Saturday, November 16, 2013

November 16, 2-13 Oregon Dunes National Recreation area

High in the 50’s today, wind and  80% chance of rain. Great day for the beach. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation area is the largest area of coastal sand dunes in North America with  wind sculpted dunes up to 500 feet tall.Stretching  for more than 40 miles along the coast, 14,300 acres of recreation area is open to dune and trail riding. Other portions offer hiking, camping and day use areas.

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We stopped at the museum at Umpqua Lighthouse. The light house keepers and a rescue team- precursor to the coast guard lived here at the quarters. There were many ship wrecks due to the fierce storm waves and the shifting sands of the Umpqua bar. This 36 foot boat is a self righting, self bailing rescue boat. The original ones the men rowed into the waves, this one had an engine. Some of the dunes open to ATV’s, in the fog.

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The sun came out briefly. The dune riding looked fun, John wouldn’t let me, he knew I would wreck one and he didn’t want to drive me to the hospital. I bet this place is crazy in the summer.

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We decided to walk on the beach. We walked 4 miles, it is so easy to walk much farther than you think you have on the beach.

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John dressed for a fall day at the beach in Oregon. I think we wore just as many clothes to ski in the winter when it was really cold.

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Rain clouds heading in. John enjoying lunch on the beach.

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More rain clouds. A tsunami siren on the beach. This things sounds and you head for the hills as fast as possible.

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You can sand camp on the dunes. They have assigned sites, $10 for 5 vehicles and 20 people per site. You can even reserve the sites. Sand Access point and Dune access corridor.

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Sand art, if the light was just right on the foam on the beach it reflected my coat and the sky, two kinds of barnacles.

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The south jetty of Umpqua  bay.

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