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

For my birthday each year, to no one's surprise, I've taken to catching a bus to the coast. This year (2025) I picked Lincoln City. It's a surprisingly simple trip from Eugene. My plan was to catch the first bus to the coast, and return on the last bus back to the valley. That would provide for 7.5 hours in Lincoln City. Plans change. I noticed that on the morning following my birthday there was to be a minus tide. On a previous visit I had made a mental note to try to get to the mouth of Siletz Bay at the southern end of Lincoln City in Taft during a good low tide. I wanted to try to find some agates, or other pretty rocks.  So I'd be staying the night. I booked a room at Chinook Winds Casino Resort. Conveniently, the casino is also the bus transfer point in Lincoln City, with connections north into Tillamook County and south to Newport, as well as west to Salem. It has a large covered shelter with benches, and is less than five minutes from the beach for longer layove...

 I do not ever need a reason to take the bus to the coast, but when one presents itself, I'll jump at it. Such was the case when Special Olympics Oregon scheduled a regional track and field competition at North Bend High School. I've been a volunteer photographer for Special Olympics for some time now, and didn't hesitate to seize the opportunity. Or rather, the opportunities. It would be a simple trip to get there. The morning Link Lane bus from the Eugene Amtrak Station to Three Rivers Casino in Florence. There's a half hour layover before the Coos County Area Transit (CCAT) bus heading south. This is a good place and enough time to use the restroom. No bags are allowed in the casino, but you can check them with the valet. I tip a couple bucks. It is often money well spent. Especially if I had too much coffee before leaving Eugene. North Bend VA Clinic Transfer Point The meet was on a Saturday, so I'd travel the Friday before. Had the competition been scheduled fo...