Thursday, March 29, 2012

Value is Big Draw for The Coho Oceanfront Lodge

Lincoln City Hotels Oregon Sunset Suite

No matter how much you travel, it's always delightful to find unexpected values while on the road, such as those provided by The Coho Oceanfront Lodge in Lincoln City, Ore. And everyone will get something free to enjoy-kids, parents, grandparents and adult couples.

Travelers will first appreciate the freshly ground, free coffee and a just-baked cookie at the front desk. But the most popular item is the free, hearty continental breakfast that goes beyond coffee, juice and rolls to include freshly made waffles, biscuits and gravy, oatmeal, fresh fruit, hard boiled eggs, pastries and muffins.

The Coho, located in the heart of Lincoln City at 1635 N.W. Harbor, also has added a second complimentary wine reception so that travelers wishing to relax after a long drive can enjoy a glass of red or white Northwest wine on both Wednesdays and Fridays. Also on Fridays, hotel guests are further pampered with chair massages.

Unlike big city hotels, The Coho Oceanfront Lodge does not charge for parking nor for wireless Internet service. Kids and adults both will enjoy free use of board games and binoculars which let guests scan the horizon of the vast Pacific Ocean. Weather permitting, adults also may request free use of gas fire pits, all the better to set a romantic mood on the Oregon Coast. Canadian visitors also will receive a free, crisp $10 American bill, subject to requirements.

In addition to the freebies, many of the hotel's packages will be well worth the extra fee. For example, an extra $49 will get you the Beach Bonfire Package that includes firewood, roasting sticks for hot dogs, graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows for s 'mores, a beach mat and beach bag.

The Kids' Beach Package is just $25 and includes two kiddy kites, beach toys, snacks, a beach ball, beach towel, family guide with a list of local and family friendly destinations, unlimited DVD rentals and unlimited use of board games. For more information on the hotel, rates, availability and additional packages, please call 541-994-3684.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Harts Cove Hike

Getting there: Head north from Lincoln City on US 101. Take the Neskowin ramp (left) at the junction of Hwy 18 and US 101. Continue north for about 3.5 miles. Turn west (left) onto unpaved Road 1861, stay left at the fork about 2.6 miles to stay on 1861 for another 1.9 miles. This will bring you to a sign marking the beginning of Harts Cove Trail.

To protect endangered butterflies and fragile wildflowers on the headland, the access road gate is closed from January 1st to July 15th. Be aware that after persistent rains, the Harts Cove Trail can be muddy; wear appropriate footgear, not sneakers and definitely not flip-flops. Also, some places along the trail are more vulnerable to the coastal winds.

The Hart’s Cove Trail is a 5.2 mile RT hike (moderately difficult due to the 1000ft elevation change) that starts out by switch-backing downhill through a young coastal forest. Railroad tie steps here help make footing better. Very little light reaches the forest floor and undergrowth is sparse. Don’t despair, you are not just in another piece of the coastal rain forest; you will reach your goal before much longer. After about half a mile, you’ll cross Cliff Creek Bridge and begin climbing a varied, moderate grade. Another mile brings you to a bench where you will get a glimpse of the headland. Do not go down the side trail here that takes off to the left thinking you will get a better view. You will be disappointed and simply have to climb back up. Half a mile further and you will be able to hear the sea lions and seals that make the other side of the cove their hangout. Once you reach the gorgeous meadow that was once part of the Taggard homestead, take the left-most path down the grassy bluff to the cliff-edge view point overlooking the cove for a marvelous vista of the Cove and Chitwood Creek Falls. The seals and sea lions you are hearing are out of sight around the promontory.

For the adventurous (not recommended for children), climb back up about 50 yards to a junction and head seaward. A challenging scramble down this trail leads down to the edge of this lava rock headland. The waves alternately display and hide barnacles, sea stars and sea palms. Remember, wherever you climb down, you will have to climb back up.

After a nice long hike, why not relax at The Coho Oceanfront Lodge?  Our newly renovated hotel features a luxurios indoor heated pool, jacuzzi and sauna, as well as a selection of spa services.  For more information, visit http://www.thecoholodge.com.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Katy's big find!

One of our young guests with the TWO glass floats she found on the beach!

A Visual Guide To Oregon Coast Ghost Forests (Part 2)

To view Part 1, please click here

These 2 are HUGE & SPRAWLING! Most of them don't have quite this scale...

 

See? Huge...

 

Here's the another amazing factoid:
this stump is estimated to be around 2 Thousand years old!

 

The Oregon Coast Ghost Forests are an ecological treat for all sorts of beach-goers!

 

The Barnacles like them too!

Come out to the Oregon Coast and see these beautiful natural features for yourself!

Coming soon: find out how this happened...

Until then, check out all that we offer at the Coho Oceanfront Lodge

Photos & text by Liza Carlson

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Whale Watching Week Starts March 23, 2012

Article by The Oregon Coast Visitors Association (http://visittheoregoncoast.com/)


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Whale watching is a year-round activity on the Oregon Coast with gray whales by far the most commonly seen. Whale watching is not difficult, but a few tips make it easier. Any location with an ocean view may yield whale sightings, and morning light with the sun at your back is best. First locate whale spouts with your naked eye; then focus more closely with binoculars. For an even closer view, try whale watching from a charter boat. And some people prefer the view from above—from an airplane or helicopter. Both charter boats and air services are available (and listed below). And, of course, calmer days are best, whether by land, sea, or air.


Gray Whale Migration


Gray whales migrate South from their feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi seas around Alaska from mid-December through January. They are heading to their breeding grounds in Baja California, Mexico, where warm-water lagoons become nurseries for expectant mothers. Then from late March to June the whales migrate North back to Alaska. On each trip, approximately 18,000 gray whales pass close to the Oregon Coast.


The Whale Watch Center in Depoe Bay


On the trip down, these giant mammals head South on a direct course, move quickly, and mostly stay about 5 miles offshore. At their peak, about 30 whales pass by each hour. Coming back, the whales travel much more leisurely and stay closer to shore—within a half mile is not unusual. The non-breeding males and females lead the way back with some early birds starting in late February. They may even pass stragglers still heading south. The northward migration continues at a slower pace and mothers with young don’t usually appear until May.


Resident Gray Whales in Summer


Some gray whales do not continue on to Alaskan waters but stay off the coast of Oregon between June and November. These part-time residents number about 200. About 60 whales are seen repeatedly off the central coast and have been photographed and identified. Of these, about 40 hang out between Lincoln City and Newport each year because that seems to be what the food supply will support.


The Whale Watch Center in Depoe Bay


Whale Watching Spoken Here Program


Each year peak migration times coincide with people’s vacation times. The Whale Watching Spoken Here program takes advantage of this coincidence with two weeks of assisted whale watching: one is the week between Christmas and New Year’s and the other is during the last week in March. During each whale-watch week hundreds of volunteers man 26 sites along the coast from Ilwaco, Washington to Crescent City, California.


New Summer Whale Watch Week


Since 2004, a third Whale Watching Spoken Here week has been added, and it’s scheduled during the last week of August through the first Monday in September. The summer whale watch locations are those along the central coast and focus on the part-time resident whales.


How to Become a Whale Watch Volunteer


To be a volunteer in winter, spring, or summer, you don’t have to be a whale expert, but you do have to attend one weekend of training. Volunteers come from all walks of life: from high school students to retirees, from coastal residents to inland city dwellers. The common denominator is an interest in whales—especially gray whales. As a volunteer you’ll learn a great deal about these fascinating leviathons, meet interesting people, and share what you’ve learned with visitors. It’s exciting to be the one to point and shout, “Over there!” and see the look of wonder that appears when someone sees their very first whale.


For further information or a registration form for the training weekend, contact Dave Newton, Whale Watch Volunteer Coordinator, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, 198 NE 123rd Street, Newport, OR 97365, 541-765-3407; fax 541-765-3402; whale.watching@state.or.us; www.whalespoken.org. Preregistration is required because of limited space. You may register for training and/or sign up for whale watch week by mail, e-mail, phone, fax, or dropping in to visit at the Whale Watching Center on Highway 101at the south end of the bridge in Depoe Bay.  Remember, Whale watching week is a very busy time for the oregon coast, so make sure you book your hotel now!  We suggest a hotel such as The Coho Oceanfront Lodge, one of the top Lincoln City Oregon Hotels, because of it's full unobstructed ocean view. 


As a Whale Watch Volunteer


Whether you sign up for a couple days or a week, it’s your responsibility to arrive early at your whale watching site to help set up, be on duty from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then help pull siting information together and put everything away. Usually two (or more) volunteers are at each site, and usually the more experienced one is in charge of putting up the Whale Watching Spoken Here sign and bringing the literature about gray whales and the program. You’ll find that visitors stop no matter what the weather.


Feeding and Diving Whale Facts


You’ll learn that gray whales are baleen whales. This means when feeding for small crustaceans on the ocean floor, the whales roll on their sides and scoop up water and sediments. They then force the water and sediments out through the fringed baleen plates that hang from either side of their upper jaw where teeth would otherwise be. You’ll learn that gray whales have double spouts just like all baleen whales. That the blow is not a fountain of water, but of mist that condenses immediately as warm moist air is exhaled under high pressure from their lungs. And that gray whales have a rhythmic breathing pattern during migration—three to five short, shallow dives of 15 to 30 seconds each followed by a long, deep dive of three to six minutes. When you see flukes, it usually signals a deep dive.


Spy Hopping and Breaching Behavior


The two whale behaviors that get people excited are spy hopping—where the head sticks straight up out of the water—and breaching—where 1/2 to 3/4 of the body length comes up out of the water and falls on its side or back causing a tremendous splash.


Bruce Mate’s theory on spy hopping goes against the conventional wisdom that it’s to see what is happening. Mate suggests that it’s to help the whales hear better; he has observed that during spy hop behavior the eyes do not always come above the surface of the water. During migration, it may be to hear the surf since their route follows the coastline.


As far as breaching goes, Mate says, “They don’t seem to injure themselves. Once one starts, others follow—like humans yawning.” He goes on to say that no one knows why they do it; theories range from a way to knock off external parasites, such as barnacles, to a form of communication . . . or just for the fun of it.


Where to Spot Whales


From north to south, these are the 26 Whale Watching Spoken Here sites. With or without a volunteer to assist, these are the best locations along the coast to spot whales.



  • Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Ilwaco, Washington

  • Ecola State Park

  • Neahkahnie Mountain Historic Marker Turnout on Highway 101

  • Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint

  • Cape Lookout State Park – 2.5 mile hike to site at tip of Cape

  • Cape Kiwanda

  • Inn at Spanish Head  Lobby on 10th floor

  • Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint

  • The Whale Watching Center/Depoe Bay Sea Wall

  • Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint

  • Cape Foulweather

  • Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area

  • Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

  • Don Davis City Park

  • Cape Perpetua Interpretive Center

  • Cook’s Chasm Turnout

  • Sea Lion Caves Turnout – large Highway 101 turnout south of tunnel

  • Umpqua Lighthouse, near Umpqua Lighthouse State Park

  • Shore Acres State Park

  • Face Rock Wayside State Scenic Viewpoint

  • Cape Blanco Lighthouse, near Cape Blanco State Park

  • Battle Rock Wayfinding Point, Port Orford

  • Cape Sebastian

  • Cape Ferrelo

  • Harris Beach State Park, Brookings, Oregon

  • 9th Street Beach, Crescent City, California


Whale Watching by Sea and Air


More than one of these charter businesses—both boats and planes—stressed that whale watching is better in the spring through fall when the weather is more pleasant and the seas and skies less rough.


Charterboats:



  • Linda Sue III Charters & Troller, Rockaway Beach, 503-355-3419

  • D&D Charters (spring through fall), Garibaldi, 800-900-HOOK (4665)

  • Tradewinds Charters, Depoe Bay, 800-445-8730

  • Dockside Charters, also have Zodiacs, Depoe Bay, 800-733-8915

  • Marine Discovery Tours (spring through fall), 65-foot Discovery, Newport 800-903-BOAT (2628)

  • Bayfront Charters, Newport, 800-828-8777

  • Sea Gull Charters, Newport, 800-865-7441

  • Newport Tradewinds, Newport, 800-676-7819

  • Newport Marina Store and Charters, South Beach, 541-867-4470

  • Betty Kay Charters, Charleston, 800-752-6303

  • Tidewind Sportfishing, Brookings, 800-799-0337


 

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Oregon Coasts Commitment To Going "Green"

Couple

Travel and tourism is one of the world’s largest industries in operation today. With the year’s impending close, reflecting back on the nearly 1 billion tourists who explored the world in 2011, there’s an increasing importance for travelers to be conscious of their impact on the earth whilst on their journeys. Yet, in the midst of the rising popularity of going “Green” and the trend of being environmentally friendly, it is easier to travel responsibly and with an effort to preserve and protect the environment of the place you're visiting.

On the Oregon Coast, we are blessed with incredible surroundings-- beautiful land, as well as a thriving ocean, and a rich culture. We have a special duty to our area because of the delicate eco-systems and environments that share our habitation. As a locally-owned and operated hotel, we strive to help our visitors join in on this responsibility towards intentional conservation. We do this in many ways. We have implemented continuing programs to conserve natural resources, reduce waste and minimize pollution. In partnership with the Green Hotels Associations, following is a sample of a few of the initiatives The Coho Oceanfront Lodge has committed to in being a “Green” hotel:

  • Low-flow sink aerators and low-flow showerheads
  • 1.6 gpm toilet or toilet adaptations
  • Fluorescent energy-saving lighting
  • Amenities - 100% natural, soy-based ink, vegetable-oil base, and dye-free
  • Paper products - recycled, biodegradable; No Styrofoam usage
  • Cleaning products and laundry detergents - nontoxic, phosphate-free, biodegradable and recycled packaging
  • Hot water - 125-130 degrees F (52-55 degrees C)
  • Linens changed between guests or on request only (towels on floor or in tub)
  • Bamboo-blended towels - natural antibacterial and moisture-wicking qualities
  • Extra blankets - room can be kept colder on winter nights if guests prefer
  • Recycling program in place; Recycling notice for guest involvement
  • Glass water glasses (not plastic)
  • Cloth laundry bags (retired sheets)
  • Digital heating thermometers
  • Hydronic heating system

Although traveling to and exploring new places and cultures is a positive endeavor, the potential harmful effects of tourism can have both local and global reaches. Traveling green is an important and essential way to care for the places you love to stay, preserving them for others to enjoy for years to come. As an added bonus, reducing your traveling footprint often makes for a more satisfying and authentic experience. With a mindful approach to travel, you are able to form deeper connections with the people and places you visit.

As part of this endeavor, before traveling, research your choices available for Eco-friendly lodging. “Green” hotels are environmentally-friendly properties whose managers are eager to institute programs that save water, save energy and reduce solid waste. At The Coho Oceanfront Lodge on the beautiful Oregon Coast, we are committed to do our part and make a small difference in making this a better, greener planet.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Maps and Driving Directions For The Coho Oceanfront Lodge

The Coho Oceanfront Lodge, one of the top Lincoln City Oregon Hotels, is located on the Central Oregon Coast along Highway 101, Lincoln City provides convenient access to a wealth of outdoor recreational activities and breathtaking scenery. Lincoln City is accessible from Portland and Salem via State Highway 18. This scenic route runs through the fertile Willamette Valley, the Oregon wine country, the coastal mountain range, and then follows the Salmon River to the Pacific Ocean. From the south, Highway 101 provides a multitude of picturesque vistas sure to make your journey to The Coho a memorable one.

The Coho is centrally located within Lincoln City at the intersection of NW 17th Street and NW Harbor Avenue, an ideal location with plenty to see and do nearby. Enjoy a short stroll down Pacific Coast Highway 101, where a number of quaint gift shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes are located. Plus, Chinook Winds Casino Golf Resort, Tanger Outlet Mall and other amenities are only a short distance away.

  • From the North Coast, upon entering Lincoln City, we are located approximately three miles south; turn right (West) on NW 17th Street and proceed to Harbor Avenue. Arrive at 1635 NW Harbor Avenue at The Coho.

  • From the South Coast, we are located five miles into Lincoln City; turn Left at NW 17th Street (West) and proceed to Harbor Avenue. Arrive at 1635 NW Harbor Avenue at The Coho.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Restaurants near The Coho Oceanfront Lodge

The Coho Oceanfront Lodge has partnered with three of the best fine dining establishments in Lincoln City to make your stay even more convenient and fulfilling. Upon check-in, you will be presented with “The Coho Card,” which you can use to dine at the following top restaurants and have the food and beverage charges posted directly to your guest folio at The Coho.

The Blackfish Cafe
The Blackfish Café

The Blackfish Cafe features a selection of Northwest beach favorites, including the freshest seafood, locally harvested produce and seasonal vegetables, and a variety of meats. Preparations are simple yet elegant, highlighting the natural flavors of the Pacific Northwest. www.blackfishcafe.com

The Bay House
The Bayhouse Restaurant

The Bay House Restaurant is a very special place. Since 1978, the Bay House has provided a unique and wonderful setting for a fabulous upscale dining experience in Lincoln City. Located on the picturesque Siletz Bay the view is unparalleled.
www.thebayhouse.org



View our current Packages and Promotions and enhance your next stay.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

The Legend of Coho Salmon from Squamish Indian Tribe

According to The Confederate Tribes of Siletz Indians, the salmon were actually people with superhuman abilities and eternal lives. The Salmon people lived in great houses under the ocean but since they knew that humans on land needed food, they offered themselves to the land-based tribes as food by turning into salmon fish. Their spirits were returned back to the ocean where they were reborn. One tribe on land was short of food because the salmon never came to their waters. But they heard about the Salmon people. So the chief sent out an expedition to find these Salmon people in order to ask them to come to their waters. After many days of travel, the expedition arrived in a new land where the Salmon people were. The chief of the Salmon people ordered four of their villagers to go into the sea where they became salmon as soon as the water reached their faces. He ordered others to retrieve these new salmon fish, which were then cooked as a welcoming feast for the guests in the expedition.

The chief told the guests to eat as much as they wanted, but the bones of the salmon fish, even the smallest ones, were not to be thrown out. All of the salmon bones were collected by the villagers after the guests were careful enough to lay them into little piles. The Salmon people then threw these bones back into the water. Minutes later, the four individuals who originally turned into salmon fish reappeared and joined the others.

Over the next few days, the guests watched the Salmon people repeat this process with the salmon bones over and over again. However, during a subsequent feast, one of the guests from the expedition secretly held back some of the salmon bones. This time, when one of the Salmon people came back from out of the water, he was covering his face and said that some of the bones must be missing since his cheeks were gone. Another said that she was missing her chin. Alarmed by what had happened, the guest brought out the missing salmon bones he had previously held back. The two Salmon people with missing body parts then went back into the sea with these bones. Upon their return back to land, both people had their complete bodies again.

The expedition asked the chief to let some of his Salmon people visit their waters and streams to help supply much-needed food. The chief agreed to do so as long as the tribe agreed to throw back all the salmon bones into the water so that the Salmon people could return home intact.  He said, “I will send Spring Salmon to you first in the season.  After them, I will send the Sockeye, then the Coho, then the Dog-Salmon, and last of all, the Humpback.”

So the tribe always honored the return of the salmon to their streams every year and respected the rules set by the Salmon-people chief. This ensured an adequate food supply for the tribe every year.

The Native American story of Salmon teaches us if we crave the fruits of the earth, we must respect Mother Nature.  At The Coho Oceanfront Lodge, we are committed to do our part and make a small difference in making this a better, greener planet.  In partnership with the Green Hotels Association, The Coho Oceanfront Lodge has taken active steps in being a “Green” hotel.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Dining at the Andaman Thai


By George Foust

The Coho Oceanfront Lodge (http://www.thecoholodge.com)

      Folks who enjoy genuine Thai food are in for a real treat at the Andaman Thai restaurant in Lincoln City, Oregon.  The couple who own it are personable and friendly and the wife is from Thailand so the food is absolutely authentic.

      If you choose to indulge at the Andaman, please be patient.  Food is not pre-prepared.  There is about a 30 minute wait between the time you order and the food’s arrival at your table.  It is worth every second.

      My Lady and I very rarely go out to eat because we love getting into the kitchen together and dinking around.  She grows her own herbs and we delight in experimentation so going out to eat is not the same for us as it is for other people.  Because we go out so rarely, we tend to be in a rut when it comes to ordering.  My Lady usually orders either the Pad Kee Mao with Shrimp or the Garlic Prawns.  I am very much in a rut; I enjoy the Panang Seafood and Salmon Curry so much that I don’t even bother with looking at the menu anymore.

      For those with trepidations, when your waitress asks you if you want mild or medium, go for the medium; the mild is truly mild.  I am a firm believer that “there is no such thing as spicy food – only weak people” so I always ask for “Wild & Crazy” and sometimes even get extra peppers and sauce on the side depending on my mood.

      Like most restaurants in Lincoln City, you will find the portions to be more than adequate but for folks with a real trencherman’s appetite, order the “Oh My God” appetizer to relish while waiting for your entrée.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

A Visual Guide To Oregon Coast Ghost Forests (Part 1)

What is it?
A Ghost Forest!

What's a Ghost Forest?
Here on the Oregon Coast, the Ghost Forests are areas where ancient trees have become uncovered during the annual shifting of the sands

What's so special about them?
They are a window into, and proof of a major geological event
oh... and they're just plain cool!

Are they Obvious?
Only if you know what you're looking at
I've seen a lot of folks walk right by these puppies, not realizing how incredible they truly are...

 

This Ghost Stump, was only visible for 3 days before being re-burried!

Wanna find your very own Ghost Forest? Make reservations today at The Coho Lodge, we're perfectly located to explore the Coast to the North & South

More images & info coming soon

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Pet Friendly Travel- Oregon Coast

Traveling with family pets is an increasingly common thing. Luckily, there is a perfect destination awaiting you and your four-legged friend on the Oregon Coast- the Coho Oceanfront Lodge!

The Coho offers eight different room categories, including studios, family suites, and fireplace suites all with breath taking panoramic ocean front views. Six of the eight varieties offered have a pet-friendly option on the ground floor for dogs less than 25 pounds. Call ahead to ensure you reserve the perfect room for your party- be it a family vacation or a romantic get-away.  Your pet will be treated like royalty from the moment of your arrival with a complimentary ‘goodie bag.’ You can also choose to spoil them with our popular Pet Package* which includes their use of a plush doggy bed, and a food and water bowl. To keep is their welcome amenity (goodie bag).

Located parallel to the coastline in Lincoln City, the Coho offers several pet-friendly rooms along with the expected deluxe amenities such as an indoor pool and rooms with flat-screen TVs. A microwave and fridge furnish every room. Select pet-friendly rooms feature a patio but all will have a full unobstructed ocean front view. The Coho Oceanfront Lodge also provides a deluxe continental breakfast each morning to keep you nourished and energized for your day-long adventures with your pet.

Near to the Coho are several great places to visit with your pet. There are several nearby hiking trails including Cascade Head and Drift Creek Falls. Devils Lake State Park is also just minutes away. Convenient also to our location is easy access to the beach, where a long serene stroll is waiting for you!  

Pet friendly room options at the Coho:

Family Suite, Accessible Queen Studio, Oceanfront Suite w/Kitchenette, Kids Suite, Fireplace Suite, King Deluxe Studio, Queen Oceanfront Studio

Pet Package - $20

*Includes Pet Fee and TLC provided by our staff.
Yours to use (upon request):

  • Plush Doggy Bed
  • Doggy food and water bowl

Yours to keep:

  • Welcome Amenity (to include doggie treat)
  • Doggy clean-up bags
  • Listing of local pet friendly parks, pet boutiques, and pet daycare services.