The Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area

Aloha Everyone,

Stretching 40 miles along the coast from Florence to Coos Bay and North Bend is amazing golden sand dunes of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

The dunes are a favorites place for residents to ride dune buggies.

Some sand dunes are nearly 500 feet tall and climbing one of these can be both challenging and exhilarating.

Yesterday afternoon, when I decided to climb up a dune, little girls were skillfully sand boarding down the dune which I estimated was about 100 yards long. I met Susie from Nashville, TN on my ascend. She told me that her husband, John, decided to stay at the bottom and let her go up to see if it was worth the climb.

I love walking in sand as it gives me an additional workout, but if you are not accustomed to it and especially going uphill, it could require a little work. However, Susie agreed that it was definitely worth it. Descending was quick and easy.

We woke up to a chilly morning of 48 degrees F. There were birds calls that sounded like owls but I was unable to see one. My morning exercise routine went well. When it is cold I need to keep on jumping up and down to stay warm.

This morning we drove south to visit several of the areas designated as the vista points. Adrian and Charles were also on the dune trail hike. They are residents of Green Valley, AZ. We enjoyed our conversation with them at the parking lot. 

The old town of Florence sits on a bend of the Siuslaw River. The town's history goes back over 150 years when it began as a logging community and fishing village.  

J.J. and I walked around the main street with Victorian Buildings and we checked out 3 restaurants before settling for a curious named place called 1285 Restorbar. The minute we walked in, the wonderful aroma of Italian cooking meant that we are in for an excellent meal.

We sat right by the chef's work station.

J.J.'s choice of grilled oysters

My Parmesan cheese crabcakes were served hot and delicious.

In addition to the miles of sand dunes, there are 32 fresh water lakes, rivers and the ever forests of beautiful Douglas-fir and Sitka Spruce. We visited a few lakes including Lily Lake, Woalink and Cleawox before returning to our camping ground.

Our site is one of the last loops within the Jessie M. Honeyman State Park. Based on the map we were given, it appears that behind us and behind the tall canopy of trees are sand dunes. Perhaps that is why, when the signals is not available in other parts of the park, we have signal strong enough to send and receive emails.

Aloha -- Cathi