storming the day before and waves were still crashing ashore.Some very impressive homes had been built on the cliffs above the beach. I figured this house could easily accommodate a large family with a dozen kids, or maybe 20. I’m a small-house type of person but with a dozen kids, I would definitely want this one!And another oneI was even more impressed by the rock in front of the house. I’d almost feel safe in case of a Tsunami. This section of the coast is threatened by a giant one as the Juan De Fuca Oceanic Plate continues it dive under the North American Continental Plate and threatens a massive earthquake. The last really big one with a rating of over 9 on the Richter scale was in 1700 and they are known to occur every 300-500 years. It could be a hundred years from now. Or tomorrow. I’d blame the Devil.This driftwood fort was not quite as fancy as the houses but a heck of a lot less expensive. A mom and three kids were playing in it. “Can I take a photo?” Peggy asked. The answer was, “Of course.” You can barely see the family. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)I found this driftwood fort just around the corner. It had been decorated with rocks and kelp.It was built at the base of an impressive rock.While on the subject of driftwood, I though this piece set off by ocean grass was rather attractive.
Piles of kelp and other sea treasures had been ripped away from their firm attachments to rocks by the stormy seas the day before and were left behind on the beach.
Piles of kelp like this were found strewn over the beach at Devil’s Kitchen and other beaches along the coast neat Bandon.Peggy took this close up of the kelp.This photo gives an idea of the length of the kelp plant from where it is attached to a rock on the ocean floor up to its leaves.This shot I took of a family carrying a kelp gives an even better idea!Here’s another use for kelp that I confess I have tried on occasion— using it as a whip. It is so tempting! And also a bit devilish. Get thee behind me Satan.Kelp wasn’t the only thing ripped from the rocks. Peggy was charmed by this plant and took its photo. Note the roots. All of these plants had ways of attaching themselves to rocks that resist all but the most powerful of ocean waves.Like these mussels and barnacles we found on the Devil’s Kitchen beach, for example. I think that the mussels had been harvested by seabirds.I’ll conclude today with this impressive pile of kelp backed up by the Pacific Ocean and Haystack Rock.
NEXT POST: We will be traveling up to the next beach north, Face Rock with its marvelous sea stacks.
Hard to beat the beaches of the West Coast, Cindy. I particularly like the beaches of Northern California, Oregon and Washington. As for the house, someone either had a heck of a lot of kids or a heck of a lot of money. 🙂 I did thing that it fit in surprisingly well given its size. –Curt
It sounds and looks like you had a great day. I guess the silver lining to the COVID cloud is that when you can get away, there aren’t the crowds. We have been enjoying walks in parks near our new home – but we too keep masks in our pockets in case we should encounter someone else on a narrow path.
Surprisingly, as popular as Bandon is, Ray, I’ve never seen crowded beaches there. But I do try to keep my visits to the fall, winter and spring. We did have a great day. We never tire of playing on the Oregon Coast. Always beautiful. –Curt
Great photos! I love the plain but bold, foreboding rocks, the sea kelp on the beach, and the whole, almost bleak area. Thanks for posting. I’d love to see Devil’s Kitchen!
What a gorgeous beach–you make me want to pack up for the ocean 🙂 Oddly named though for sure–my favorite fishing creek in northern Minnesota is called Devil’s Track. I’ve never run into anything more sinister there than trout, but…
Thanks for another photo-vacation, Curt.
Possibly a bad day of mosquitoes led to the name, Devil’s to Track! That can happen in Minnesota. 🙂 It is a beautiful beach. I think that Face Rock State Park featured in my next post is even more beautiful. Thanks, Anne. –Curt
Ha! Yes, that would make sense. We’re only half joking when we say that they are the MN state bird and are capable of carrying off small children.
Looking forward to seeing it! -Anne
I’ve spent some mosquito filled days in Minnesota, but they seemed worse in Maine and Alaska. I think it wasn’t prime time for mosquitos when I have traveled through the state. 🙂 –Curt
We only visited Devil’s Tower, speaking of him LOL.. and who knows maybe the Craters of the Moon was his home😉
Anyway, it looks like you’ve had a lot of fun, the beaches are always nice!
Christie
Laughing, I agree with you on Craters of the Moon, Christie. What a barren landscape that is! But still, I like it. You can see why early astronauts used it for training for trips to the moon. Fun, yes. We love playing on the coast. Thanks, Curt
I really enjoyed this. Somewhere I have a few photos of northern california beaches, and of course they show kelp. We have a Devil’s River state natural area that looks like it might be right up your alley. I don’t have the 8 plys or the high clearance vehicle they recommend to get there, but it sure looks like a great place to explore.
I really like the plant that Peggy took the photos of, and the family carrying that kelp is fantastic. I had no idea it could grow that long.
Looked at the park Linda, and it does look like a place that Peggy and I would enjoy.
Wasn’t the family carrying the kelp fun. I could not have found a better way to illustrate how long it grows.
I passed on you comment on the plant to Peggy. Thanks. –Curt
You missed Seven Devil’s beach just a bit north of Bullards. 😉 It’s actually one of the beaches you can drive on. Summers often bring gangs of kite surfers.
You have me missing my strolls on the beaches of Bandon. Devil’s Kitchen was always a good choice when the beaches closer to Old Town were too crowded. 😉 Funny thing is that when summer brought the crowds, they often encountered the very worst of the weather when the wind shifted and came down from the north. Great time for the perfect face peel… Good time to head elsewhere.
You’ve mentioned the Seven Devil’s Beach before, Gunta. I really do need to get up there.
And yes, my experience on Northwest beaches (going back to the 60s including Northern and Central California) has always shown that some of the best days are in the fall, winter and spring! But a beach day has always been a treat, regardless of the weather. Thanks. –Curt
Wandering through Time and Place 
I think it is all heavenly and gorgeous, including that house!
Hard to beat the beaches of the West Coast, Cindy. I particularly like the beaches of Northern California, Oregon and Washington. As for the house, someone either had a heck of a lot of kids or a heck of a lot of money. 🙂 I did thing that it fit in surprisingly well given its size. –Curt
Wow, that house is huge. And no shortage of kelp.
I’d get lost in something that big, Peggy. 🙂 Possibly the most kelp I have seen brought in by a storm. –Curt
It sounds and looks like you had a great day. I guess the silver lining to the COVID cloud is that when you can get away, there aren’t the crowds. We have been enjoying walks in parks near our new home – but we too keep masks in our pockets in case we should encounter someone else on a narrow path.
Surprisingly, as popular as Bandon is, Ray, I’ve never seen crowded beaches there. But I do try to keep my visits to the fall, winter and spring. We did have a great day. We never tire of playing on the Oregon Coast. Always beautiful. –Curt
Well, I sure don’t have to ask WHY it’s called Devil’s Kitchen. Great shots from both of you!
Thanks, G. We had fun. Each time we go there, I seek out something else devilish. 🙂 –Curt
Great photos! I love the plain but bold, foreboding rocks, the sea kelp on the beach, and the whole, almost bleak area. Thanks for posting. I’d love to see Devil’s Kitchen!
It’s waiting for you, Rusha. 🙂 Thanks. –Curt
What a gorgeous beach–you make me want to pack up for the ocean 🙂 Oddly named though for sure–my favorite fishing creek in northern Minnesota is called Devil’s Track. I’ve never run into anything more sinister there than trout, but…
Thanks for another photo-vacation, Curt.
Possibly a bad day of mosquitoes led to the name, Devil’s to Track! That can happen in Minnesota. 🙂 It is a beautiful beach. I think that Face Rock State Park featured in my next post is even more beautiful. Thanks, Anne. –Curt
Ha! Yes, that would make sense. We’re only half joking when we say that they are the MN state bird and are capable of carrying off small children.
Looking forward to seeing it! -Anne
I’ve spent some mosquito filled days in Minnesota, but they seemed worse in Maine and Alaska. I think it wasn’t prime time for mosquitos when I have traveled through the state. 🙂 –Curt
We only visited Devil’s Tower, speaking of him LOL.. and who knows maybe the Craters of the Moon was his home😉
Anyway, it looks like you’ve had a lot of fun, the beaches are always nice!
Christie
Laughing, I agree with you on Craters of the Moon, Christie. What a barren landscape that is! But still, I like it. You can see why early astronauts used it for training for trips to the moon. Fun, yes. We love playing on the coast. Thanks, Curt
Gorgeous beach, and some beautiful photos.
Alison
Thanks, Alison. More impressive sea stacks coming. –Curt
I really enjoyed this. Somewhere I have a few photos of northern california beaches, and of course they show kelp. We have a Devil’s River state natural area that looks like it might be right up your alley. I don’t have the 8 plys or the high clearance vehicle they recommend to get there, but it sure looks like a great place to explore.
I really like the plant that Peggy took the photos of, and the family carrying that kelp is fantastic. I had no idea it could grow that long.
Looked at the park Linda, and it does look like a place that Peggy and I would enjoy.
Wasn’t the family carrying the kelp fun. I could not have found a better way to illustrate how long it grows.
I passed on you comment on the plant to Peggy. Thanks. –Curt
You missed Seven Devil’s beach just a bit north of Bullards. 😉 It’s actually one of the beaches you can drive on. Summers often bring gangs of kite surfers.
You have me missing my strolls on the beaches of Bandon. Devil’s Kitchen was always a good choice when the beaches closer to Old Town were too crowded. 😉 Funny thing is that when summer brought the crowds, they often encountered the very worst of the weather when the wind shifted and came down from the north. Great time for the perfect face peel… Good time to head elsewhere.
You’ve mentioned the Seven Devil’s Beach before, Gunta. I really do need to get up there.
And yes, my experience on Northwest beaches (going back to the 60s including Northern and Central California) has always shown that some of the best days are in the fall, winter and spring! But a beach day has always been a treat, regardless of the weather. Thanks. –Curt