Just about everyone we’ve stayed with on our travels has told us when we get to Oregon drive the 101 down the coast. Our family in Bend was especially helpful in pointing out places to stay and see. We connected with the 101 pretty far South into Oregon because of our stop at Crater Lake.
We also got super lucky and got to experience Circles in the Sand, which is a labyrinth made in the sand on one of the beaches. You’ll see… It was awesome!
Here are pictures from the first beach we stayed at:
Found a state park on the coast with free camping near Coos Bay.Laura likes it here.Oooh a cave on the bach.Sundried barnicles.
The back of the beach was a cliff with caves and cool pot hole features.
Back at our site. Making dinner.Sunset time!
Sunset over Tina. Goodnight!
The next day we drove south to Bandon, Oregon. Bandon is a kitschy tourist town with crab shacks and a cute main street. We even got to watch people fishing for crabs… crabbing. We spent the day wandering around town, trying crab cakes, and exploring the beaches while we waited for the labyrinth event.
Here are the pictures from Bandon, OR
Down on the docks, locals and tourists can try their luck at crabbing.Throwing out a crab pod.We learned the secret to crabbing is using raw chicken as bait.CRABS!Local sculpture made from garbage found on the beaches.We treated ourselves to west coast crab cakes.Nummy Nummy in our Tummy!
Laura approves.New beach to explore.
Sea Stacks.
Driftwood.
Camrin being cute!
A wall of barnacles and mussels.Bottom side.Top side.Putting it back where we found it.What are you?
Laura found one that could be picked up.
Driving over to the next beach. This is our dashboard collection. We just added dried barnacles. We don’t like to buy things so we collect pretty rocks and sticks. As long as we’re on public lands that allow it.
Circle in the Sand Time!!
This is a once in a while event that gets put on depending on the tides. The labyrinth will last until the tide comes in and washes it away. One man, the artist Denny Dyke, will show up a few hours ahead of lowest tide and start making lines and circles in the sand with a small rake. Somehow he has the vision of what the final labyrinth will look like. It will have an entry point and exit point. Once the route is drawn out a team of volunteers will help rake out the final image. It took about 2ish hours to complete. Then there was a big crowd that showed up. We all lined up and walked the path with the sun setting behind. It was a beautiful piece of art and an even more beautiful experience.
Denny laying out the path.People already gathering to watch.
Oooh Horses!Down on the beach.Volunteers help rake.
Lots of onlookers.
CoolLots of people now.The patterns look so cool with the sunlight behind.
Gosh! Its so darn pretty here.Alright time to start! Denny gives the crowd a friendly welcome speech. Reminding us to take time to reflect and to have fun.Picking a lucky person to start the walk.And we’re walking.Some of the turns had rocks with writing on them. This one broke our hearts. This walk was about a week after the Vegas shooting.
Back on top of the cliff looking down. Now you can see what the final image looks like,Time for another gorgeous sunset.
What a wonderful experience. Time to head back to our campsite.
The next morning. Getting ready to pack up and head South.Driving South along Hwy 101. This looks like a nice lunch spot.Stretching our legs.
Is that a whale?!!! We’re pretty sure that’s a whale. This was the best shot we could get since we were way high up on a cliff. While driving, Camrin noticed some odd “spray” out in the water so we pulled over. Some sort of creature kept surfacing and blowing air. That can only mean a whale, right. It never breached more than its back so we can’t be fully sure.
Can you see the blowhole.Some rest stop along the Hwy,
