Wednesday Market

If you happen to be at the shanty on a Wednesday between mid-May and mid-October, don't miss the outdoor food and crafts market on Highway 34, just east of the only stop light in town. Lots of local produce, plants, and the usual funky assortment of crafts you'd expect in a small beach town, including tie-dyed clothing, homemade birdhouses and shell art. It's a classic Waldport scene.

Another interesting discovery I made on my last visit is the Green Bike Co-Op, where you can borrow a bike (for any purpose), use the shop's tools and stand to do your own maintenance and repairs, or learn bike repair skills in free classes. You can also trade in your bike for a better one or just one that works. All donations to Green Bike go to the Seashore Family Literacy program. The shop is located on Highway 101 across from the C&K Market.

The shanty in pictures

People occasionally ask us to describe the shanty, so we'll go one better and post photos instead. These should give everyone a better idea of how the rooms are laid out and the wonderful outdoor spaces that are part of the package.



Master bedroom includes this
 California king-sized bed.




 

Second bedroom has bunkbeds for kids and double
bed. Door leads to one of two full bathrooms,



Both bathrooms have
 tub/shower enclosures.




Fully equipped kitchen opens
into front living space.



Front door entrance.

Living room includes wood-burning stove.



Main deck is enclosed in glass to
 protect against the wind.



Front deck.

Rock Candy Beach

During our latest stay at the shanty, we explored a secluded beach along an especially remote stretch of the coast south of Cape Perpetua. It’s mostly cobblestone, but is loaded with small agates (Ellen calls them “rock candy”) and driftwood, which our Bayshore beach mostly lacks. We also saw harbor seals bobbing in the surf, along with marbled murrelets (an endangered species that only nests in old-growth coastal forest) and a pair of bald eagles. We were there on a Monday and were the only humans in sight.

New additions to the agate
collection we keep at the shanty

I’m not sure if the beach has a name, but you’ll find it immediately south of the pullout at Strawberry Hill, which is about three miles south of the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center along Highway 101. You’ll notice a major trail with steps that heads down to the beach to the north, so you have to veer left and follow a dirt track around a small hill. After 11 years of exploring the central Oregon coast, we’re still discovering hidden gems like this sweet little beach.

Don't forget your wetsuit

We're not surfers--never have been, never will be. But I have it on good authority that some people are crazy enough to surf the Oregon coast. I have a nephew who teaches surfing up in Cannon Beach (he's a college grad, but this gets him by), and had a student in my journalism class last term who has created a web site called NW Surf and Snow that makes surfing the frigid waters of Oregon almost look appealing. Check out the videos--they're especially well done. The closest location to the shanty with respectable surfing is Agate Beach, just south of Yaquina Head (about 15 miles north on Highway 101). Don't forget your wetsuit.

Great place for hiking

We’ve been kayaking on Beaver Creek for years, so we were delighted to discover this week that the state has acquired more than 300 acres of coastal marsh and uplands just north of Seal Rock for its newest state park. There is a visitor center just off Beaver Creek Road, and a network of trails on nearby Snaggy Point that offers a sweeping view of the ocean and frequent sightings of deer, elk, eagles and other wildlife. There’s definitely more to the Oregon Coast than just the beach! To get to Beaver Creek State Natural Area, take 101 north to Ona Creek State Park (6 miles) and turn right on Beaver Creek Road. Be sure to take your binoculars.

If you carry an iPhone, there even an app for the new park you can download. That's pretty cool.

Exploring Alsea Bay by kayak

When the wind finally dies down, Alsea Bay is a haven for kayakers. This shot was taken this week on a rare calm summer day, just as the fog was starting to roll in. I usually put in just a half-mile from the shanty, next to the motel, or there's a sandy beach near the port, just across the bay in old town. Depending on the tide, the wind and the current, you can paddle upstream for miles, or just make a circuit out near the surf and back around the footings of the bridge. The animal life in and around the bay is amazing: harbor seals, cormorants, herons, eagles and occasionally deer.

There is also excellent flat-water kayaking on Lint Slough (immediately upstream from the docks), Beaver Creek (north of Seal Rock), and Drift Creek (tributary of the Alsea) up to tidewater. I keep a kayak at the shanty, but you can also rent them during the summer at McKinley Marina. Kayaking is a wonderful way to experience the raw, scenic beauty of the Oregon coast.

Good eats in Waldport

Waldport is sadly lacking in good places to eat, but we're happy to report that the Sea Dog Bakery and Cafe is the best hash house in town. We highly recommend it--especially the breads and pastries. Stick with the breakfast menu, as lunches are nothing special. You'll find it downtown on Highway 101 just south of the traffic light.

We've tried the Mexican restaurant, La Roca, at the south end of downtown, and it's acceptable. We recommend against the Chinese restaurant, and Grand Central is a good idea only if you enjoy being around screaming kids and crave deeply fried food. I like to have a burger and fries once in a while at Big Wheel mostly because of its old-school, diner-style service. For dinner, it's worth the drive to Yachats or Newport, both of which have many good restaurants.