VACATIONING ON THE OREGON COAST

Ocean Dreaming

By Bill Schneider, 2-17-07

Just in case you’re wondering, OC stands for the Oregon Coast. At least that’s what it says on my new baseball cap. Folks down in Orange County, California, also claim OC for their moniker, but I’m all for making it a trademark for the Oregon Coast because that’s I go in February. I did this “winter escape” last year and liked it so much, that I’m back on the OC.

The main reason people don’t come to the OC in the winter is the negative perception of the weather. They’ve heard it’s always cold and rainy, but it isn’t. Although it is today, I must admit, that gives me a good chance to get some work done, which is still mighty nice. But I only work, of course, only between frequent gazes out the glassed-in deck and bouts of ocean dreaming.

My boss back at NewWest.net is probably worried about me wasting the whole month of February beach hiking, catching steelhead, or riding by bike all day and then sampling local seafood and microbrews all night, and not getting any work done, but no, here I am slaving away for her. I sent her this picture to prove it.

If you opt for a winter escape on the OC, don’t expect sunbathing weather in January, February or March. It’s usually around 50 degrees, not many of those rainy days you heard about and no snow, which can be a big deal if you’re from Montana. At least that’s how it’s been this year and last and a couple of years before that, according to a friend who has been coming out to the OC for years and finally convinced me to do the same. Call it one positive impact of global climate change.

True, it’s almost that warm back in Helena, Montana, nowadays, again, perhaps, because of global warming, but without the ocean, it seems a lot colder.

I find the weather just right for a host of outdoor activities on sunny days and either work (if you’re like me and can’t give it up) or checking out a myriad of mainstream tourism opportunities like aquariums, museums, lighthouses, botanical gardens and an amazing number of scenic points along the Pacific Coast Highway, U.S. 101 and numerous spur roads jutting out to the coastline. If you can find a place with an ocean view, like I did, a delightful vacation rental called Whale’s Crossing, even the stormy days are pleasant.

I can’t really explain how this works, but somehow breathing the salty air, watching sanderlings scurrying around on the foamy edge of the surf, and listening to the rhythmic crashing of breakers, like the ocean’s heartbeat, makes it easier to be peaceful and harmonious about things. No worries about readers saying uncomplimentary things about me in the comment section, what the legislature is doing back home, continued escalation of Trillion Dollar War, or the stacks of undone work piled up on my desk. I find it easy to forget all that stress and do some ocean dreaming. Easy to write about it, too.

No wonder the sounds of waves on the beach make popular relaxation music. In front of our house, we have a small dune pond full of frogs. The frog music makes it even better, blending nicely with the surf sounds to make a unique concerto.

(Incidentally, frogs in February? What does that say about the climate on the OC?)

I suppose people who have lived on the OC for a long time take it for granted. They probably find sitting on top of a mountain in Montana, listening to the lichens grow and the many-voiced wind, just as soothing and inspiring. I’ve done that, too, and I’m not knocking it, but it falls short to ocean dreaming.

I’ve been rolling out early almost every morning for a four-mile run on the surf line, proud to make the first tracks on the beach. At home, I have to force myself to get your butt out of bed and go out for a run, but here, I can’t resist it. Even when my soon-to-be-doctor daughter tells me to take it rest day because I’m not a young anymore (always love hearing that, you know), I can’t help myself. The ocean makes me do it.

Oregon has 400 miles of coastline, and thanks to some incredible foresight by political leaders early in the state’s history, 90 percent of it is public. That’s different than most states, and such a valuable asset that it would be impossible to put a price tag on it.

The entire OC is like a long, thin nature resort, sprinkled with parks, campgrounds, mostly flat beaches, friendly little towns filled with gift shops and great places to eat, and thousands of vacation rentals (the subject of my next article). And in winter months, you can have it almost to yourself. We’ve taken several long hikes and haven’t seen another person on the beach. Ditto for several nice bike rides on forest-lined backroads. But if you need another reason to spend a few winter weeks out on the OC, here it is. There’s no better place for relaxing and some healthy ocean dreaming.

For more information, check out this excellent Travel Oregon website.http://www.traveloregon.com/

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