Thursday, June 30, 2011

The Coho Oceanfront Lodge Present

Beach Combing

As any dedicated beachcomber can tell you, the best of the sea’s treasure comes ashore after a big storm and an especially high tide. You’ll find beautiful driftwood, agates, shells, sea creatures, fishing boat equipment, and if you’re lucky, a Japanese fishing float shaken loose from the seaweedy depths, or a multi-colored handblown float from Lincoln City’s Glass Floats Finders Keepers Event. The mighty Pacific gives up treasures, large and small, for Lincoln City beachcombers who have the patience and luck to find them.

For some, there’s no prize like an agate. The semi-transparent stones are pieces of quartz, carnelian, chalcedony and jasper that come loose from the headlands during storms and are left behind when the waves recede at low tide. Agates come in all colors, but most of them are clear or milky. Some even contain tiny fossils.

Japanese glass fishing floats are highly valued by dedicated beachcombers. Some of these absorbingly beautiful finds are huge, up to two and three feet in diameter; most, however, are between four inches and a foot wide. They come in various shapes, colors and sizes, but the most common are ball-shaped and are blue or green. They are becoming increasingly rare as fishing boats around the world convert to modern materials like plastic or Styrofoam to float their nets. When the glass versions do appear, they are usually very old and have spent many years drifting in the Pacific Ocean.

But floats and agates are only the beginning. Part of the fun of beachcombing is finding a mystery, a piece of something that could be flora or fauna, man-made or naturally occurring. Old bits of ocean-worn glass, boat equipment from around the world, netting, rope and other curiosities abound.

Perhaps the most fruitful season for beachcombing is the winter, after a particularly high tide and after a big storm. But beware: that’s also the most dangerous time to be on the beach. When looking for good things on the Oregon coast, be on your guard. Keep a sharp watch for so-called “sneaker waves” that can sweep the unwary out into the surf. Also, stay away from logs and timber that can be caught by the waves.

Walking the beaches of Oregon can yield a treasure trove – agates, shells, nets, driftwood, a multitude of gifts from the sea. But in Lincoln City, beachcombers can also find brand-new art glass floats, gifts from the City of Lincoln City as part of its yearly Glass Floats Finders Keepers Event.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Just a reminder

Partly SunnyThe forcast for Lincoln City, OR calls for 70 degrees and Sunny tommorow.  Will The Coho Oceanfront Lodge have the privilage of hosting your sunny Oregon Coast adventure?

Thursday, June 23, 2011

The sea is a brutal place

I found this sea anenome eating a sea urchin yesterday at Yaquina Head. Ewww....not a good day for that sea urchin. Are you coming to play at The Coho Oceanfront Lodge? It's almost the weekend and the sun is shining bright!

Sea

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Free Soda!

 The Coho Oceanfront Lodge is offering a free, Virgil's soda, to any guest who "check in" online, on our Facebook fan page and physically in person. In order for us to track who has checked in, you need to "like" The Coho fan page, before you "check in". For more information, please contact the Coho by calling 541-994-3684.

Friday, June 17, 2011

The Coho Oceanfront Lodge of Lincoln City, Oregon suggests "Drift Creek Falls Trail"

About a 12 mile drive outside of the center of Lincoln City, you’ll find an amazing hiking trail.  This is by far one of my favorites on the coast.  It’s a 3 mile roundtrip hiketo a breathtaking 80 foot waterfall.  After 1 1/4 mile, you will reach the longest suspension bridge in Oregon, spanning 240 feet, right above the top of the falls. 

This trail is pet friendly (leashed of course), and costs $5 which can be deposited in a collection bin at the trail entrance. 

It took me about 25 minutes to reach the falls, and about 30 minutes to get back.  Give yourself a little more time if you want to stop and take pictures along the way.

Directions – From the junction of Hwy. 101 and Hwy. 18 (north of Lincoln City), take Hwy. 18 east 4.5 miles. Turn south on Bear Creek Road (also marked as Cougar Mountain and Drift Creek Covered Bridge), and travel 3.5 miles until the road becomes F.S. Road 17. The trailhead is 7 miles

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Otis Cafe – “Worth the Weight”

April 1, 2011

You may have driven right past this restaurant on the way into town, and noticed the gravel parking lot full of cars, or people waiting outside for a table.  This small little home, bult in the 1920′s, has been serving up homemade food from scratch for the past 80 years.  This is hands down my favorite place for breakfast… period.  Here is an example of one of their specials…

“Red-neck Benedict” – Biscuits split in half topped with sausage, scrambled eggs, and smothered in sausage gravy.  Served with Hash Browns – $10.95

Don’t forget to upgrade the Hash Browns to “German Potatoes”…. they add grilled onions and smother the potatoes with white cheddar cheese.  So good!

All of the breakfast entries are reasonably priced.  But, I must warn you… if you’re anything like me, you probably won’t be able to leave without purchasing one of their many freshly made  baked goods.  (best sellers include 2 lbs. Molasses Loaf Bread, Marionberry Pie, Cinnamon Rolls, or my absolute favorite the Apple Crunch Pie).  All from scratch and worth every calorie.

Also for sale is their famous “Otis Cafe Seasoning Salt”.  You can try it on your meal while you are there, and then purchase by the jar or by the pound on your way out.

As you can tell, I’m crazy about this place.  Hope you try it and let me know what you think.

Otis Cafe / 1259 Salmon River Hwy, Otis, OR 97368 / 541-994-2813

 

After you fill up on delicious food, why not find a comfortable, luxurious place to lay your head down, at The Coho Oceanfront Lodge.

Friday, June 10, 2011

The Coho Monthly - June Edition

The Coho Monthly - April Edition


 

Reservations



Guest Rooms

Packages

Amenities

Blog

Rockin the Rokkaku

Rockin' The Rokkaku in LC

Named as one of the best places to fly a kite by Kitelines Magazine in 2010/2011, Lincoln City Oregon will let their colored wonders fly for the 27th annual, Summer Kite Festival, June 25th - 26th. This year's events will feature building your own kites, running of the bol (kites), and even a massive Rokkaku display. This will be a two day event, so before it is to late, reserve your room at The Coho Oceanfront Lodge for a couple of nights to make sure you get a chance to enjoy everything this festival has to offer.

Did you know, the Grey Whale migrates over 10,000 miles each year?
Soundwave Music Festival June 11th - 19th

Lincoln City and the central Oregon coast will be energized by Maestro Yaacov Bergman conducting classical works from composers such as Haydn and Mozart, and by the world premiere of jazz master Dick Hyman’s musical portrait of a conversation between piano, violin, and a full orchestra.  For more information, click here.

Soundwave Music Festival
Coastal Exotic Car Show June 17th - 19th

Live music, art, wine, exotic animals and of course exotic cars both vintage and new age will be featured at this year's Oregon Coast Exotic Car Show. All benefits of this year's show will go the Oregon Coast Aquarium. For more information, call 503-702-4186 or visit the website by clicking here.

Coastal Exotic Car Show
Bay-Front Street Festival June 11th

This year, Lincoln City will be the host of even more vendors and music at The Bay-Front Street Fair, happening June 11th. The festival will take place on SW 51st street from 12pm - 6pm. Art vendors and bands from across the Pacific Northwest will set up at the Cultural Center as well from 9am - 7pm. For more information call 541-557-1110, or click here.

Bay-Front Street Festival
Chinook Winds Celebration June 24th - 25th

Chinook Winds Casino will be celebrating their 16th year of being in business, with raffles, a performance by Aaron Lewis and a large fireworks display. Raffles and concerts will start around 8pm, with the fireworks display starting at 10pm, after the concert on Saturday, June 25th. For more information, please click here.

Chinnok Winds Celebration
Hawaiian Small Plates Demo June 25th

There will be a Hawaiian Small Plates Demo class at the Culinary Center in Lincoln City from 11AM - 2PM on June 25th. The cost will be $50 and includes a meal and wine. For More Chef Sharon Wiest at 541-557-1125, 800-452-2151 or visit the Culinary Center's website by clicking here.

Hawaiian Small Plates Demo
Always something going on at The Coho Oceanfront Lodge!
Beach Bonfire Package

Beach Bonfire Package Only $49

Celebrate the coming of the long and warmer days of summer, with a beach bonfire package. The package comes complete with everything that you need for a roaring bonfire. The best part, this package can be added to any room at The Coho. For more information about the package,
click here.

Go Green and Help Keep The Word Beautiful

Go Green and Help Keep The World Beautiful

The Native American story of Salmon teaches us if we crave for the fruits of the earth, we must respect Mother Nature. To view a list of everything that The Coho Oceanfront Lodge is doing to go green, click here. To find out what you can do to limit your environmental impact, click here.

Free Soda!

Free Soda! Just for checking in on Facebook

The Coho Oceanfront Lodge is offering a free, Virgil's soda, to any guest who "check in" online, on our Facebook fan page and physically in person. In order for us to track who has checked in, you need to "like" The Coho fan page, before you "check in". For more information, please call 541-994-3684.

The Coho Oceanfront Lodge
1635 NW Harbor Ave Lincoln City, OR
http://www.thecoholodge.com
E-mail: reservations@thecoholodge.com

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Chef Sharon Wiest doesn't mind a crowd in her kitchen at the Culinary Center in Lincoln City

Lincoln City Hotels Oregon
If you love to cook, eat, or any combination of the two… you must sign up for one of Lincoln City’s amazing cooking classes at the Culinary Center. With a range of classes from Vietnamese Cuisine to a hands on summer Pasta Making Workshop, you are sure to find something that wets your appetite.

Chef Sharon Wiest leads the class in a way that has something for everyone. Whether you are an expert or novice behind theh apron. Each class has a guest Chef from a local restaurant, which is another great way to learn about places to eat and explore in Lincoln City. Not only do you learn how to make fabulous new food, you get to try what is made! All of the produce used is organic, or grown locally. The kitchen is ran sustainably, composting and recycling any waste. This is definately a great way to spend a few hours on your vacation.

Every time you make a dish that you learned in your class, you’ll remember your trip to Lincoln City, and the fun you had that day. Most of the classes fill up weeks in advance, so make sure you call before your trip.http://www.oregoncoast.org/culinary/index.php.

The Coho Oceanfront Lodge also features a culinary package that includes your choice of a demonstration or a hands-on class, a meal and wine or other beverages and concierge service to coordinate your schedule vs classes offered at the Culinary Center. For more information, please visit our packages page by clicking here, or by calling 541-994-3684 or toll free 1-800-848-7006.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Beach and Bay Adventures on Central Oregon Coast: Lincoln City by Day and Night

(Lincoln City, Oregon) – The central Oregon coast town is big on fluffy sands that go on for miles and miles, broken only a few easily traversable streams, until it dead-ends at Siletz Bay. It’s a mixture of pleasant walks on the beach and bayside repose, along with just about every modern convenience you could ever want just a few steps from the beach – or at least a short drive.

At its northern end sit beach accesses like the Grace Hammond access, near NW 34th (seen above). Here, a touching dog memorial sign pays tribute to faithful furry friends of the past, a small sign that seems to welcome people with their pets, as if to say: “Our pooch loved this spot. Yours will too.”

Periodically around Lincoln City, the sand at the tide line makes a slightly steep downward turn, which creates interesting tidal conditions, adding to the fun.

Other spots, given the right conditions, you can see the sands shifting before your eyes, as wind sends masses of the stuff soaring on a low level flight that’s a bit mesmerizing and hypnotizing.

Sometimes the best options are viewing the beach from above. There’s actually a new park for this, located next to The Coho Oceanfront Lodge. It’s called Oceanview Walk Park, built and funded by the family that owns the hotel – but it’s considered part of the city’s park system. It’s a tiny place, perfect for reflection on the action of the waves below.

Down at Siletz Bay, the view from the southern end is one of the more famous views on the Oregon coast, an iconic bit of a rocky bulb sitting in this picturesque bay.

Up close on the bay, it’s all logs - all the time. Behemoth wooden monsters have been tossed here with regularity by storms, creating some magnificent hiding spots for creating bonfires and for sitting down next to them.

As if the scenic beauty of this central Oregon coast hotspot during the wasn’t enough, at night it’s a stunning, surreal and new world. The bay itself presents all sorts of engaging images to take in after dark, whether it’s watching fishing boat lights in the distance, listening to the lapping of the waves against the dock, or seeing what fun and funky dances the moonlight gets into on the water.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Hawaiian Small Plates Demo

Hawaiian Small Plates Demo class at the Culinary Center in Lincoln City from 11AM - 2PM. Cost: $50, includes meal and wine. FMI Chef Sharon Wiest at 541-557-1125, 800-452-2151 orwww.oregoncoast.org/culinary.  You can also book your reservations for this culinary class when you reserve your room at The Coho Oceanfront Lodge.  Call 541-994-3684 to reserve your room today!