How I Ended up in Portland
We slept late again and didn’t leave Coos Bay until after our coffee and walk, so it was about noon.
The plan was to make a direct path to Lincoln City. I was motivated by coming across this story a few days ago:
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" Since delicate green and blue Japanese glass fishing floats first washed up on Oregon beaches in the early 20th century, beachcombers have scoured the sands for these prized finds. The number of Japanese floats has decreased over the years, but Oregon’s artists keep the tradition alive by planting a crop of handmade floats each fall.
Beginning in mid-October, local glassblowers conceal brilliantly colored, signed and numbered glass floats along the 7.5 miles of public beach in Lincoln City, stretching from the Roads End State Recreation Site area to Cutler City. This year a total of 2,014 floats will be hidden along the coastline for lucky beachcombers to find.
Glassblower Bob Meyer, owner of Ocean Beaches Glassblowing & Gallery in Seal Rock, will make 150 floats this year, each in a kaleidoscope of vibrant color.
When looking for floats, train your eyes above the high-tide area and below the beach embankment. That’s the zone where the floats are hidden. And if you find one, it’s yours to keep. Each float is signed by the artist and numbered. Contact the Lincoln City Visitor and Convention Bureau for a certificate of authentication and information about the artist who crafted your float."
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We passed so many tempting sites and sights on the way, but I didn't stop. I did make a vow to come back often to the Oregon Coast and to devote a day or two to just going to all the campsites and recreation areas, scenic viewpoints and beach access trails. It seemed like every 50 yards there was another place I wanted to see. But, driven by our glass treasure hunt, we pressed on.
We did stop here, for lunch,
but only stayed as long as it took to eat.
I could have lingered here, as well as many of other gorgeous places along the way, but I wanted to have plenty of daylight left for glass hunting and playing on the beach when we got there.
It was about 3:30 by the time we pulled into Lincoln City.
It was foggy and cold. The temperature hadn’t reached above 55 degrees all day, in fact. It was quite chilly. And it was kind of a mad-house. It was mobbed with people. Everyone, his brother and their dog, it seems were also coming on a glass hunt today.
Suddenly, it wasn’t nearly as appealing as I had imagined it being. The last time we were in Lincoln City, we had the beach to ourselves. I guess this Finders Keepers Glass Treasure Hunt was a success in getting people to come to Lincoln City from all over.
However, considering the time of day (still early), the weather (cold and grey) and the scene (packed), I decided to keep driving on to Portland, where I was planning to drive to the next day. It seemed like taking the extra 90 minute drive was a better way to spend the afternoon than sitting in the Motel 6, dealing with the crowd on the beach or walking through Lincoln City. Portland was much more interesting a city to walk through, and it would mean tomorrow is a no-driving day.
So now I’m in Portland.
I will say this. It is definitely dinner time.
 | |
| Bridge leaving Coos Boy |
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" Since delicate green and blue Japanese glass fishing floats first washed up on Oregon beaches in the early 20th century, beachcombers have scoured the sands for these prized finds. The number of Japanese floats has decreased over the years, but Oregon’s artists keep the tradition alive by planting a crop of handmade floats each fall.
Beginning in mid-October, local glassblowers conceal brilliantly colored, signed and numbered glass floats along the 7.5 miles of public beach in Lincoln City, stretching from the Roads End State Recreation Site area to Cutler City. This year a total of 2,014 floats will be hidden along the coastline for lucky beachcombers to find.
Glassblower Bob Meyer, owner of Ocean Beaches Glassblowing & Gallery in Seal Rock, will make 150 floats this year, each in a kaleidoscope of vibrant color.
When looking for floats, train your eyes above the high-tide area and below the beach embankment. That’s the zone where the floats are hidden. And if you find one, it’s yours to keep. Each float is signed by the artist and numbered. Contact the Lincoln City Visitor and Convention Bureau for a certificate of authentication and information about the artist who crafted your float."
___________________________
We passed so many tempting sites and sights on the way, but I didn't stop. I did make a vow to come back often to the Oregon Coast and to devote a day or two to just going to all the campsites and recreation areas, scenic viewpoints and beach access trails. It seemed like every 50 yards there was another place I wanted to see. But, driven by our glass treasure hunt, we pressed on.
We did stop here, for lunch,
but only stayed as long as it took to eat.
I could have lingered here, as well as many of other gorgeous places along the way, but I wanted to have plenty of daylight left for glass hunting and playing on the beach when we got there.
It was about 3:30 by the time we pulled into Lincoln City.
It was foggy and cold. The temperature hadn’t reached above 55 degrees all day, in fact. It was quite chilly. And it was kind of a mad-house. It was mobbed with people. Everyone, his brother and their dog, it seems were also coming on a glass hunt today.
Suddenly, it wasn’t nearly as appealing as I had imagined it being. The last time we were in Lincoln City, we had the beach to ourselves. I guess this Finders Keepers Glass Treasure Hunt was a success in getting people to come to Lincoln City from all over.
However, considering the time of day (still early), the weather (cold and grey) and the scene (packed), I decided to keep driving on to Portland, where I was planning to drive to the next day. It seemed like taking the extra 90 minute drive was a better way to spend the afternoon than sitting in the Motel 6, dealing with the crowd on the beach or walking through Lincoln City. Portland was much more interesting a city to walk through, and it would mean tomorrow is a no-driving day.
So now I’m in Portland.
I will say this. It is definitely dinner time.
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