The crush of brightly clad, flip-flop footed, sunburned vacationers has passed only to be replaced by somber clothed, Keen-shoed, sauntering took-the-day-off visitors and trailer-hauling travelers who know the value of shoulder seasons on the Coast. October opened with a typical sort of transition day. Rain pelted the metropolis areas for weeks prior to this month and dry days were forecast for just a few scattered times. The drive through the Coastal Range was grey, damp yet not cold. It was a time when the weather couldn't seem to settle on a single condition so alternated between wet, potentially wet and teaser blue sky moments.
My arrival at the Coast was met with an exhilarating expanse of blue sky, puffy white clouds, a slight but warm breeze and a mere handful of people, many with dashing canines in tow. The tide was out so the sand and its treasures were open for exploration. Foam gathered at the high water lines, apparently the result of organic matter churned into froth by the wave action. The diatoms and algae in the water gave the front running waves a greenish cast, adding more dimension to the usual beach scene.
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| Indian Beach |
Iconic Haystack Rock and The Needles wait patiently to be photographed in all types of weather, each picture a unique look at the 235 foot tall monolith that is part of the fame of Cannon Beach. Its pleasing shape, proximity to the shore and winged population of puffins, seagulls and other birds make the rock a landmark on the northern coast.
North of Cannon Beach lies Ecola State Park and the nearby Indian Beach hiking trail. Hampered by a "third foot" I cautiously strolled up a part of the trail leading to a viewpoint on Tillamook Head of the lighthouse offshore. Along the way the softening autumn sunlight slanted through the Douglas fir and Hemlocks, signaling the dropping arch of the sun this time of year. The sparkling waters off Indian Beach were blindingly bright as the waves washed around the many rocks littering the shoreline. Recent rainfall has revitalized streams which now flow with added content and musical sounds.
A short drive north into Seaside delivers another venue in which to spend a lazy afternoon walking the dog or riding a bicycle along the wide sands or working on your kite-flying technique. The gentle breeze from the south was sufficient to lift kites skyward and keep them tugging at their flight lines. During brief periods of precipitation, there are plenty of shops to explore, restaurants and candy shops to pop into for a snack or a carousel to ride if the kid in you surfaces once again. The kayak rental shop had no waiting line if that is your choice of adventure.
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| Tillamook Head |
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| Fish 'n Chips are de rigor at the beach |
Once your relaxing day or days at the Coast in October are finished, the drive back to the city has its own interesting adventures. Camp 18 with its single log ridge line restaurant, Loggers Memorial museum and display of original logging equipment is a sure bet for a leg stretch or meal. The three summits on the journey offer views of the surrounding forest, tumbling streams and turning leaf color. The vine maples are beginning to blush with their autumn red, the forest maples are turning a muddy yellow, the bracken greens slipping into a glowing beige. The general scene along the route is fading into a sepia-toned fall picture with leaves gradually abandoning their branches and piling on the forest floor. There they will decompose and nourish next year's growth.
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| Camp 18 wood figures |
Take time to enjoy the changing season with its more relaxed pace and unpredictable weather spurts. The Coast has so much contemplative space in which to enjoy a hot cup of coffee, a good book and the company of an interesting friend or faithful canine companion. Look for those curious byplaces that were crowded in summer but unattended now and discover the rewards of our coast in the Fall.
My arrival at the Coast was met with an exhilarating expanse of blue sky, puffy white clouds, a slight but warm breeze and a mere handful of people, many with dashing canines in tow. The tide was out so the sand and its treasures were open for exploration. Foam gathered at the high water lines, apparently the result of organic matter churned into froth by the wave action. The diatoms and algae in the water gave the front running waves a greenish cast, adding more dimension to the usual beach scene.
North of Cannon Beach lies Ecola State Park and the nearby Indian Beach hiking trail. Hampered by a "third foot" I cautiously strolled up a part of the trail leading to a viewpoint on Tillamook Head of the lighthouse offshore. Along the way the softening autumn sunlight slanted through the Douglas fir and Hemlocks, signaling the dropping arch of the sun this time of year. The sparkling waters off Indian Beach were blindingly bright as the waves washed around the many rocks littering the shoreline. Recent rainfall has revitalized streams which now flow with added content and musical sounds.
Once your relaxing day or days at the Coast in October are finished, the drive back to the city has its own interesting adventures. Camp 18 with its single log ridge line restaurant, Loggers Memorial museum and display of original logging equipment is a sure bet for a leg stretch or meal. The three summits on the journey offer views of the surrounding forest, tumbling streams and turning leaf color. The vine maples are beginning to blush with their autumn red, the forest maples are turning a muddy yellow, the bracken greens slipping into a glowing beige. The general scene along the route is fading into a sepia-toned fall picture with leaves gradually abandoning their branches and piling on the forest floor. There they will decompose and nourish next year's growth.
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