Lincoln City, Oregon

We arrived in Lincoln City anxious to set up camp beside the ocean.  Alas, when we finally arrived at our destination, no ocean!  Instead, the campground was located beside the river that wound through a valley and eventually emptied into the ocean.  Not surprising, all the camps focused on fishing.  In just a few days, the Salmon season would open here and folks were arriving every day anxious to get to it.  Well, while this was not what we anticipated, no matter there were many interesting things to see in this unique town.

We made our way to the Visitors Center to get some information about what to see and do.  As has often been the case, we met several very unique characters.  All the workers in the center were Senior Citizen Volunteers.  One lady sought us out in the entry and invited us to come inside to her station and she would give us plenty to do and see.  She was a character for sure and a wealth of information to boot!  She told us about how Lincoln City came into being.  According to her version of the tale, it had been five smaller villages strung along the coast.  In order to get funds from the federal government to help install an updated water sewerage system, they had to come together and incorporate as one town.  The local school children named this new town, Lincoln City.

Shortly thereafter, they learned of the availability of a 14-foot high fitting piece of sculpture named “Lincoln on the Prairie” by Anna Hyatt Huntington, considered one of the country’s foremost equestrian sculptors.  The piece was given to the City with a few “strings attached”.  The piece depicts Lincoln riding seeding to improve his education even as he road; an inspiration not only to seek knowledge but also the spirit of Lincoln.  It could not be placed in a “touristy” place and if the city changed its name, the statue would be removed.  The statue itself was free.  All Lincoln City had to do was pay for the transportation of the statue from Long Island, NY to Lincoln City.  Turned out this was quite an undertaking an ended up costing $60,000, much more the the needed funds the city wanted from the government.  The final location of the statue is on a quiet street a bit off the beaten path.  Huntington would be pleased.

In addition to the story of the town’s name and the statue, the lady gave us quite a bit of information about places where we could “walk about”.  Lincoln City has a number of walking areas dubbed “Open Spaces”.  Each of the areas has a focus on the land and wildlife and birds.  Even though the weather was gray and overcast, we took advantage and walked the paths of two different ones.  The first was a heavily wooded area near the beach that was laid out very similar to a maze.  We had the girls with us and thought it would be a nice outing for us all so off we went into the gloom.  The pathway was overhung with old growth trees, some living and some not.  All were draped with green moss and and other plants.  Savannah took the lead and Charlotte followed along at a slower pace.  While Charlotte is alpha, she is not brave in the woods while Savannah loves it.

It took about 20 minutes to get to the en of the trail and we turned and headed back.  The return trail was not the same we took out but it seemed simple enough.  Finally, we reached an exit point only to find we were no where near where the truck was parked.  We re-entered and retraced our steps and took another route.  At the next exit, we still were not where the truck was parked.  After four tries, we finally exited at the truck.  I have to say, I was relieved.  I had started to think we would wander about until the mosquitoes finished us for dinner.

Toward the end of the afternoon, the sun broke through the clouds and we sought out one of the beaches.  A mist hung in the air over the sand and water giving a ghostly look to things.

Rocky cliffs rose from the water reminding me of an old movie about Dracula and his castle high above the water.  The waves crashed on the rock and rush to the sand where Sand Pipers rushed about looking for tiny tidbits of food.

The waves were magnificent.  They rolled and crashed over and over.  I love the sound of the waves and salt smell overall.

On the cliffs above the beach, clusters of home clung to the edge.  The views from these houses must have be breathtaking.  While the houses were not much to look at, I am sure they cost a pretty penny!  But worth every cent!  We walked letting the girls run and frolic at will.  Charlotte loves to chase the birds.  We laughed as she tried and tried to catch one.  We left relaxed and so glad we got to experience this place.