Two Good Shoes & Exact Change : Exploring the Oregon Coast by Bus

The Umpqua River Lighthouse A friend recently shared about staying in a "Deluxe" yurt at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park. I've gone yurt camping by bus before, but "Deluxe?" What's more, I've been to the Umpqua River Lighthouse many times, but I had never realized that just past the lighthouse a half mile or less, is the Umpqua Lighthouse State Park campground. I checked the Oregon State Parks web site and learned deluxe yurts include a full bathroom with shower, refrigerator, microwave, and even a DVD player with TV. I checked availability which is always a challenge. I just scrolled forward until I found a three night opening. Reservations at state parks can be made six months in advance, so anything available in the immedite future would be the result of a cancellation. I booked the stay, which was for a Tuesday through Friday.  Coos County Area Transit (CCAT) operates the Florence Express, the bus route between Florence and Coos Bay. Winchester Bay li...

Proposal Rock with the Ghost Forest in the foreground People generally look at a calendar when it comes time to plan a vacation. I sometimes do as well. But, I am more likely to check the tide tables published by Oregon State Parks first. I scan upcoming days or weeks looking for exceptionally low or high tides that occur during daylight hours. The Oregon Coast offers some special treats during minus tides. The same is true for King tides, but I'll save that for another time. Very low, or "minus" tides expose stretches of coastline usually under water, even at regular low tides. When I noticed an upcoming midweek opportunity, I thought of two things I wanted to see: the ship's boiler for which Boiler Bay is named, and the Neskowin Ghost Forest. I had a trip planned to Lincoln City, which is one bus stop from Neskowin, so the ghost forest won out. Looking through the ghost forest to the ocean There are two schools of thought regarding the origin of the Neskowin Ghost F...