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Exploring The Oregon Coast

August 14, 2016 by Exploretraveler.com 1 Comment

Exploring The Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast with its magnificent dunes, spectacular cliffs and wild surf is all the reason you need to come. People don’t come to sunbathe, you can leave your swimsuit in the car. If you are fortunate you will see a little sun peaking through the clouds and trees of the old growth forests. This is a land where cliffs and magnificent rocks jet out into the wild surf. Here you put on your jacket and scale dunes as high as 500 feet. You will see people in sweaters walking the beach looking for treasures. This is a land of natural and unique beauty.

The magnificent sand dunes stretch for more than forty miles. These massive dunes run all the way from Florence in the North to North Bend in the south. This is the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in all of North America. Here you can take your dune buggies and sand bikes and explore to your heart’s content. The dunes seem like tall mountains of sand. What fun it is to scale your mountain and zoom down again. If you are looking for excitement and unique landscapes, you will find it at the Oregon Coast.

Let The Adventure Begin

Gather at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and let the fun begin. Adventure is waiting in a package of solitude as you embark on a journey through a land of blowing sand. Endless sand gives more than enough opportunity for those who love to ride and play in a world of sandy make-believe. Hours of exploration await on beautiful shifting sandy mountains. The wind seems endless and your play ground is uniquely different each day.

Those that prefer not to ride the dunes will find many other opportunities for excitement at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Here you will find areas open only to those on horseback and many fantastic trails. There are trails appropriate for all hiking abilities. The novice as well as the experienced hiker will find hours of hiking opportunities. What a perfect place to explore. The bicycle enthusiasts will find miles and miles of challenging bike trails. This unique playground has something for everyone. You will find tent and RV camping locations, as well as day use areas. There are cabins for rent in many locations.

One of the most outstanding viewpoints on the Oregon Dunes is just south of Florence. It is located at the Oregon Dunes Overlook Day Use Area on Highway 101. Enjoy wide panoramic views of these beautiful mega dunes. The sandy mountains seem to go on forever. There are several viewing platforms and more than a half-mile of paved walkways. If that weren’t enough, you can enjoy one of several picnic areas which overlook the landscape. All this, and a lovely view of the ocean in the distance, make this the perfect artist painting.

Those that prefer to follow the birds, will find many unique and beautiful birds. Life is exciting at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area! Brandt’s Cormorants can be seen nesting on top of the steep ocean cliffs of Florence, Oregon. Florence, though mostly known for its sand dune adventures, is home to many beautiful birds. The unique and tall cliffs provide the perfect nesting location for these beautiful Cormorants.

As you drive along the Southern Oregon Coast, these beautiful blue birds can be seen nesting in the rocks. They are residents of these beautiful wave-washed rocks and wild surf. Often they can be seen with the sea lions that also can be found in large numbers in the area. These beautiful birds are always quite the social butterfly and can be seen feeding in large groups. They love to roost on the rocks near the water’s edge. They feed in large flocks and can be seen socializing with other large sea birds. If you enjoy the bird watching, you will love the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

For more information on the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area contact:

Cape Perpetua Visitor Center
2400 Highway 101
Yachats, Oregon 97498
541-547-3289

Oregon Dunes NRA Visitor Center
855 Highway Avenue
Reedsport, Oregon 97467
541-271-6000

Central Coast Ranger District
1130 Forestry Lane
Waldport, Oregon 97394
541-563-8400

Steller Sea Lions

Steller Sea Lions can be found resting along the rocky shores of Sea Lion Caves in Florence Oregon. Along with the Brandt’s Cormorants, the Steller Sea Lions call the area around Florence, Oregon home. Nothing quite prepares you for America’s largest sea cave. It is wild and unique. Sea Lion Caves is a fun and wild place.

Sea Lion Caves is a unique system of connected sea caves about 11 miles North of Florence, Oregon. These connected sea caves are also open to the mighty Pacific Ocean. People can access the caves through the/ gift shop. Scenic Highway 101 at this point borders about 300 miles of a steep and undeveloped seascape, which is more than 300 feet above sea level,

Sea Lion Caves
91560 U.S. 101
Florence, OR 97439
(541) 547-3111
Sea Lion Caves is open 7 days a week from 9 am till 7 pm.

Happy Cows In Tillamook

Take a short drive inland and you will see meadows filled with happy cows. Tillamook Cows live in the lush green meadows surrounding Tillamook, Oregon. These beautiful milk cows thrive on the green grasses of the meadow. The cows are not given any chemicals or inoculations. They are not fed feed with additives. These are the dairy cows of Tillamook Cheese Factory. How amazing to watch these amazing happy cows.

The cows are milked morning and night and the fresh milk is taken to the factory and the cheese process begins. The farmers raise before dawn to do the morning milking and 12 hours latter they do the evening milking. All day long they tend to the farm, the farm that produces not only happy cows, but quality milk. A farmer’s work is never done. Only the best milk can be used at the Tillamook Cheese Factory.

A Work Of Perfection

Cheese making at the Tillamook Cheese Factory is a work of perfection. This is a work of art! There is no margin for error, there is only perfection. It begins with the best milk. When you have the highest quality of milk, there is no need for additives. In less than 24 hours after the milk arrives from the farm, the cheese is completed. It takes 100 pounds of quality milk to make a ten pound block of Tillamook Cheese.

One of the fun experiences at the factory is being able to watch the cheese being made. Self guided tours allow you the flexibility to watch and move from observation station to observation station at your own pace. Each station has an explanation of the process that you are watching unfold below. A day at the Tillamook Cheese Factory is a cheesy adventure!

Cheese making is an art in it’s own right. Each day 171,000 pounds of cheese is made. That is only the beginning. Each type of cheese must be aged for the correct amount of time. Cheeses age anywhere from 60 days for a mild cheese to over 3 years for a very sharp cheese.

Squeaky Cheese

Squeaky Cheese are bite-size Cheese Curds that squeak! You have to try these awesome cheese curds. Cheese Curds are the freshest possible, as they are made fresh each day. The only way they could get fresher is if you were to sneak into the cheese vat as they are made. You can buy these squeaky treats in the store or online. Today is a perfect day for a squeaky treat.

The Factory Store And Eateries

The factory store is filled with many different cheeses which you can sample first and then only buy what you really liked. It is a cheese tasting adventure! What a fun way to start the day! At the store you will find cheese of every kind, freshly made yogurt and ice creams, sour cream and other favorite fresh dairy specialities. What a fun place!

Did the tour start to give you a yearning for a snack? Come on over to the ice cream counter. The ice cream counter is a busy place, as people come from all over the world to taste this delicious ice cream. Waffle cones are made daily fresh over the grill. Have a cone, a dish , or an adventure…..you will find them all at the ice cream counter.

Don’t forget to make a stop at the fudge counter. Chocolate, caramel, and nuts galore. So many choices at the fudge counter. With as many as 30 different flavors, be sure to taste a few and make the decision easier. You will find seasonal favorites throughout each special season. Some of the favorites are Pumpkin, Pumpkin Pecan, Pumpkin Chocolate, Eggnog, and Candy Cane. Be sure and stock up on your favorite before it is gone and the next season is ushered in.

When you are ready for a good solid breakfast, lunch, or dinner, don’t forget the Creamery Cafe. Here you will find good food and often you will dine with the farmers. A breakfast favorite is the farmhouse Scramble. This is a super hearty omelet filled with Tillamook Cheddar, eggs, potatoes, peppers, and onions. What a way to start the day!

One of the lunch favorites is a Centennial Grilled Cheese Sandwich. It is made with the finest Tillamook cheese and served on sourdough bread. Lunch and dinner at the Creamery Cafe is an adventure in good food.

The Tillamook Cheese Factory
4175 Highway 101 North
Tillamook, OR 97141
503-815-1300
800-542-7290

The factory is open daily year a round.
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Labor Day through mid-June)
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Mid-June through Labor Day)
It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This is only a few of the adventures you will find on the Oregon Coast. Oregon is amazing and today is a great day to discover what is in your own back yard.

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Tasty West Coast Temptations

July 4, 2016 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Hungry And Happy In Mexico

Our first stop is Mexico, and we are looking for tasty temptations. We visit an authentic Mexican restaurant for a delightful South of the Border speciality. Authentic Mexican Beef Arrachera with Guacamole is the perfect dinner after a day of exploring. Arrachera beef is a savory Mexican specialty made from flank steak. The flank steak comes from the diaphragm of the cow. This meat is quite thick and can be a little bit tougher than other cuts, if not prepared correctly. It has a very strong flavor and is quite juicy. The secret of a delightful arrachera is in the marinade.

Beef Arrachera is never served alone on the plate. It will always be served with one or more garnishes. A favorite and maybe the most common is Guacamole. It is also served with grilled spring onions, roasted nopal, mixed salad, quesadillas, refried beans, Mexican rice, or fought chilies. Often onions and chilies are mixed in with the beef and the Guacamole is served on the side.

Throughout Mexico, Beef Arrachera is a favorite to throw on the grill when gathering together with family and friends. On your next trip to Mexico, be sure to sample an authentic and sumptuous Beef Arrachera. It is delicious! It will be one of the highlights of any trip, South of the Border.

Crab Cakes On The Beach

Traveling north, we find ourselves on the beaches of Southern California. Almost every fish shack has the most tempting Crab Cakes. Some even serve Kosher Crab Cakes made from from artificial Crab. These delicious Cakes are made from fresh fish and certified Kosher. If you eat nothing else from the fish shacks, you must try the crab cakes. Once you’ve tried the crab cakes you will want to keep coming back for more. San Diego Crab Cakes are pretty much the most famous in the world. San Diego is notorious for its crab. These terrific Crab Cakes more than live up to all of their publicity. They are an international favorite. They are fresh. These tasty temptations are delicious!

San Diego’s Sea Urchin

Sea Urchins are generally served fresh and raw on the shell. They are freshly caught and still moving! They taste almost like a buttery custard, Most importantly, they are extremely fresh. Visually, this beautiful Sea Urchin can look a bit overwhelming for a novice. It is worth the effort to try this San Diego delicacy. The flavor is unlike anything else you have ever tasted. It’s nutty, buttery, and salty, all at once. The divers go out each morning to find the very best Sea Urchin. People come from all over the world, to eat the Sea Urchin when in season.

Oysters On The Half Shell

Whether you are at a fish shack on the beach, at the Fish Market, or at a Farmers Market, Oysters are a favorite West Coast delicacy. From the Southern California beaches all the way to Canada, Oysters are a sea food treasure. They are often served raw and to the novice appear a little slimy, but they taste delicious. If you are looking for fresh Pacific sea food, oysters are at the head of the line.

By far the raw oysters that are served on the half shell are the greatest all stars. But oysters are served several different ways. Oyster chowder is another star of the menu, especially in the Northwest. It can be called Oyster Stew or Oyster Chowder, but it is delightful on a cold windy day.

Another way to enjoy this fresh Pacific treasure is fried. Fried Oysters served with fresh lemon are another favorite Pacific Northwest treat. Often this is paired with cole slaw and fresh baked french bread.(photos/poppas-fresh-fish-company-san-diego)

Time For BBQ

BBQ is an all time favorite on the West Coast USA. Any reason is good enough to dig out the grill. There is never a wrong time to grill hot dogs with different relishes. Some serve them on a stick and others in a bun, but everyone loves a good grilled hotdog. Major holidays, like the Fourth of July, are all time favorites for grilling some burgers and hotdogs. Usually they are served with chips, baked beans, and potato salad. Any day is a grilling day on the West Coast USA.

Grilled Shrimp In Monterey

On the Monterey Peninsula it is all about shrimp. You will find fried shrimp, grilled shrimp, and even coconut shrimp. They love their shrimp in Monterey!

The first Bubba Gump Restaurant opened in Monterey, California. It was the year 1996, just after the successful movie came out titled “Forest Gump.” The Bubba Gump restaurant is named after the film’s characters Bubba and Forrest. In the film, Bubba desired to get into the shrimping business. Forrest carried out his dream after Bubba’s death.

The Bubba Gump Restaurant is a fun place to have lunch or dinner. Taste and see how many different ways you can cook this tasty temptation!

The Monterey Peninsula

As you travel on North to Oregon and Washington, the weather has changed. Nine months a year can bring cool and rainy days and the nights are quite brisk. Here in the Northwest the need to warm up, makes chowder the star of the menu.

Chowder And Sour Dough Bread

The farther north you go, the more varieties of chowder that appear on the menu. By the time you get to Seattle, you will see them all. Some of the favorites are Clam Chowder, Salmon Chowder, Corn Chowder, and Potato Chowder. On a cold rainy Northwest day, nothing beats a good bowl of Chowder.

A favorite destination in Seattle is Pikes Place Market. Within the market are fish markets, farmers markets , and lots of chowder cafes. Whether you come to the market to get your own makings for your favorite chowder, or drop by for a bowl, you will love the chowder houses throughout the market.

If you are looking for adventure, you need look no farther than your own back door. The coastal communities of the Pacific welcome you to join them for a regional favorite. So grab the family and head for the closest beach. Your lunch is waiting!

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Columbia River Gorge In Washington USA

April 8, 2015 by Exploretraveler.com Leave a Comment

Columbia River Gorge near Wanapum, Washington, U.S.A.

Columbia River Gorge, is an awesome playground for the adventure. The mighty Columbia River divides the States of Oregon and Washington. The Western side of both sides of the Columbia River Gorge is a green and lush temperate rain-forest. As you travel East you begin to see a different type of beauty. Both sides are full of hiking opportunities, though we will be looking at a few of those that take off from Hwy. 14 in Washington. Both sides of the river are a hikers paradise. So lace up your hiking boots and let’s go!

Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park has over three miles of hiking trails for the beginning hiker. The park will delight you with its freshwater shoreline on the Wanapum Reservoir. The reservoir is located on the Columbia River. Petrified Ginkgo Wood was discovered back in the 1930’s and a National Historic Preserve was formed. It is known to be one of the most unique and unusual fossil forests in the world. This is a perfect beginners hike and camping facilities are available for those that desire. It is well suited to families with children. So put gas in the car and head up the Columbia River Gorge.

Beacon Rock State Park is home to Hamilton Mountain. Driving from Vancouver up the Columbia River Gorge, it is located at milepost 39.9. Enter into the state park and follow the signs to the trail head. There is plenty of parking at the trailhead. The trail up to the summit is well marked. If you want to do the loop, hike to the North from the summit for 0.9 miles and you will see an old road. Go to the left and follow the road down for about a mile. There you will encounter a marked trail. You can then travel on this trail for 1.1 miles and then you will rejoin the main trail to Rodney Falls. This is a little more than a 7 mile hike with an elevation gain of 2,000 feet. It is not for beginners nor children. Hamilton Mountain is a major mountain peak in the Central Columbia River Gorge. From the peak you have an awesome view of Bonneville Dam. Washington does not have as many waterfalls as the Oregon side, but you will pass 2. Pool of the Winds is a spectacular water fall and Rodney Falls is extremely nice also.

Dog Mountain is a wildflower haven in mid to late May. This is one of the nicest spring hikes around. From Vancouver, drive up the Columbia River Gorge to milepost 53.6. You will find parking on the north side of the highway. There is a 5.00 parking fee unless you have the Northwest Forest Pass. This is not a hike for out of shape hikers or beginners. It is a real tummy trimmer! There are two junctions on the way up, stay to the right for the first junction.When you come to the next junction stay to the left and you will follow the main trail to the 2,920-foot summit. This is an awesome view. You can see forever! There is a loop possible on the way down. Make a right turn 0.1 mile from the summit, then make a left turn after 1.1 miles and you will return by the way of the Auspurger Trail to the highway. This is a little more than 7 mile loop and you gain in elevation about 2, 800 feet. If you want to burn fat, this is the hike! This is not a beginners hike, nor for the out of shape hiker. It is definitely not for children.

These are three hikes that are a favorite in our family. There are so many hikes on both sides of the Columbia River Gorge. If you want to really know the Gorge, purchase a good hiking book. See links below for suggestions. Enjoy the day at the Columbia River Gorge!

http://www.amazon.com/Hiking-Columbia-River-Regional-Series/dp/0762729627

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/seasonal-hikes/spring-destinations/hiking-the-columbia-gorge

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