Shore Acres State Park Lights up for the Holidays!
If you haven’t been to Charleston for the annual lights show, you may want to plan a trip this year to see them. Nothing gets you in the holiday mood faster than strolling the gardens at Shore Acres, with a cup of hot spiced cider to keep off the chill, nibbling the free cookies, enjoying hundreds of thousands of lights in fantastic shapes and glowing colors.
I like to time my trips to just before sunset. That way I can enjoy the glorious show of surf and sea at the cliffs area, and maybe snap a few photos, before heading into the gardens to enjoy the light show.
The light show, in the botanical garden area, is open every evening 4 – 10PM from Thanksgiving to New Years Eve, including holidays. There is no admission to get into see the lights though there may be a $3 parking fee to get into the state park if the guard gate is open. There is a gift shop on the grounds.
Visit the Coast for Whale Watching Week!
Want to avoid the after Christmas let-down? Plan a trip to the Oregon Coast for Whale watching week Dec. 26, 2009 – Jan. 1, 2010. Oregon has a great program called “Whale Watching Spoken Here” that features 26 points on the Coast from Ilwaco WA down to Crescent City CA, and 24 points in Oregon between. These points are staffed with trained volunteers from 10AM to 1PM daily to help visitors identify and learn more about our beautiful marine mammals.
Gray Whales, the focus of Whale Watching Week are beginning their annual 12,000 mile migration down to the calm bays in Mexico to give birth to their young, then, in the spring they will make the return journey to their summer feeding grounds. (Spring Whale watching week will be March 20-27, 2010.)
Gray Whales were hunted to extinction in the Atlantic and are Endangered in the Western Pacific. Thanks to protections by the Mexican Government, the United Nations and finally a whaling moratorium in the eighties, the Gray Whale has made a good recovery in the Eastern Pacific and were removed from the Endangered list in 1994, though they are still considered “threatened.”
Don’t miss this opportunity to view the gentle giants of the deep! They are truly an awe inspiring sight.
Oregon Coast Aerial Images
If you like the birds eye, or maybe satellite eye, view of things check out these aerial images of the landmarks of the Oregon Coast. They show the land formations and the path of the rivers and formation of the bays as no map ever could.
Great Lunch on the South Coast
The Oregon Coast has many fine restaurants, and saying anything is “best” is pushing things a bit, I realize, but I’m going to play favorites here today and say this is my new favorite lunch spot when I’m kickin’ around down Gold Beach way – Barnacle Bistro. With a fresh and tempting menu of paninis, salads, burgers and soups plus some interesting specials like a wasabi cod burrito or shrimp quesadillas, and a wine bar to pump up the beverage choices, I was in indecision heaven. Throw in friendly, attentive (almost psychic) service and a beautifully presented, colorful plate and what more could you ask for? Well I’ll tell you, it’s their mouthwatering sweet potato fries. Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside and served with a zingy aioli sauce – Wow – I can’t wait to go back and have some more!
So far, everything I’ve tried there has been just plain excellent, and I’m trying to come up with an excuse to go again, soon. So don’t wait, don’t wonder, if you are down on the South Coast, stop by and give them a try. They are on Hwy 101 in Gold Beach, next to the Courthouse.
More November Happenings Up and Down the Coast
Bandon – Bandon Dunes Golf Resort Thanksgiving Buffet
Thanksgiving Day 11:00AM – 2:30PM
Call for price and to make reservations 1-888-345-6008 (I’ve got mine!)
Cannon Beach – Haystack Holidays presents “Make Your Own Wreath!”
November 29, 2008 11am-4pm at the Cannon Beach Chamber Community Hall 207 N Spruce
Cost: $10 – Supplies and refreshments provided.
Cape Meares – 9th Annual Art Show & Sale
November 27 – 28, 2009 10am – 4pm at Little Red School House Community Center on 4th Street, Cape Meares.
Call Gloria at (503) 842-3581 or Margaret at (503) 842-4076 for more information
Charleston – Holiday Light Show at Shore Acres
November 26 – December 31, 2009 – 4pm – 10pm every night at Shore Acres State Park
Call (541) 888-3732 for more info
Lincoln City – Comedy on the Coast
November 27 & 28 2009 at the Chinook Winds Casino
Call 1-888-244-6665 to reserve your ticket
Rockaway Beach – Holiday Gift Fair
November 27 – 28, 2009 at the Rockaway Beach Civic Facility
Call (503) 355-2291 for more info
Lincoln City Seafood and Chowder Cookoff
Just about every restaurant on the coast claims to have “the best” Clam Chowder. This looks like a great way to sample chowders and get your vote in on what you think makes a great chowder!
Lincoln City Seafood and Chowder Cookoff
Saturday November 14th, 2009
The Culinary Center at Lincoln City
Live cooking demonstrations and competitions, sample chowder and vote for the People’s Choice. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 801 SW Hwy. 101, fourth floor, 541-557-1125.
The Tastes of the Northwest
Wow does this sound like a treat for foodies! If you are in Coos Bay the 13th you might want to check this out.
The Oregon Coast Culinary Institute is presenting a dinner featuring the flavors of the region on Nov. 13, 2009, at 5pm.
At the Taste of the Northwest, guests should expect an exotic menu of wild game, local mushrooms, fresh seafood, and rustic breads, topped-off with fanciful desserts.
Cost is $20 per person. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
OCCI is located on the Coos Campus of Southwestern Oregon Community College. For more information or to make a reservation, call 541-888-1544.
Storm Watching Weekend Nov 6th
Looks like a good time to head over to the coast for some Storm Watching! If you’re a fan of the awesome beauty of a coastal storm, it’s time to find a great ocean view vacation rental (maybe with a fireplace!) and snuggle up for a great weekend. Starting as early as Thursday morning (November 5th) and expected to continue through the weekend, forecasts are for the biggest storm of the season so far. Expect high winds and some big crashing surf.
Stay current with the forecast at the National Weather Service site.
And remember, the beach, jetties, and other low or exposed areas close to the water are not safe during storms. Find a well elevated or indoor spot to watch storms safely.
Farmers Markets on the Coast
The 2009 Farmers market season is drawing to an end, but there are still some markets open with fall produce, including pumpkins and indian corn. Some markets that may still be open…
Coquille Farmers Market in Coos Bay, through December, call for info (541) 396-3894.
Newport Saturday Farmers Market through October, call for info, (541) 961-8236
Florence Old Town Market, Through November 1st, call for info (541) 935-6600
Racing in Coos Bay!
The Les Schwab Championship Series Race will be held October 24th, 2009 at the Coos Bay Speedway 94320 Highway 42, Coos Bay. If you’re a racing fan, you’ll want to check this out.
Blow Your Own Glass Float!
Now here’s a cool thing for those of you who have not found one of the increasingly rare glass floats that wash up on our shores. The Jennifer L. Sears Glass Art Studio in Lincoln City offers a glass blowing lesson where you can choose the colors and blow your own glass float (she also offers to teach you to blow a fluted bowl, paperweight starfish and more.) As a long time fan of watching glass blowing, a lover of glass art, and a frustrated hunter for glass floats, this appeals to me in a big way. How about you?
