25. Bring along a bag of marshmallows and a
sleeping bag.
One
of the major draws to the South Coast are its many camping and
wilderness
areas.
But,
travelers to the coast should do a little homework before attempting to
pitch
a tent in a campground. Reserving a campsite by phone takes much of
the
stress out of camping.
Several
years ago, many parks around the state joined together to set up a
phone
reservation system to aid travelers. From state parks to the dunes,
phone
reservations can help people guarantee they have a campsite during the
busy
summer months.
State
Parks: The
reservation program covers a number of campsites from
Brookings
to Florence, including: Jesse Honeyman at Florence, Umpqua
Lighthouse
at Winchester Bay, William Tugman at Lakeside, Sunset Bay at
Charleston,
Bullards Beach near Bandon and Harris Beach in Brookings.
To
make a reservation at these and several other South Coast campgrounds,
those
interested can call (800) 452-5687. A separate phone line is available
at
(800) 551-6949 for information on where to obtain maps, locations of
private
campgrounds and other information.
Other
campsites: Bastendorff
Beach County Park is located a quarter-mile
off
Cape Arago Highway, about two miles west of Charleston. It’s open all
year
and has 25 non-hookup sites, each with its own picnic table and fire
site.
Tenmile
Lake Park and Boat Ramp is located in Lakeside 15 miles north of
North
Bend. The park at the south end of 11th Street and Park Avenue
features
excellent fish populations, including steelhead, rainbow and two
different
kinds of bass.
Laverne
Park is located on the North Fork of the Coquille River, 14 miles
north
of Highway 42 on the Coquille-Fairview road. Nearly half of the 75
campsites
come with water and electrical hookups.
26.
Old towns at Florence, Reedsport and Bandon favorites with visitors.
Slide
into some comfortable shoes and head for a Southern Oregon Coast old
town
for some serious fun. Browsers find a touch of local history mingled
with
bargains, treasures and recreational opportunities.
Old
Town Florence
Indians
once paddled their canoes along the banks of the Siuslaw River, a
major
path of commerce where the town of Florence had its beginnings.
Today
Old Town Florence retains its historical atmosphere with the salty
flavor
of a genuine coastal river town where there is much to see and do.
More
than 60 businesses flourish within the four or five blocks that make up
Old
Town. A sprinkling of
antique shops, restaurants, specialty shops,
galleries,
boutiques and gift shops for kids and adults alike delight
visitors
staying for the day or spending the night in one of several bed and
breakfasts
or motels.
Visitors
looking for fun on the water can take a cruise on a sternwheeler or
rent
a kayak, surfboard or scuba equipment.
Old
Town Reedsport
Old
Town Reedsport still exists and offers a different experience from some
or
the more touristy towns. Located near the middle of the Oregon Dunes
National
Recreation Area, visitors can view the ever-changing dunes
landscape,
then head to Reedsport’s historic waterfront.
The
popular Umpqua Discovery Center can take visitors back in time to learn
about
the pioneer citizens who manned the canneries, fisheries and timber
operations
that shaped the community.
The
community is in the process of revitalizing the historic downtown area.
From
here, visitors also can inquire about tours of the Umpqua River
Lighthouse,
one of the few remaining functional lighthouses on the Oregon
Coast.
Old
Town Bandon
A
sampling of more than 100 unique businesses in an area overlooking the
Coquille
River can be found in Old Town Bandon.
Located
just across the highway from Old Town is the Bandon Cheese Factory,
which
offers viewing tours of cheese processing. (See No. 5) Old Town is the
home
of the Second Street Art Gallery, one of Oregon’s largest galleries,
featuring
art work in oil, acrylic and watercolor;
sculptures of stone,
bronze,
wood and steel; glassware; wearable art; and gold, silver and beaded
jewelry.
The
Coquille River Museum also is nearby, operated by the Bandon Historical
Society.
It offers locals and visitors alike an opportunity to learn about
history
along the Coquille River.
Fine
dining is available
in and around Old Town, as well as many types of
lodging
including bed and breakfasts and motels.
27.
Coastal artists weave together varied styles for unique tastes.
Many
of the shops and galleries along the South Coast are owned by the
artists
whose products line their shelves. Stepping into these shops gives
the
visitor a glimpse into the inner world of the artist.
A
visit to the Classical Glass Stained Glass Studio on Broadway Avenue in
North
Bend might find owner Lucy Varoujean at work on a commissioned design,
holding
a class or helping a customer make a design idea reality.
A
potter’s wheel stands in the center of Laurel Grove Pottery, located six
miles
south of Bandon on U.S. Highway 101. Owner Lynne Brown can be found
throwing
pots or decorating them in preparation for high-fire cone-10
glazes.
Just
a little farther south, near the West Coast Game Park Safari, visitors
can
watch blown-glass pieces being created at Vine Arts Glass or see a rough
piece
of myrtlewood shaped into a bowl at Zumwalt’s Myrtlewood Factory.
Carol
Waxham, who came to the South Coast on vacation and never left, always
has
a project ‹ or two or three ‹ in the works on one of the weaving looms
at
Raincoast Arts Gallery in Langlois. She specializes in handwoven garments
of
cotton, rayon chenille and silk, but she can also be found creating small
baskets
from seagrass and kelp or creating beaded jewelry.
Stopping
into one of these working studio galleries gives the customer a
feeling
of being part of the creative process. Chambers of commerce in each
community
may also be able to suggest studios open to visitors.
More
of Interest:
Artists
Port Orford Arts& Seafood Fest
Farwest Lapidary and Gem Craft Sale
28. Dunes walking like no other South Coast
experience.
The
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is a sandy-sloped paradise for ATV
riders,
but dunes managers have set aside an area for hikers who want a
little
solitude.
The
best way to walk onto the Umpqua Scenic Dunes is to park at the Eel
Creek
Campground, one-quarter mile north of the south Lakeside entrance. The
dunes
along this stretch of the recreation area are closed to ATVs.
The
trail starts off from the campground, winding up through a mix of
manzanita
and coastal trees. Once onto the dunes, hikers are on their own,
due
to the constantly shifting sands. The hike to the beach is about one and
a
half miles and can be tiring, especially if the sand is dry.
But
perhaps the most impressive aspect of a day in the dunes is exploring
the
unique plant communities and discovering the intermittent ponds and
small
patches of forests along the way. Be careful though. The occasional
ponds
and wet spots can create a quicksand-like surface.
Morning
is the best time of day to start out on a hike and visitors should
carry
sunglasses. By mid-morning the summer’s gusty north winds pick up,
blowing
sand from the dune tops. Hikers also should take something to drink
and
a snack or lunch.
For
those who intend to hike to the beach, plan to get wet feet on the final
trek
through the brush, leading to the beach. The walk generally requires
hikers
to wear waders or shorts and sneakers. At times the water can be more
than
a foot deep.
Gold
Beach, 30 miles north of the Oregon-California border, will be the site
of
one of the world’s top jet boat events of the year 2000.
International
Jet Boat Marathon.
The
race, held in four countries (United States, Canada, Mexico and New
Zealand)
rotates to American this year and will be the largest jet boat
racing
event ever held in the country. The marathon will cover four rivers,
with
the last leg on June 3-4 at the Lower Rogue River in Gold Beach.
The
event includes seven days of racing, more than 500 miles of river racing
and
50-60 powered-boat competitors. Boats in four classes will participate
in
the $100,000 purse.
“It’s
a world-class event,” said Ed Cammer, member of the 2000 International
Jet
Boat Marathon Committee and past racer.
At
10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2000 competitors will start at one-minute
intervals
at the mouth of the Rogue River and race 40 miles upriver to
Foster
Bar, then for seven miles of whitewater rapids above Agness. They
restart
at 1:30 p.m. and race back to Gold Beach.
The
last race, in 1996, was won by three-time world champion Mark Cromie of
New
Zealand. For lodging and RV information, those interested can call the
Gold
Beach Chamber of Commerce at (800) 525-2334.
Other
boat racing events on the South Coast include the outboard
hydroplanes,
June 25, 2000 at the Lower Rogue River in Gold Beach.
For
more information on the outboard hydroplane races, call Cory Law at
479-4421
or Russ Oden at 478-4444.
More of Interest:
30. It doesn’t take a commercial
fisherman to reel in tuna and salmon.
Rent
a boat or bring your own, but be prepared to sail far offshore to catch
albacore
tuna. The quick fish show up at the same time as the warm water,
usually
in late summer or early fall, and school 20 to 50 miles out.
The
best thing for catching albacore ‹ tuna that are perfect for the grill
and
also for home canning ‹ is a tuna clone, also called a tuna jig with a
lead
head.
The
regulations say fishermen must have a license to catch tuna, but there
is
not a special tag required like the one for salmon.
Recreational
fishermen are expecting a great salmon season this year. This
is
the second year in a row that Oregon has allowed a limited coho season.
It
starts July 1, 2000 and runs through July 31 or whenever 20,000 coho are
caught,
whichever comes first. Salmon fishing is allowed on Sundays,
Tuesdays,
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Chinook
salmon season opened April 1 and will end Sept. 31, 2000. A fishing
license
and tag are required for salmon. The licenses are available at local
marine
and sporting goods stores. Outdoors stores are also well-stocked with
the
tackle necessary.
31.
Engine 104 brings back memories of early century logging days.
A
1922 steam locomotive used in Coos County logging operations greets
visitors
as they enter North Bend.
Locomotive
104 is a Baldwin 282 and is located in Simpson Park on the north
end
of town at the Coos County Historical Society Museum.
The
engine was used to haul timber from Powers to Coos Bay and was donated
around
1959 to the museum, where it has remained.
The
Oregon Coast National Railway Society is in the midst of restoring the
engine
to operating condition. Volunteers will be trying to find another
home
for the locomotive within the next two years and will purchase some
other
equipment with donations made by local businesses.
The
railroad club is in the process of getting the boiler re-tubed and
re-building
the cab. Work crews are busy working on the project every
Saturday
and anyone who wishes to help in any way is more than welcome.
You'll find these nearby:
32. These actors want to hear your boos,
hisses and cheers.
Visitors
to the Sawdust Theatre in Coquille are asked to leave their
inhibitions
at the door.
When
the curtain goes up on this year’s offering “Mischief, Mayhem &
Matrimony,
or Have Some Madeira, M’Dear,” the crowd is expected to boo and
hiss
at the dastardly villains and cheer for the heroes and heroines.
Singing
and tapping your feet in time with the music of the olio performers
is
encouraged so that no one gets bored between acts.
The
Sawdusters are volunteers who come from every walk of life. They spend
months
practicing and memorizing scripts for the summer-long performances.
The
plays are homespun tales, too, with this year’s performance authored by
Cindy
Robnett, Elaine Bryson and Edna Cotner. Performances will be held
every
Saturday night this summer beginning on May 27, 2000. Starting July 7, there
will
be Friday night performances as well. Tickets for each show cost $10,
and
the curtain opens at 8 p.m.
The
Coquille Chamber of Commerce will host its annual champagne benefit
performance
on May 26, 2000 at 7 p.m. by the
cast of the Sawdust Theatre. The
event
will feature a delicious buffet and champagne. Curtain time for the
performance
of “Mischief, Mayhem & Matrimony, or Have Some Madeira, M’Dear,”
will
be at 8 p.m.
Tickets
are $15 each for the benefit and may be purchased from members or at
the
chamber office. All proceeds go to the Chamber of Commerce.
The
season will open the following night on May 27, 2000 at 8 p.m.
For
more information about the Sawdust Theatre, those interested can contact
the
Coquille Chamber of Commerce at 396-3414 or for reservations, call
396-4563.
Of more interest:
33.
Take a tour of South Coast lighthouses.
Stretching
from Florence to Brookings, the South Coast boasts a number of
lighthouses
along its shoreline. The historic spots are open for visitors
from
May through September.
Beginning
in Florence, the first stop is the Heceta Head Lighthouse, which
is
about 12 miles north of the city. Located 205 feet above the ocean, the
lighthouse
is on the west side of the 1,000-foot Heceta Head. The spot is
open
for tours (limited to groups of six) from noon to 5 p.m. daily Thursday
through
Monday.
The
Umpqua River Lighthouse, located about six miles south of Reedsport.
Tours
are available for both the lighthouse and the museum from May 1
through
Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The lighthouse is open from
Wednesday
through Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Twelve
miles southwest of Coos Bay and North Bend is the Cape Arago
Lighthouse.
The lighthouse stands about 100 feet above the ocean just off
Gregory
Point, 2.5 miles southwest of the entrance to Coos Bay. This
lighthouse
is not open to the public.
The
Coquille River Lighthouse is located in Bullard’s Beach State Park, two
miles
north of Bandon. The lighthouse is usually open from noon to 4 p.m.
daily
after Memorial Day, and volunteers conduct tours of the watchroom and
tower.
For more information about this lighthouse, those interested can call
347-2209.
Towering
above the westernmost point in Oregon, the Cape Blanco Lighthouse
is
located nine miles north of Port Orford, off U.S. Highway 101. The
lighthouse
is open for tours May through October, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Thursday
through Monday.
The
St. George Lighthouse is perched on a small rocky island six miles off
the
coast in Pelican Bay, near the California border. The 150-foot
lighthouse
has been a restoration project for a local group for the past few
years.
The preservation society eventually hopes to offer limited lighthouse
tours.
34.
World’s tallest Douglas fir a tall sight to enjoy.
The
South Coast is an area known for its forests, and one section of eastern
Coos
County includes the world’s tallest Douglas fir tree.
The
Doerner Fir, dubbed the National Champion Douglas Fir, is located in an
old-growth
forest managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
The
tree stands 329 feet tall and 11.5 feet in diameter and has an estimated
gross
volume of more than 50,000 board feet.
BLM
maintains a half-mile trail, which leads hikers through the old-growth
forest
to the tree. There are a few steep sections of the trail.
Going
to see the big tree will take up a fair chunk of the day. The drive is
a
round trip of about 100 miles from Coos Bay. The road is paved except for
the
final five miles to the trailhead.
Directions
to the trail can be obtained from the BLM office in Airport
Heights
in North Bend or from the district’s Web
page at:
The
phone number for BLM’s office is 756-0100.
Information
about the Doerner Fir and other South Coast trails also is
available
at the Coos Regional Trails
Partnership Web page .
Return to 101 Things to do on Oregon's South Coast