Lee and Karen Duquette,
The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
enjoyed Devils Churn and the crashing ocean waves
in Florence, Oregon
June 14, 2015

This is the third time that Lee and Karen Duquette have been to Devils Churn, a narrow inlet of the Pacific Ocean in Lincoln County, Oregon, south of the city of Yachats (yes, this is the correct spelling). It is located in the Siuslaw National Forest and is accessible via the Restless Waters trail from the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area visitor's center or the U.S. Route 101 overlook. Access to the trail requires a United States Forest Service pass.

The inlet developed over many thousands of years as wave action carved into the basalt shoreline, first forming a deep sea cave whose roof eventually collapsed. As the tide comes in it can throw spray several hundred feet into the air when the waves reach the end of the churn. Visitors are urged to be cautious when visiting the churn as it can be dangerous.

Devils Churn began as a small fracture - a weak area in the ancient volcanic rock. Thunderous waves have gnawed at the rock for eons, eroding it away grain by grain, enlarging the crack into a chasm. As the two RV Gypsies approached, they felt the power of the churn and eagerly anticipated watching waves pound on the rocks and explode upwards.

Below: Karen Duquette took a photo looking down from the parking lot at Devils Churn before starting on the trail that went up then down and around.

Below: Lee Duquette stopped partway down the trail and took a picture of Karen Duquette who was still up higher so Karen Duquette took a photo of Lee down on the trail below her. Nobody else was in the area.

Below: Lee and Karen Duquette watched the ocean waves careen up the chasm and crash into the volcanic rock as the dynamic forces of nature continued to carve this remarkable chasm over and over.

Below: Lee Duquette continued on down the trail, stopping now and then to check on Karen Duquette, who often stopped to take photos.

Below: The ocean water hit the dead end and crashed into the volcanic rock with a very loud sound, like thunder.

Below: Lee Duquette ready and eager to take the spur trail over the big chunks of volcanic rock and down to Cape Cove Beach. Just look at his big smile!

Below: Lee and Karen Duquette carefully walked over the uneven volcanic rock and the patches of sand, being careful not to get too close to the edge of the Pacific Ocean where the big waves were crashing over the rocks. They highly recommend that everyone is careful because each person is responsible for their own safety, especially if nobody else is around to help them. The two RV Gypsies often find themselves in areas with nobody else around.

Below: The Pacific Ocean and waves breaking over the volcanic rock.

Lee and Karen Duquette were at Devils Churn on May 12, 2009 and it was so very different because of the amazing froth. They could not walk all the way to the beach because of a tree blocking the path. But because a storm had gone through just before they got there in 2009, they got to see froth bursting like fireworks, and hear the waves sounding like thunder. At the time, they did not realize how unusual that was and how lucky they were.
It is highly recommended that everyone takes a look at those photos and compare the two sites, click here. You will love the difference. Then return to this page to continue to 2015 adventures.

Menu for the two RV Gypsies Adventures
in Florence, Oregon
June 15, 2015

Travel to Oregon

Devils' Churn (this page)

Dune Buggy adventure

Overlooks and seals

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

South Jetty Thousand Trails

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