The Many Faces of the Oregon Coast

Wow, the days are going by in a blur! This year it
is definitely more 'work' and not much 'play'!

But we can't 'waste' being on the Oregon coast, and took time to see four of the 11 lighthouses. We actually saw two others, but the timing wasn't right (towing a 38' fifth wheel) to pull over and take pictures. School is finally out here in the Northwest, and traffic is picking up in the tourist areas. But that's OK - we know where they are now and will catch them next season.
Our first KOA on the Oregon coast was Oregon Dunes. This park would be the 'favorite' of Randy, Wes & Nick - for it is right in the middle of the Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area and the park caters to 'off-road vehicle' enthusiasts. Miles and miles of sand dunes; so many that they look like little ants swarming over the dunes. Just south of that park, we found the Cape Arago Lighthouse. The light is the hardest to get a picture of, for you can not get close. The above picture is actually 'cropped and zoomed' - but you can still get a feel for the beautiful rocky coastline.


Then it was north a bit to the Umpqua River Light. Along this part of the coast, the sand dunes have flattened out a bit, but you could still here the 'buzz' of the dune buggies as you gaze out to sea.


Then a drive south to the Bandon/Port Orford area, where we find a KOA that is indeed situated right in the middle of an enchanted forest. Beautiful area! A small park, in great condition, and we unhooked and spent the afternoon driving further south to Gold Coast. A beautiful drive! This area is famous for myrtlewood and there are many shops along the drive selling everything you can imagine made from myrtlewood. This wood is mentioned in the Bible (Isaiah 55:13) and it only grows in southwestern Oregon and in Jerusalem. It is actually a type of evergreen.

Recommended by the KOA, we stopped at a little shop and spent a time getting a 'tour' and chatting with the owner. It is actually 'home' for four artisans and although it doesn't look like much from the outside, it was a 'gold mine' inside with all the beautiful art work. This was not your 'usual' souvenir shop! I found - and was fascinated - by some beautiful baskets (that's my weakness!) woven of pine needles. We saw huge slabs of wood with beautiful carvings of all types of animals. Exquisite work, but very much out of our price range. But the little proprietor was so patient - and quite a story teller - that we thoroughly enjoyed our time, without spending a penny.

Cape Blanco is just a few miles from the KOA. A beautiful light - the view is spectacular - and the wind is ferocious!


Just one night there and then we head back north all the way to Lincoln City. We made a stop just north of Bandon at the Coquille River Light.


Along this stretch the coast 'changes' once again. I would LOVE to have a few pieces of this driftwood, but Roger wasn't thrilled with the idea of transporting it for the next 2 months!










Our drive north was beautiful - but long. With all the little towns full of tourists and the up and down and side to side roads, our 175 mile trip took the best part of the day. Another park in great shape and our 'find' there was Mel's Diner - right on the park. We 'made a date' for breakfast (it was delicious!) and then we headed back south a bit to the Waldport/Newport area.

Wow! this park sits right on the bay - what a view! The wind was still with us, but the views made it all worthwhile.