Postcard from the Future: Over the River and Through the Woods to the Oregon Coast We Go!

Beach access is closed, parks are closed, restaurants and salons, too. The list of “don’ts” is long. For many, summer plans have been canceled.

Beverly Beach State Park, Oregon.  Me and Harlow.

Once travel is permitted I will wait a little longer. I anticipate a large crowd of ocean lovers flocking to where the water meets the sand. I will trail behind. 

Most of my favorite memories take place on or around the ocean, from childhood and beyond, from California to Alaska. 

My flip-flops are packed. I can almost smell the salty air, damp and clean. We don’t have to travel too far.

I will burn the tank of gas that has been waiting to be used and take the winding road over the Coast Range to Newport, Oregon. My daughter, Harlow, will make a wager with ice cream, on who will see the ocean first.

Our first stop will be the Newport Bayfront for our traditional purchase of seafoam candy and a handful of salt water taffy at the Newport Candy Shoppe.

From the street we will hear the barks of the sea lions coming from the docks. Harlow calls them “sea dogs." We will seek them out.

It is always an amusing sight to see them piled together on the floating dock and to watch them fight over who gets the best spot in the sun. 

Maybe we will tour Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! The building and the exhibits got a new “face lift." I watched the progress all winter long. It would, almost, be a shame not to visit.
Out in front of the building there is a new "odd art garden" with a large gorilla and lion made from recycled tires. Nearby, the Hulk stands tall with fists raised in the air.

 We will trek over to the boats in search of a crew selling fresh seafood, to stock our cooler. Dungeness crab, Halibut, or Spot Prawns will do just fine. The Chelsea Rose is a reliable source.

Perhaps we will bring our own crabbing gear and try our luck for a while. The bay can be a great fishing spot, especially during slack tide. No bait? No problem! Harry's Bait and Tackle has me covered!

A visit to the historic Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is a must. Walking up the trail to the house is like you are walking back in time. Maritime life preserved.

Admission is free, but I will slip some bills into the donation box at the entrance.

Access to the watch room is permitted, but not to the lantern room. The basement is a gift shop and has a historical video of the lighthouse playing on repeat, which includes a tale of mystery and hauntings. I will flick Harlow’s hair and pretend it wasn’t me. 

Yaguina Bay Bridge, headed out to sea.

Across the Yaquina Bay Bridge driving south on Highway 101, some miles past Newport, there is a little hideaway. Most people don’t know it’s there. 

I found this perfect place along the seashore, some time ago. I have watched the waves re-work the sand during all seasons of the year; uncovering hidden secrets in the winter, and gently re-covering them in summer.

Tide pools scatter the sandy platform. Filled with living art, the longer you look the more you see.
If you're lucky you can find a bright orange dog whelk amongst the white barnacles and black mussels, or a sculpin sitting motionless, camoflauged against the heterogenous background. There is variety and rhythm.

A purple shore crab hides in a hightide rock crevice.

My daughter will make a checklist of all the marine life she wants to find: mole crabs, keyhole limpets, beach hoppers, hermit crabs and sea stars are among the many. It's a game she plays that reminds me of the “I Spy” books. It is a perfect game for in-depth exploration.

Our feet will be bare. The soft sand will feel cool as it shifts beneath us, until we reach the waters domain, the texture and sensation will change.

Harlow will recite tide pool etiquette. I suspect it will go something like this: “Never pry, put things back where you found them, use your fingertips gently, remember it is always deeper than it looks and never keep your back to the ocean.” She makes me proud.

Oregon tide pool with marine life. 

Harlow will ask me questions as we explore and I will eagerly await each one. I will point out the different tidelines, and name the different algae: rockweed, sea lettuce, salt sacs, smithora -- they all have a preferred tideline, just as the critters do. With specialized adaptations everything has its place. 

Seagulls will beg as we reach into our snack bag. The opportunists don’t go too far. Before long, two or three gulls become a dozen. Sometimes you can catch them trying to snoop in the goods.
Harlow will talk of mermaids and sea lore. We will pretend to be pirates hiding our loot. We will build sandcastles to smash them down and we will write our names in the sand, knowing they will be washed away at high tide. 

We will bury our feet and watch the sun dip into the water, signaling the day’s end. We will search for lights on the horizon of fishing boats returning to port.

On our way home we will pass back through the Newport Bayfront, and take the scenic route. We will follow the Yaquina River, as far inland as we can.

Harlow will most likely fall asleep in the backseat clutching some shells in one hand, and her taffy in the other. I will enjoy the quiet drive and embrace the rejuvenation from the sea.

Sun setting on the Oregon Coast.

At  A Glance:

Oregon Coast, Along HWY 101

Where: Newport Bayfront, Newport Candy Shoppe,Newport Sealion Docks, Harry's Bait and Tackle, Ripley's Believe it or Not!, Yaquina Bay Lighthouse
Where to stay, eat, play, and shop: See https://discovernewport.com/stay