I GUESS WE WERE ALL GUILTY, in a way. We shot him, we skinned him, and we all got a complimentary bumper sticker that said, "I helped skin Bob." -- Jack Handey, The New Mexican, 1988
Indian Summer
When you hear the term "Indian Summer" folks are referring to the name given to a period of sunny, warm weather in autumn, not long before winter. Indian summer can be in September like it is now, but can also occur in October or even early November and it can persist for a few days or extend to week or more. It is a beautiful time of year and this year it seems to be showing off the beauty of several central Oregon coast spots.
Beginning with Seal Rock which is featured on the cover of this month's issue of Oregon Coast Magazine. In a great article written by Waldport resident Barbara B. Covell, Seal Rock is highlighted and noted for its amazing beach area. It is hard to pass through Seal Rock when the tide is out and not notice all the tide pools and rock formations. As I'm sure many of you have noticed, traffic does slow to a crawl as folks pull over to capture those sights their cameras. Continuing south and crossing the Alsea Bay Bridge into Waldport the sights continue to impress.
The beautification project of highway 101 through Waldport is now complete and thoroughly worth the wait and occasional inconviences associated with any highway beautification project. The new, old fashioned style streets lights, new trash receptacles, flower boxes and cross walks make downtown look very nice and as Indian summer continues visitors to Waldport leisurely stroll through town enjoying the sights and visiting the new information kiosk at Keedy Wayside.
Although the summer tourist season is nearing the end the beaches of both Seal rock and Waldport continue attract beachgoers. Further to the south the highway leads to Yachats. Here the bay glistens in the sun, the wide expanse of beach when the tide is out is inviting to people and many of their four legged friends who never seem to tire of jumping into either the ocean or Yachats river in search of a thrown object to fetch.
Walking through downtown Yachats visitors and residents alike are offered a wide variety of choices. There are shops that offer wine tasting, restaurants and coffee shops, a book store, gift stores and a colorful sea scape mural adorns the front of Luna Sea Products; the new fresh fish market and restaurant. A short walk from the center of town down 2nd streetleads to the Yachats State Park with its recently mowed lawn and popular viewing platform.
As pelicans fly by in formations and the Bald Eagle overlooks the bay, the "Gem of the Oregon" coast is doing it's best to live up to its name. And in grand style this Indian summer it appears that every lawn in the village was just mowed and the green grass sparkles all over the village. Indian summer will end, the rains are inevitable, but if you get the chance visit this part of the Central Oregon Coast do it!
To reach Rick Schultze email yarick@pioneer.net
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