101 Things To Do Western Oregon

There are several reasons people choose Winchester Bay as their destination. It is home to Salmon Harbor Marina, Douglas County’s largest recreation area, where the Umpqua River – known for some of the best salmon fi shing on the coast – meets the Pacific Ocean. It is also a crab-lovers paradise. In this quaint fishing village outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of activities and adventure anytime of the year. Fishing, crabbing, clam digging, wildlife viewing, hiking, biking, kayaking, surfing, and ATV riding on the tallest accessible dunes in the country make Winchester Bay a favorite year-round getaway. This busy harbor and waterfront sports numerous restaurants and bars in which to sample the catch of the day, fresh crab, fi sh and chips, and fresh oysters. The docks are lined with bait and tackle shops, a cannery and markets. Shops can provide anglers with information, licenses and equipment along with T-shirts,
sweatshirts, souvenirs, unique gifts, salt water taffy, ice cream and much more.

In Old Town Reedsport, you will see the Main Street welcome banners on attractive old-fashioned lamp poles, beautiful hanging flower baskets (May through October) and chainsaw sculpted art lining the sidewalks that just make you want to stop and explore. After all, Reedsport is the Chainsaw Sculpting Capital of Oregon. With widened sidewalks, vintage storefronts and eclectic shops, visitors find a convenient and affordable base for exploration and discovery. The area’s rich landscape is a cornucopia of outdoor adventure and, because it is tucked just a bit inland, the wind is calmer here than in neighboring communities. The real difference between Reedsport/ Winchester Bay and other small beach towns is the friendly people who make this place “the heart of the dunes”. Reedsport is home to Fred Wahl Marine Construction (FWMC) a premier manufacturer of high quality commercial fishing vessels. Several of Fred Wahl’s vessels have appeared on “The Deadliest Catch”. And now that you are hungry, be sure to visit the restaurants, bakery and new Defeat River Microbrewery for a morsel in Old Town before you head to midtown and uptown for more shopping, more eating, more refreshments and enjoying all that Reedsport has to offer

Face Rock, a unique rock formation off the coast at Bandon, is rooted in local Indian legend. Many, many years ago, the legend begins from the Nah-So-Mah tribe. Chief Siskiyou, from the far mountains, traveled with his family and clansmen to the coast to trade with the four tribes who lived by the great sea they called Wecoma.

In his honor, the four chiefs planned the greatest potlatch in all memory. They roasted bear, salmon, elk and deer. Huge quantities of clams and mussels were steamed. Cedar bark trays were filled with honey and red and blue huckleberries.

The local tribes were all in great fear of Seatka, the evil spirit who lived in the sea. It was feared that Seatka might cause trouble for the people and their guest. Armed warriors stood guard on the bluff. However Princess Ewauna, the beautiful daughter of Chief Siskiyou, and those in her tribe who lived in the mountains were not afraid.

Ewauna was enchanted by the sea. After the feast when people were sleeping, she slipped away from camp, carrying a basket with her cat and kittens nestled inside, followed by her faithful dog, Komax. She wandered down to the ocean where she danced and played with delight.

The moon was full and Wecoma ran silver. Ewauna, who did not fear Seatka, swam in the sea, farther and farther from shore. Komax barked a warning but it was too late. The evil Seatka had captured the beautiful princess. The dog, carrying the basket of kittens, swam to his mistress and buried his teeth in the hand of Seatka. Howling, he shook off the dog and threw the cats into the sea. Seatka tried to make Ewauna look into his eyes, but she refused to look away from the great round moon.

When her father awoke, he raised the alarm. Everyone rushed to the shore of Wecoma. There they saw the lovely face of Ewauna gazing skyward. Her dog was on the beach howling for the princess, and the cat and kittens were in the sea to the west. In time, they all turned to stone, frozen forever as they were that long ago dawn.

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The Oregon Coast Military Museum, a 501c3 non-profit, opened its doorsin Florence on July 4^th, 2015, after a seven-year effort by locals to build a museum to honor the more-than 20% of Florence-area residents who are Veterans.  Intended to honor all eras of military heritage and all disciplines of military service, it is a small museum in comparison to other military museums around the country. The 3,000-square foot display space is filled with life-sized dioramas depicting scenes from WWI to Vietnam, plus a scaled diorama of a typical Iraqi village depicting a US military convoy traveling through. In addition to other smaller artifact displays and military artwork, the Museum also displays a ‘half-jeep’ for great ‘photo ops’ enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

While small by museum standards, this facility is jam-packed with artifacts, mementos and experiences all in an effort to serve the Museum’s mission “To Honor our Veterans by Educating Our Public.” In addition to a small gift shop, the Museum also features a small theater showing military films, a USO Canteen, and a lending library.

The initial membership drive to generate seed money, support and public awareness in the early days of our effort was the ‘Kilroy Corps’. Like the urban legend, ‘Kilroy Was Here’ borne of WWII, these Kilroy Corps members have the distinction of being there before all others and are named on a display in the gift shop.

Situated on Kingwood Street adjacent to the Florence Municipal Airport, the Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday Noon to 4. Admission is just $5.00. Be sure to visit this site when you’re traveling the Oregon coast.

For more information, call 541-902-5160 or visit www.oregoncoastmilitarymuseum.com

WHERE:  2145 Kingwood Street – Florence

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Jane’s Fabric Patch has been serving the Tillamook area for many years. They have supplies for whatever your sewing needs might be, including fabrics, notions, McCall’s patterns, quilting supplies, books and magazines, craft kits, pillow forms, batting, and gift items for quilters. Quilting is their specialty. With their huge choice of fabric and over 800 books on quilting, you are sure to find what you are looking for.  Classes are conducted for beginners as well as more experienced quilters, and there are sample quilts all over the store for you to study. If you love making flannel quilts, they have a huge selection to satisfy all palates. Whimsicals, juveniles, sporty, floral, bright and bold. They have a great selection of wide flannels for your quilt backs. They offer a wide selection of 90” and 108” quilt backing in lights, brights and prints, and also offer polar fleece solids and prints in their fabric lines. For cross stitch and embroidery enthusiasts, they carry a complete line of DMC floss, cross stitch fabrics, patterns,
embroidery transfers, redwork and bluework, beads and specialty threads. Stamped cross stitch kits are also available. Stop in and meet Jane, or visit their website at www.janesfabricpatch.com, or call 503-842-9392.

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Experience the smell of homemade waffle cones mingled with fresh baked cookies and cornbread as you endeavor to choose between more than one of your all-time favorite ice cream flavors. The player piano tickles the ivories in the background amusing itself as you attempt to make a choice. Do you go with what you know or what you know you love, or do you get a double scoop! Welcome to Serendipity Ice Cream. Serendipity Ice Cream is an old fashioned ice cream parlor located in downtown McMinnville’s historic Cook’s Hotel, built in 1886. In 2000 Mid-Valley Rehabilitation, Inc. renovated the Hotel’s elegant entrance and lobby to its original turn-of-the century charm and opened Serendipity Ice cream. Serendipity Ice Cream’s purpose is to provide job opportunities to adults with developmental disabilities while bringing back the sights, sounds and tastes of small
town America’s simple pleasures. Wendi and her staff would love to have you enjoy not only our historic setting and fresh homemade delectable treats, but join us for lunch and free WIFI.

Bring in your ticket stub from any McMinnville attraction featured in the current issue of “101 Things To Do©-Western & Coastal Oregon” and receive a free regular ice cream cone.

WHERE: 502 East 3rd St – McMinnville

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CALL:  503-474-9189

www.serendipityicecream.com