Saturday, December 13, 2008
Global Warming not coming soon to the Oregon Coast
As I watch Wunderground for their predictions on the upcoming Storm of the Millenium (OK, it hasn't been a long millenium yet), I'm putting this into the perspective of someone who has been in Florence for almost 21 years.
We had a big snowstorm the first year, which was the most in more than two decades. Then it went boring for about a decade, but I'm pretty sure we've seen more snow in our second decade in Florence than in the first. Last spring we had some extremely late snow (April) and we kept burning wood in the livingroom stove until almost the Fourth of July. Getting snow almost two weeks before Christmas is another astonishing prospect.
All this puts me in the global warming skeptic camp. This is not the same as being a denier. I really don't know whether there's an underlying trend and I'm seeing an anomaly on the cool side that will be overwhelmed by warming next year or the year after. But twenty years after the first alarms were sounded, there is precious little evidence.
The Oregon Coast "way of life" does face challenges. There's too much litter. People are losing their homes. Gorse and scotch broom are too prevalent. I feel the need to pick my battles and frankly, worrying about the still imperceptible rise in sea level isn't in my top 10 list.
We had a big snowstorm the first year, which was the most in more than two decades. Then it went boring for about a decade, but I'm pretty sure we've seen more snow in our second decade in Florence than in the first. Last spring we had some extremely late snow (April) and we kept burning wood in the livingroom stove until almost the Fourth of July. Getting snow almost two weeks before Christmas is another astonishing prospect.
All this puts me in the global warming skeptic camp. This is not the same as being a denier. I really don't know whether there's an underlying trend and I'm seeing an anomaly on the cool side that will be overwhelmed by warming next year or the year after. But twenty years after the first alarms were sounded, there is precious little evidence.
The Oregon Coast "way of life" does face challenges. There's too much litter. People are losing their homes. Gorse and scotch broom are too prevalent. I feel the need to pick my battles and frankly, worrying about the still imperceptible rise in sea level isn't in my top 10 list.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Tragic Death on Oregon Coast. Fiance washed to sea at Proposal Rock near Neskowin, Oregon.
The Oregon Coast was the scene of a very tragic death this week when a bride to be from the Phillippines, only 3 days into a trip where she was to marry an Oregon man, was swept out to see literally minutes before the man was to propose to her at Proposal Rock near Neskowin along the Oregon Coast.
Her fiance, an Oregonian from the area, wanted to propose at Neskowin's "Proposal Rock", a popular place to pop the question along the Oregon Coast. The tide had receded enough for the couple to make their way out but a large wave about 3 feet knocked the small woman down and swept her out to sea. Rescuers were on the scene in minutes thanks to a call from a local on the beach but the woman has not yet been found and is presumed dead.
The Full Story
Oregon Coast City Guide
Her fiance, an Oregonian from the area, wanted to propose at Neskowin's "Proposal Rock", a popular place to pop the question along the Oregon Coast. The tide had receded enough for the couple to make their way out but a large wave about 3 feet knocked the small woman down and swept her out to sea. Rescuers were on the scene in minutes thanks to a call from a local on the beach but the woman has not yet been found and is presumed dead.
The Full Story
Oregon Coast City Guide
Labels: neskowin, oregon, proposal rock
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Oregon Coast Highway Souvenir Folder
Thanks to Flickr user Jasperdo we have a great set of historic postcards up at Flickr showcasing the Oregon Coast.
Click on the picture for more of this neat set which appears to be from 1951 after the completion of the Oregon Coast Highway, still one of the world's most scenic drives.
Bridges along the coast remain one of the state's attractions as they span the many rivers and streams as they spill into the Pacific all along the Oregon Coastline.
The cards list the cost of the Gold Beach Bridge, a beautiful concrete structure over the Rogue River, as $600,000 - millions shy of the budget just a few years ago to paint and restore this beautiful, massive span at the mouth of the Rogue River.
Click on the picture for more of this neat set which appears to be from 1951 after the completion of the Oregon Coast Highway, still one of the world's most scenic drives.
Bridges along the coast remain one of the state's attractions as they span the many rivers and streams as they spill into the Pacific all along the Oregon Coastline.
The cards list the cost of the Gold Beach Bridge, a beautiful concrete structure over the Rogue River, as $600,000 - millions shy of the budget just a few years ago to paint and restore this beautiful, massive span at the mouth of the Rogue River.
Labels: flickr, oregon bridges, Oregon Coast, oregon postcards, rogue river
Friday, November 21, 2008
Heceta light House Bed & Breakfast on central Oregon Coast
One of the things I love about Oregon is how many "Once in a lifetime" experiences you can have here - even on a short trip.
Here at Heceta Head lighthouse near Florence Oregon you can spend the night in the keeper's quarters which are just a short walk from the lighthouse itself.
Some other great lodging experiences in Oregon are the lodge at Crater Lake, Timberline Lodge at Mount Hood, The Oregon Caves Chateau at Oregon Caves National Monument, McMenamin's Estate south of Portland, the Benson Hotel in Portland, the Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River, Weasku Inn in near Grants Pass on the Rogue River, and more. All of these offer you an historic attraction and adventure as well as fine accommodations.
Here at Heceta Head lighthouse near Florence Oregon you can spend the night in the keeper's quarters which are just a short walk from the lighthouse itself.
Some other great lodging experiences in Oregon are the lodge at Crater Lake, Timberline Lodge at Mount Hood, The Oregon Caves Chateau at Oregon Caves National Monument, McMenamin's Estate south of Portland, the Benson Hotel in Portland, the Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River, Weasku Inn in near Grants Pass on the Rogue River, and more. All of these offer you an historic attraction and adventure as well as fine accommodations.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Winter on the Oregon coast
My favorite time to visit the Oregon Coast *by far* is the late fall and winter, when the wave action is nothing short of spectacular, especially at places like Devil's Churn, Cape Arago, and the many other rocky shoreline areas.
The surf in winter along much of the Oregon Coast has waves topping 20 feet pounding into the rocks, shooting spray up 100 feet and more. Storms add to the excitement but even on relatively calm days you can find great spots to sit and wonder at the sheer power of tons of water crashing into the rocks every few seconds.
For Beachcombers the Oregon Coast winter brings a wealth of fascinating biology and treasure, especially in areas where tidepools fill with sea anemones, starfish, and other creatures while you're much more likely to find great shells and agates - the variegated semiprecious stones that form in cavities of other rocks and then drop out as stone masses are broken down by the sea.
The surf in winter along much of the Oregon Coast has waves topping 20 feet pounding into the rocks, shooting spray up 100 feet and more. Storms add to the excitement but even on relatively calm days you can find great spots to sit and wonder at the sheer power of tons of water crashing into the rocks every few seconds.
For Beachcombers the Oregon Coast winter brings a wealth of fascinating biology and treasure, especially in areas where tidepools fill with sea anemones, starfish, and other creatures while you're much more likely to find great shells and agates - the variegated semiprecious stones that form in cavities of other rocks and then drop out as stone masses are broken down by the sea.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Oregon Coast Aquarium
The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport is one of the top aquatic showcases in the USA. Although the Oregon Coast Aquarium is not as large as the West's other major aquarium at Monterey Bay, Oregon offers several fantastic exhibits such as outdoor wildlife habitats, gorgeous huge water tubes filled with extraordinarily beautiful Jellyfish. - for me one of the most spectacular sea life exhibits at the aquarium.
Pictured is the walk through shark tank where the fish swim all around you.
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is open year-round.
More information is at the official OCA website: www.aquarium.org
More about Newport from Oregon Coast Online Guide
Pictured is the walk through shark tank where the fish swim all around you.
The Oregon Coast Aquarium is open year-round.
More information is at the official OCA website: www.aquarium.org
More about Newport from Oregon Coast Online Guide
Labels: aquarium.org, newport oregon, oregon coast aquarium
Friday, October 10, 2008
Oregon Coast Highway
The Oregon Coast Highway 101, the longest of the US National Scenic Byways, was recently awarded one of the best road trips in the USA by a European travel magazine. It's no wonder because the Oregon Coast Highway offers a spectacular 363 mile journey through oceanscapes, landscapes, and US History. Beautiful lighthouses and bridges punctuate a coast characterized by sea stacks, pounding surf, and a lush carpet of spruce and fir forest. Dozens of small towns grace the highway that stretches all the way from Astoria in the north to Brookings on the south Coast, also known as the "Wild Rivers Coast".
More information:
Oregon Coast
Wild Rivers Coast
Oregon Coast Visitors Association
More information:
Oregon Coast
Wild Rivers Coast
Oregon Coast Visitors Association
Labels: oregon, wild rivers coast oregon coast highway
