 |
 |
The Beginning of the Oregon Coast's Wacky X-Files |
|---|
Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats & Florence.
07/08/08
Secrets of the Season |
The Beginning of the Oregon Coast's Wacky X-Files
(Oregon
Coast) – Let's be clear on one thing: I don't believe in ghosts.
And as for UFO's, I'm like that poster in Mulder's office in the "X-Files"
TV series, which reads, "I Want To Believe."
The weird stuff always fascinates me, and between that and my obsession with anything coastal, I've managed to combine the two in some odd ways. Some people collect hubcaps for a hobby. I collect Oregon coast paranormal tales.
 |
| Not only were strange things seen in Neskowin in 1987, but the place is known for oddities like the "ghost forest," seen here |
I'll never forget what sent me down that road. It was 1987 and I was seeing a girl named Christine. It was a Friday the 13th - March to be exact - and a full moon, although it was overcast. And if you do your math, that means that exactly a month before, in February, it was also a Friday the 13th and a full moon: eerie all its own. So that March night, Christine and I headed out to join friends in Neskowin at their beach house. We arrive after midnight, and serendipitously, there was a fire burning on the beach - as if made for us (we were celebrating the fact we'd been together exactly a month, since that previous Friday the 13th).
We're drinking champagne on the beach, enjoying the fire, when I begin to notice something odd over her shoulder, on the pitch-black horizon. There was some vague, undulating, red glow, apparently on the water; and it appeared as if it was far, far out there. It was too dark to tell for sure. Christine and I talked, and for some 10 minutes or so I watched it behind her: changing shape, fading in and out and never getting very bright.
 |
| Neskowin has many esoteric qualities and features, including a legend of being a "spiritual spot" |
Finally, I mentioned it to her, and she saw it too. So, apparently I wasn't going crazy. We watched and gawked at it, completely puzzled. Was it a reflection from the moon above the clouds? No. It wouldn't be red. Was it a reflection from a boat? Possibly. But over the years I looked closely at every boat at sea I spotted at night and never saw a similar effect at all. It actually, more than anything, looked like it came from beneath the water.
Since then, I was increasingly fascinated by weird coastal
tales or strange scientific facts. This experience haunted me, and I began
to collect such tales like some people collect hubcaps.
Years later, I would discover some really strange things about Neskowin
- stuff both scientific and paranormal.
 |
| A rare shot of bioluminescent phtyoplankton: the blue dots are the little critters. (photo Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium) |
In the early 90's, I heard about something called "glowing sand" in a secret cove at Road's End in Lincoln City. Some years after that, in 1993, I'm wandering the beaches of Newport at night with some friends, and spotted odd, bluish/green sparks beneath our feet. At first I thought it was all the booze I'd guzzled earlier, but my friends saw it too.
Years later, while researching such coastal oddities, I discover it's bioluminescent phytoplankton that glows. It's slightly rare in these parts, but it does happen.
 |
| Glowing phytoplankton can be especially spectacular in places like Nehalem Bay, where moving your hand through the glowing stuff makes it look like a skeleton hand |
Rewind again to the spring of '93: I find myself staring slackjawed at what looks like snow going the wrong direction, drifting upwards to the highway from the Devil's Churn, near Yachats.
I pull over immediately, flipping my wig, and take a few pictures of a tide so foamy that it resembles snow flurries flying at you and then going upwards. (And then who can forget that crazy, super warm December 26 later that year on the coast, with temps in the high 60's? Now that was practically paranormal all its own.)
In the late 90's, I discover the glowing phytoplankton and that freaky, snowy tide have a lot in common. In fact, they're pretty much the same thing. Sea foam, it turns out, is made of the dead skeletons of phytoplankton. That's right, there are so many of them they form all that foam you see.
 |
| Cape Perpetua on that strange, foamy day in 1993 |
In the meantime, other weird things or wonders crossed my path. There’s the green flash at sunset - which I’ve eventually seen numerous times over the years. This I wound up researching quite a bit. Then there's that freaky "singing sands" phenomenon, where sand in the National Dunes Recreation Area and near Cannon Beach can make a singing or violin-like noise.
And then there are all those ghost stories I've collected over the years. That process continues.
Oh, and some possible explanation for that weird, red blob in 1987 did finally pop up. I talked to a bioluminescence expert in Florida on the possibility it might've been what's known as "red tide": a form of phytoplankton that glows red. She said that was extremely unlikely, since that species couldn't survive in our cold waters. As she gave up on guessing what it was, her final words on the subject filled me with the same chill and wonder the X-Files TV series did in its heyday: "But there are a lot of things out there we don't know about."
Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones w/ data ports. Oceanfronts have queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and private deck. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. Elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite has two bedrooms, kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms pet friendly. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
 Inn
at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south
end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by
the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach
strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering
gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms.
Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly.
Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine
and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At
Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com. |
The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.theoceanlodge.com |
Arch
Cape Property Services.
Dozens of homes in that dreamy,
rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch
Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the
sea. |
 |
 |
 |
RELATED STORIES
Click here for video of Dec. storm aftermath
Oregon Coast Best of Awards for the Year And the winners are: best of Oregon coast restaurants, lodgings, science, odd events in nature and stunning moments for 2007
Watching Transformations of Oregon Coast Beaches Seasons change and so do beaches, revealing different sides and a variety of eye-popping sights
Staggeringly Cool Ideas for Oregon Coast Romance Be it the season of Valentine's or be it any time of the year, Oregon's coastline has essentially cornered the market for cuddle-inducing possibilities and gushy activities for the hand-holding set
Day or Night Mysteries and Merriment on Oregon Coast It's more than just nightlife that comes to life, but the beaches offer major opportunities
Oregon Coast Travel Site Goes Wireless Provides Lodging Reports - Oregon Coast Beach Connection now has mobile lodging and dining listings, along with weekly lodging availability reports
|
Oregon coast mileage chart & map Day trips, suggested itineraries Search for Oregon Coast Subjects, Articles Oregon Coast Complete Guides every beach access, attraction |
|||||||||||||
OR
TAKE THE VIRTUAL TOUR |
|||||||||||||
|
