Oregon Coast Real Estate Blog - Living on the Oregon Coast » Oregon Coast Activities

Beaver Creek Natural Area, a Jewel in the Coastal Crown

Dean — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 02:13:16 +0000

The Beaver Creek Natural Area, which was dedicated in the Spring of 2010, has already become one of the brightest gems in the crown of attractions on the Central Oregon Coast. More than 300 acres of marsh, uplands and meadows in this coastal waster shed provides an opportunity to observe close up deer, elk, beavers, river otters and nutria. In the bird families this area is home to Bald Eagles, Blue and Green Herons, Kingfishers and many other types of marsh and forest dwelling birds.

This area is unique for several reasons. In a relatively small area one can observe several distinct zones all with their own plant, animal and insect life.

Accessibility is a key to enjoyment here. Several miles of hiking trails are used in the Summer months with more planned in the future for year round use.

Kayaking and canoeing are very popular here both as self guided tours year round and Oregon State Parks tours from July 1 to Labor Day. having experienced both I can attest to the fact that a trip up Beaver Creek in a kayak is like a journey to a pristine wilderness without the hard work to get there.

With so much to see it’s worth several trips in all kinds of weather just to watch the ever changing panorama.

Located 8 miles South of Newport and 2 miles North of Seal Rock on Highway 101 this attraction is easy to find. For those curious folks jussst go to the links provided or stop by the Visitor Center 1 mile East on North Beaver Creek Road.

This area was for years a treat known mostly to local residents. Now, thanks to good planning by several conservation groups and Oregon Parks it is ready to be enjoyed by all.

Come on over and give yourself a treat.

Oregon Coast Beach and Riverside Cleanup Fall 2010

admin — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 05:45:50 +0000

This weekend, volunteers can choose from more than 160 cleanup and watershed projects on the Oregon coast and inland rivers. This is the first year since the beach cleanups began in the 1980s that it has been expanded to include waterways that lead to the ocean. This is only possible because volunteer turnout is always so strong, numbering in the thousands. The selection of so many new locations (including a large number along the I-5 corridor) makes the opportunity accessible for more people than ever.

Here’s where to find what you need to know:

List of locations with link to register for each site
New interactive map to find locations in a more visual way
Coordinate a ride to the coast

Here’s what you should bring:

Clothing appropriate for the weather (which is looking fabulous for Newport) and sturdy shoes. (This isn’t a day for flip-flops.)
Sunscreen (a hat and/or sunglasses may also be welcome on a sunny day like we’re expecting!)
Mosquito repellent is recommended
Reusable containers for drinking water
A reusable bag or bucket to collect trash
A colander from home for sifting through sand to collect small pieces of plastic on the beach

The SOLV coordinators at each location will be providing:

Vinyl gloves and information on safe collection of debris
Litter bags for receiving debris from your personal bag or bucket
Instructions on where to get started
Biohazard/sharps containers

So… there you have it! It’s going to be a gorgeous weekend at the beach. Come out and make a difference on Saturday from 10 am – 1 pm — and enjoy the rest of the day here, too!

Name the Sea Lions

Dean — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:55:03 +0000

Two young female sea lions are nearing the end of their rehabilitation at the Oregon Coast Aquarium and are almost ready to join the penniped display where they will be well cared for and can interact with others of the species. Both of these youngsters were saved from a slow death in the ocean due to eye problems. One had cataracts and the other had an injury from an unknown source. Steps were taken to remedy the difficulties by the Aquarium Vet with help from the staff. Had the corrective measures not been taken, neither animal would have been able to hunt for food in the open ocean.

Now is the chance to participate in the recovery process by offering a name for each one. Simply email social@aquarium.org to put your best creative efforts to work. Who knows? You may be one of the two winners to receive a gift basket from the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Next time you are on the Coast you can see these females in their new home, hopefully with names, and enjoy all the terrific exhibits rain or shine.

Oregon Coast Aquarium Sea of Lights & Yaquina Bay Lighted Boat Parade

Dean — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:26:04 +0000

Sea of Lights event at the Oregon Coast Aquarium

December 5th kicks off the holiday season in Newport. The Oregon Coast Aquarium sponsors the 17th annual Sea of Lights complete with activities for all ages and a chance to visit Santa. As a benefit for Lincoln County Food Share, the only cost for admission is the donation of two items canned or non-perishable food. Thousands of LED (energy efficient lights) will “gild the lily” in this already magical setting.

On the same night the Pacific Communities Health District sponsors the 15th annual lighted boat parade on Yaquina Bay. This spectacular parade of lighted boats may be viewed from both sides of the Bay. Boats range in size from commercial fishing vessels through sail boats and even sea kayaks. This parade is a fund raising effort by PCHD for Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital to add to needed equipment in the hospital’s birthing center. For tickets to ride a lighted boat, call Marine Discovery Tours at 541-265-6200. The event begins at 5 pm.

Join us for one of the year’s most special weekends on the Oregon Coast.

Shroom Season on the Oregon Coast

Dean — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:39:41 +0000

Dedicated and knowledgeable mushroom hunters call themselves shroomers. The mycological wonders of our coastal environment are amazing. A word of caution first, there is a saying among shroomers that goes like this:

There are old shroomers and bold shroomers
– but no old, bold shroomers.

Knowledge and experience are the keys to this fascinating hobby. Before you venture into the woods whether it is the Winter/Spring season or the Summer/Fall season it is an excellent idea to do research or take a class at your local county extension service or community college. One of the best ways is to team up with those who have wide experience. My late mother was an avid shroomer and did it by the book — such as, “when in doubt, don’t pick it”.

Yellow Chanterelle Mushroom

Several varieties grow in abundance on the coast and several are harvested commercially. For example the morel (morchella elata) is advertised for sale this year at $132.00 per pound dried. Native Americans gathered a few varieties. It was not until immigrants arrived here from Scandinavia and Russia that mushrooms began to be widely sought as people identified species familiar to them from their home countries.

My Mother was raised during the Great Depression and was taught by her father, a Swedish immigrant, how to find edible and delicious fungi to supplement the family diet. I am also fortunate to have relatives by marriage who are immigrants from Russia. They delight is shrooming here in season. Good web sites include a local one and http://www.fsl.orst.edu.

Dark Morel Mushrooms

I had breakfast with out of town guests today at The Coffee House on Newport’s Bay Front. I was served the most delightful omelet of fresh, locally grown organic spinach and local wild mushrooms. Yummmm!

The Metropolitan Opera Arrives in Newport

Dean — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:58:53 +0000

Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, with generous support from Jeanette Hofer, presented Puccini’s Tosca to a Newport audience via HD simulcast live from New York City on Sunday. The new, state-of-the-art screen was a pleasure to watch in all the crisp detail and with excellent sound. Jess Smith, a local resident formerly living in New York said this was almost like being there and in some respects even better.

I’m not an educated opera buff; however, it was a truly wonderful experience to see and hear some of the very best opera singers in the world, not to mention the world class musicianship of the Met orchestra. The next performance is Verdi’s Aida on the morning of October 24 at the Newport Performing Arts Center.

This performance was the first of a series of nine to be presented during the 2009/2010 season. More details can be found at the Oregon Coast Council of the Arts site.

What terrific way to spend part of a weekend at the coast. Come on over, soak in some opera, and check out the latest Oregon Coast Real Estate listings.

Go Fly a Kite! Seriously… at Lincoln City this Weekend

admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:25:02 +0000

The Fall Kite Festival returns this weekend, October 10th & 11th. This is Lincoln City’s “original” kite festival — it’s 31st to be exact! Come observe demonstrations by expert fliers, let the kids learn how to make their own kites, watch the Running of the Bols, and more. Activities are held at the D-River State Recreation Area – also known as the D-River Wayside.

Come join the fun October 10th & 11th

Sea Otter Awareness Week

Dean — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:54:08 +0000

An otter at the OCA

The Oregon Coast Aquarium celebrates Sea Otter Awareness Week September 27- October 3. If you can plan a trip to Newport during this week you are in for a real treat. The Aquarium staff will have daily showings during Otter feeding times, talks and activities for kids of all ages. This is a wonderful opportunity to observe up close these amazing sea mammals.

Once hunted to near extinction for their pelts, Sea Otters are making a comeback as a protected species. Recognized as a keystone species, otters play a critical role in maintaining healthy kelp beds that in turn supports thousands of organisms in the marine ecosystem. The last recorded Sea Otter to be trapped off Newport was in 1906.

This writer has had the privilege of watching whole herds of these very social creatures in Alaskan waters. If you are not able to make the Alaskan trip, how about dropping by the Oregon Coast Aquarium?

Oregon Fisheries Day at Newport

Dean — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:23:54 +0000

Sunday August 16th from 10 a.m to 4:30 p.m. an event is planned at the Hatfield Marine Science Center and the Oregon Coast Aquarium. This event features hands-on activities, exhibits, displays and presentations about the crab, shrimp,albacore tuna, salmon and sablefish fisheries. Visitors can see commercial fishing gear, talk to fishermen and try on a survival suit. Samples of fresh local seafood will be provided. This is a wonderful opportunityto learn more about the ocean to table connection.

Tuna Arrive on The Oregon Coast

Dean — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:54:27 +0000

It’s Albacore tuna season here on the Central Oregon Coast. Schools of these highly prized fish follow the warmer currents beginning in July and stick around until mid-September. Newport is home port to commercial fishers who harvest tuna and sell to processors as well as to customers at dockside. Sport fishing for tuna is very popular on local charter boats.

An annual event here on the Central Coast is the Oregon Tuna Classic. Over the past four years, this competition has landed more than 13,000 pounds of fish for distribution to food banks in the area. Tasting home canned tuna is a sure-fire way to break the habit of buying commercially processed fish. The Tuna Classic is on July 18 this year and the sport season lasts until mid-September. Come on over and have some fun on the Oregon Coast.

Read the story at the NewsTimes