44.
No sense sitting in a motel room or RV when you can go dancing.
For
those who are looking to kick up their feet and get down with the tunes
of
country, dance or rock and roll, there are many places on the coast for
such
entertainment.
One
option is to learn to dance at the Pacific School of Dance that offers
classes
for beginners and advanced students of all ages. For children ages 4
to
6, basic dance elementary is available from June 19, 2000 through the 23.
Introduction
to dance classes are available for children ages 7 to 9, from
June
19, 2000 to June 23. Each class
costs $40 and pre-registration is required
before
June 10th.
For
adults there are an array of classes from ballet to jazz available in
monthly
or one-day sessions. Regular dance classes are held Monday through
Wednesday
from June 19 to Aug. 24, 2000.
The
classes are held upstairs at the Harding building, 755 South Seventh,
Coos
Bay. For more information about schedules and rates, those interested
can
call (541) 269-7163.
If
dancing is already in your blood the Bay Area has many locales from which
to
choose.
Wanda’s
Food and Beverage House 740 Koosbay Blvd., Coos Bay offers a jam night every Thursday when
people
can bring an instrument or their favorite dancing partner.
The
Coney Station
295 So. Broadway, Coos Bay offers dancing on Friday and Saturday and The Pony
Village Lodge
on Virginia in North Bend also offers dancing on weekends. The
Portside
in Charleston offers live entertainment on Friday and Saturday,
also
featuring laser karaoke. The Timber Inn in Coos Bay features karaoke
every
night of the week with dancing.
45. There’s no way to see entire coast, unless
you fly.
One
of the best ways to see the South Coast sights is from the air. Not
something
for the faint of heart, chartering a small plane is an easy way to
cover
a large number of sites in a relatively short amount of time.
There
are a few places between Florence and Brookings that provide charter
plane
rides for visitors and residents alike. One is Coos Aviation, which is
located
at the North Bend Municipal Airport.
For
up to a half hour of flight time, three passengers can rent a plane and
pilot
for $49.
Some
of the sights to see while flying over the coast are the many
lighthouses.
From south to north, passengers can see the historic Cape
Blanco
Lighthouse, nine miles north of Port Orford. Next is the Coquille
River
Lighthouse in Bandon. At Charleston is the Cape Arago Lighthouse and
then
near Winchester Bay passengers can see the Umpqua River Lighthouse.
If
time allows, head north to fly over the much-photographed Heceta Head
Lighthouse,
located 12 miles north of Florence. While flying near the
lighthouse
you also can see the Sea Lion Caves.
On
the return to North Bend, the stern of the New Carissa is visible just
offshore,
north of the entrance to Coos Bay.
For
more information about chartering a plane and other sights to see, those
interested
can call Coos Aviation at 756-5181 or M&M Seaplanes in Dunes City
at
997-6567.
46.
Antique viewing, collecting a favorite of locals, visitors alike.
New
things aren’t always so great. They may look clean and perfect, but they
haven’t
acquired the personality that comes only with age and loving use.
Remember
the chair Grandma rocked you in when you had chicken pox? Even with
scratches
and wear, it’s more treasured than the day it was made.
That’s
why so many people love antiques and collectibles. They remind us of
happy
memories and we love the old spirits they hold.
You’ll
find many of those old treasures in the antique shops of the South
Coast.
Visiting each one is a bit like finding a trunk of heirlooms in the
attic.
At
Beauty and the Beast in North Bend the atmosphere is eclectic but leans
toward
the Victorian. Built in 1909, the red-brick building itself exudes
historic
charm.
The
Worldwide Antique Mall, adjacent to the historic Egyptian Theatre in
downtown
Coos Bay, boasts 12,000 square feet of “way cool stuff.” From
business
machines to clothing and housewares to advertising pieces, everyone
passing
through will recognize items from their past.
At
the Little Mint in Reedsport one can find a large selection of American
coins
and jewelry of most any vintage.
Some
of the best antiquing can be found in the smaller shops that can be
found
in most of the communities along the South Coast. Don’t hesitate to
pull
off the road and check out the treasures.
More of Interest
47.
Sand dunes equal all-terrain rush of adrenaline for kids and adults.
The
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is the largest coastal sand dune
in
the world. Stretching from Florence to North Bend, this sand box offers
fun
for the entire family. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the dunes is a
vacation
wonderland for many.
Owners
of dune buggies, sandrails, all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles
enjoy
the excitement of riding these mountains of sand. Challenging hill
climbs,
trails, beach runs and straight stretches add to the adrenaline rush
for
those daring to ride this 40-mile stretch of excitement.
Do
you want to ride the dunes but need an ATV? No problem, rentals can be
found
at several locations between Florence and North Bend. Many of these
businesses
also offer tours in sandrails that can accommodate up to eight
people. These drivers are professionals and know the dunes well.
Sand Dunes Frontier, Sandland Adventures, Bug Germinators
Camping
opportunities exist for those recreating in the dunes. It is
recommended
that reservations be made for campsites as spaces fill quickly.
To
learn more about the dunes, those interested can call the Oregon Dunes
National
Recreation Area headquarters at 271-3611.
48.
Myrtlewood: There’s no other wood like it in the world.
The
South Coast is the place to be for those who like to indulge in
myrtlewood.
Locals’ mania for the fine-grain hardwood is apparent by the
many
gift shops in North Bend, Coos Bay and destinations south that feature
crafts,
curios and gifts made from this unique wood.
A
member of the bay and laurel family, myrtlewood is found growing between
northern
Douglas County and Northern California. A tough hardwood, each
piece
of myrtlewood is unique, both in grain pattern and coloring, which can
range
from a sedate, satiny gray to red, yellow and brown.
So
many shops and factories on the South Coast specialize in myrtlewood
products
that “Myrtlewood” has its own heading in the Yellow Pages, with
approximately
a dozen businesses listed.
The
myrtlewood supply remains steady because of the tree’s self-propagating
nature.
New trees grow out of the nut of the tree, which falls to the ground
in
late autumn. New trees also can grow from cut stumps or even from the
root
system that remains in the ground. It takes between 80 and 110 years
for
a tree to reach commercial size, which is roughly 16 inches in diameter.
Visitors
to Coos Bay who would like to see a myrtlewood factory in operation
can
stop by The Oregon Connection, 1125 S. First St., where they can take a
free,
self-guided tour and watch the operation.
More of Interest:
The Oregon Connection, Farwest Gem Show & Lapidary
49.
Take a walk through the botanical gardens at Shore Acres State Park.
A
favorite destination for locals and visitors alike, the park is located on
the
Cape Arago Highway south of Coos Bay. The historic grounds feature a
formal
English garden and a Japanese garden, home to thousands of flowering
and
exotic plants, trees and shrubs. A nearby lookout point offers a
spectacular
view of the coastline and, during the spring and fall, it’s a
favorite
whale-watching viewpoint.
The
park was once the private property of Louis Simpson, son of Coos Bay
lumber
and shipping baron Asa Simpson. Louis Simpson chose Shore Acres as
the
site of an estate for himself and his wife, Cassie. A huge mansion,
several
fine barns and other buildings were constructed on the site, with
building
completed in 1906.
Although
Louis and Cassie Simpson enjoyed many happy years at Shore Acres,
the
beautiful mansion was destroyed by a catastrophic fire in 1921, several
months
after Cassie Simpson died. Simpson built a second home, but another
fire
in 1936, a year famous for large fires, destroyed many of the
surrounding
buildings on the estate, but left the historic house still
standing
in the park.
The
state of Oregon purchased the grounds for a state park, with the initial
purchase
in 1942 and other sections acquired in 1956 and 1980 to form the
park
grounds today.
To
get there, turn off U.S. Highway 101 on either Newmark or Commercial
avenues
in Coos Bay and go to Empire, where the road turns left into the
Cape
Arago Highway. Follow the road through Charleston and past Sunset Bay
State
Park to Shore Acres.
The
park is open at 8 a.m. daily and closes at sunset. Exact closing times
are
posted at the park entrance. A $3 day use fee is required and can be
purchased
at the booth at the park’s entrance. The park is handicapped
accessible.
More of Interest:
The Portside, Charleston, Campbell's Vacation Apartment,
50.
A walk on the cliffs offers a bird's-eye
view of the Pacific Ocean.
Why
drive from Sunset Bay State Park to Cape Arago State Park when one can
hike
a trail along cliffs overlooking the crashing waves of the Pacific
Ocean
and spruce forests?
This
3.4-mile trek starts near the footbridge at Sunset Bay’s picnic and
recreation
area. The trail then moves up through forest and eventually along
the
rocky cliffs. For those who want to take home memories in photographs,
the
Cape Arago Lighthouse is visible from the trail as are a variety of
wildflowers
and wildlife. Of course, there is the ocean itself and the
massive
waves as hikers near Shore Acres State Park.
From
Shore Acres, the trail heads south to Cape Arago. Hikers can walk down
to
Simpson Beach and as the trail returns to the clifftops, it opens at the
Simpson
Reef Overlook. This is a local favorite spot for watching harbor
seals,
sea lions and elephant seals.
For
those who would prefer a shorter hike, some choose to park at Shore
Acres
and then walk either north or south. There is a $3 parking fee at
Shore
Acres.
Hikers
should keep a few cautions in mind. The trail is not always well
marked
and at several places hikers must walk a short way along the road.
There
are muddy spots along the trail throughout most of the year, some
hills
and bees for those with allergies. Also there are many side trails and
shortcuts
that can lead to nowhere.
51.
Crabbing is a great way to spend a leisurely
day in the sun.
For
a great way to have fun around or on the ocean, as well as bring home
dinner,
crabbing is the way to go. It is easy to do and fairly inexpensive.
Crab
traps cost around $20 each or they can be rented. How many are needed
depends
upon the number someone wants to tend. Traps can be bought at
outdoor
stores as well as bait and tackle shops.
Rockfish
is a very common bait, but seals and sea lions also prefer it and
they
will work hard to steal it from crab pots. Chicken also works well and
the
seals and sea lions don’t seem to like it.
A
license is not needed for crabbing, but there are limits to the number of
crabs
that can be taken. The limit on Dungeness is 12 males (no females
allowed)
and the limit on red rock crabs is 24. The Dungeness also must be
at
least five and three quarters inches at their widest point, not including
legs.
For more information on regulations, those interested can go to the
Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife Web site at www.dfw.state.or.us. Bait
shops
also sell a handy measuring stick to help determine if the Dungeness
crabs
are keepers.
There
is no shortage of places to crab. Two of the most popular are at the
Charleston
and Winchester Bay docks, but there are many others. For people
who
have access to a boat and can actually go out on the water, that’s even
better.
More of Interest:
52.
Museums hold surprises, treasures of years past.
Did
you know Bandon burned to the ground twice in the early 20th century?
Did
you know the South Coast was bombed during World War II? What equipment
was
used in 19th-century logging operations?
Museums
are found in most communities on the South Coast. They are staffed
by
knowledgeable volunteers who are delighted to answer your questions and
elaborate
on the exhibits.
Agness-Illahe
Museum, 34470 Agness-Illahe Road, Agness; (541) 247-2014.
Chetco
Valley Historical Society Museum, 15461 Museum Road, Harbor;
(541)
469-6651.
Coos
Art Museum, 235 Anderson Ave., Coos Bay; (541) 267-3901. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4
p.m.
Tuesday-Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Coos
County Historical Society Museum, 1220 Sherman Ave., in Simpson Park,
North
Bend; 756-6320. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
Coos
County Logging Museum, 705 Maple St., Myrtle Point; (541) 572-2352 or
572-5009.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Other
hours by arrangement (Volunteers
who are willing to open our
museum for visitations not during our regular hours.are Keith @ 572-5009 Edie @
572-2352 and Billie @ 572-5266).
Coquille
River Museum, 270 Fillmore, Bandon; (541) 347-2164. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4
p.m.
Monday-Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Coquille
Valley Art Museum, 1 1/2 miles south of Coquille on Highway 42;
396-3294
or 756-2315.
Curry
County Historical Museum, 29410 Ellensburg Ave., Gold Beach; (541) 247-6113.
Hours:
noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
Marshfield
Sun Museum, Front Street, across from the Timber Inn Restaurant,
Coos
Bay; (541) 269-0215. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
The
Pioneer House, Powers; (541) 439-3811.
Siuslaw
Pioneer Museum, 85294 Hwy. 101 S., Florence; (541) 997-7884. Hours: 10
a.m.
to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.
Teddy
Bear Frontier, 320 Spruce St., Myrtle Point; (541) 572-5000.
Umpqua
Discovery Center, 409 Riverfront Way, Reedsport; (541) 271-4816. Hours: 10
a.m.
to 4 p.m. daily.
Call
the museums to check on current displays.
More of Interest:
Coos Bay Manor Bed & Breakfast
53.
Windsurfers: Don’t leave your
boards at home.
The
South Coast is home to one of the best windsurfing spots in Oregon.
Floras
Lake, located at Boice-Cope Park just south of Langlois and west of
U.S.
Highway 101, provides consistent wind and smooth water for experts and
beginners.
Its
geographical location makes it ideal for windsurfing. Only 150 feet from
the
ocean, the lake is exposed to the consistent, prevailing northwest winds
common
during the summer months. Water temperature remains in the low 60s
throughout
the sailing season, making it a relatively comfortable place to
windsurf.
One
interesting facet of the lake, and favorable to beginners, is the depth
of
the lake: It averages only five to six feet deep across the entire lake!
This
makes it less intimidating for those just getting into the sport.
Floras
Lake Windsurfing is located at the lake. Specializing in instruction,
the
business offers lessons for the beginner or the advanced windsurfer.
Equipment
rentals and accommodations are also available. Those interested
can
call Floras Lake Windsurfing at (541) 348-9912.
Snap
a mast or boom while attempting a back-loop at the lake? Big-Air
Windsurfing
in Langlois also can help with equipment needs and are
considered
an excellent source for weather and wind conditions at the lake.
Those
interested can call Big-Air Windsurfing at (541) 348-2213.
More of Interest: