Getting Oregonized
18 years ago, we snowshoed up Vail Pass and married ourselves. That was a perfect start to our unconventional life. It was a happy anniversary to us!
After agreeing to camp host on Oregon's coast for the month March, we were informed that we would need to arrive 10-14 days early to quarantine since we were coming from out of state. That had us arriving February 18th. What in the heck! Winter on the coast can be quite stormy and had been this year. But we got lucky and arrived in time for the mild weather to arrive. Other than a few days, the storms off the Pacific Ocean would split and go around Bandon. There is only a 15 degree difference
between winter and summer on Oregon's coast. As long as the highs were in the low 50s and the sun was shining, it was pleasant for a bike ride.
We had a couple of bike riding options while camp hosting on Oregon's coast. The Beach Loop and return through the cranberry bogs or North Bank Lane along the Coquille River through
farm country.
The Beach Loop overlooks Coquille Lighthouse.
A stop for a light lunch at Bandon Brewery got chilly while sitting outside in the ocean breeze, making our teeth chatter on the last three miles home. We managed to have take away
at several food trail restaurants along the coast.
In the winter, only 1 of the 3 loops are open for campers and usually pretty full. Part of our camp host jobs were to help clean up the other two loops. We would rake and blow a site or
two clean each day. With 54 sites in the B loop, we would be done in time for it to open in May.
One early morning, we heard raking and blowers in the "B" loop. The rangers at Bullards had gotten a call saying that Sunset Beach Campground would be closing due to sewer problems and it was the first Friday of spring break weeks. The rangers were out in full force, rakes in hand and equipment in tow for the challenge of opening by the end of the day to take in Sunset's refugees. We can't have disappointed campers. Everyone pitched in.
Before
After
Most days we walk the 1.25 miles to the beach and pick up any trash we see along the way, before starting our daily duties.
These very small pieces of plastic can be seen along the entire beach.
Pearls Trail
Another path for a morning walk runs from the middle loop of the campground for a walk on the boardwalk.
We rarely saw a car while riding along the Coquille River.
At low tide we visit the tide pools and high tide watch for migrating whales in the distance.
We are finishing up our final day of hosting but will stay a few more days to get our second vaccine before heading to warmer pastures.
