Northwest Magazines

Coast Lines

I went on an amazing trip recently, one that didn’t take me far from home. Our art director, Barb Grano, and I joined Rebecah Morris and Lucy Gibson of the Central Oregon Coast Association (as well as a group of freelance writers and photographers) for a four-day adventure in the area between Lincoln City and Yachats.

Our guides couldn’t have been better. Besides having born-and-raised-on-the-coast credentials, Rebecah and Lucy are smart, funny, fun-loving advocates for the coast and all it has to offer. Some of the highlights of our trip included blowing glass at the Jennifer L. Sears Glass Art Studio, taking a trip in the Oregon Rocket out of Yaquina Bay with Don and Fran Mathews of Marine Discovery Tours, being kissed by a sea lion at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and hiking down Cape Perpetua on a warm sunny afternoon.

Watching molten glass take form and color was amazing, and as we toured coastal galleries over the next few days, I had a new appreciation for the beautiful pieces that emerge from these intensely hot furnaces. Being in the Rocket (a 27-foot rigid-hull inflatable) with Don and Fran combined a thrilling ride—punctuated by happy screams and laughter—with an eco-narrative that broadened our understanding of Yaquina Bay and its denizens, human and

otherwise. And the kiss? Well, if you’ve never felt a sea lion exhale gently on your cheek, you’ve missed a great experience. Of course, Cape Perpetua on a sunny day is just heavenly. The lookout has an unparalleled view, and wildflowers were in full bloom alongside the hiking trails.

One thing I must say: If you haven’t spent much time in Lincoln City, turn off Hwy 101 and give it another look. Its beaches and neighborhoods are unique and beautiful, there are many hidden gems, such as the Connie Hanson Garden and Devil’s Lake, and it’s a hotspot for artistry and great food (be sure to check out the cooking classes offered at the new Pacific Coast Center for the Culinary Arts, many taught by chef Rob Pounding of the Blackfish Cafe).

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In this issue, we take a look at Cannon Beach, a town that has combined a beautiful setting with thoughtful development, and also Pacific City’s dory fleet, a proud and flourishing tradition. Laurel Gerkman travels the South Coast in search of products made with dense, richly grained myrtlewood, Rob Spooner previews the most remote development he could find on the coast, John Kraske shares the thrill of paragliding, and Melissa Jones dons a wetsuit over her bikini and jumps in the cold Oregon ocean for a surfing lesson. Enjoy!