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Oregon Coast Cleanup Finds Weather Buoy, Whale and Cancellations |
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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.
03/29/08
Secrets of the Season |
Oregon Coast Cleanup Finds Weather Buoy, Whale and Cancellations
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| Oddity found in Manzanita last summer |
(Oregon Coast) – Neither wind, snow or hail could keep them all away – but it did keep a sizable amount of volunteers from heading out to the coast for the 24th Great Oregon Spring Beach Cleanup.
Normally, about 5,000 volunteers hit the beaches each spring, said SOLV coordinator Pamela Sery. This time, the count was down to about 3,700 brave and hearty volunteers for Saturday’s event. Lots of cancellations happened this morning because of icy conditions along Highway 6 and other coastal highways.
The entire Oregon coastline, 362 miles, was cleaned of debris that had accumulated during the stormy winter months. Volunteers removed an estimated 111,000 pounds of trash from Oregon's coastline Saturday.
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Bundled up in coats and rain gear, volunteers scoured the beach, cleaning an odd assortment of items, including a bathtub drain, freezer door, pesticide applicator, plastic children’s toys, buckets, water tanks, commercial fishing gear, crab pots, lifejackets, and a television.
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| Lincoln City |
The cleansing event yielded some spectacular, even crazy finds. Bouy 6 – one of the important gauges of tsunamis, tidal and wind conditions - washed ashore at Fort Stevens, and the U.S. Coast Guard is working to salvage it.
SOLV reported the group Whale Research Excursions found and a live Humpback whale tangled in fishing line; with great effort the whale released itself and swam to sea. Carrie Newell, owner of the business, said she knew nothing about the beached whale but was looking into it.
Along with the odd items, more typical pieces turned up in volunteers’ SOLV bags, including plastic food bags, rope and wooden pallets. Volunteers reported finding unusually large amounts of Styrofoam and thousands of plastic bottles.
The oddities are always the delightful part of the story, however.
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| Wreck of the Peter Iredale: the last missing buoy was found here Saturday |
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The giant buoy washed up right near the wreck of the Peter Iredale, said Oregon Parks and Recreation Head Ranger David Woody. “It had to have just washed in last night,” he said. “I was there the other day. It wasn’t there then. The Coast Guard contacted me if they needed any permits to salvage that thing. I said, ‘just do what you need to do.’ ”
This was the last of the big buoys that was still missing after getting lost during the December windstorm.
In the Pacific City zone that covers Neskowin to Tierra Del Mar, someone found a TV, as well as a crab pot from a commercial fisherman that came complete with serial numbers. Zone captain and park ranger Scott Duncan said that story had a happy ending: he was able to call the owner of the crab pots because of the ID numbers, and the fisherman came to pick them up.
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| Agate Beach |
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Duncan said there were a lot of wooden pallets, often used for fires by beachgoers. Plastic water bottles were also in great abundance.
In Manzanita, two large water tanks were the story, said Nehalem Bay Park Ranger Shelley Parker. “We had lots of large stuff,” she said. “We had about 20 large tires. I was able to fill up an entire 20-yard dumpster.”
At Agate Beach, parts of an industrial-sized washing machine showed up.
In Seaside, the wacky find was a cluster of burned out patio furniture. The SOLV contact there didn’t know if it was wooden or plastic furniture. There were the usual tons of cigarette butts as well.
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| Rockaway Beach |
Woody, who spent most of the day on the Bayocean Spit, said he could see the number of volunteers were down. “I think there were about eight people on that beach, total. I don’t even think anyone got to the end of the spit.”
In Rockaway Beach, zone captain Dolores Stover noted numbers were way down. “We had a lot of calls saying they were canceling because of the icy roads along Highway 6,” Stover said. “116 people showed up.”
Stover said she expected around 300 this time, because of a few large groups. They wound up canceling at the last minute because of travel conditions. Normally, her section – which covers Rockaway – has about 216 participants.
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“Still, we all had a great time,” she said. “It’s a lot of work to organize this, but it’s still a lot of fun. We had ice, hail, rain: a little bit of everything. But they are real troopers, are beach cleaners are.”
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| SOLV volunteers scour the beach |
Stover said her area found about five tires and some mysterious pieces of metal.
Parker said periodic snow hit volunteers in her area – Manzanita. But there was still a good turnout of 240 in the area.
Jack McGowan, SOLV's Executive Director, was pleased with the outcome on such a dreary day. "Despite the horrendous weather, volunteers proved once again that they care deeply for the natural beauty of the great state of Oregon. I am pleased to have been a part of this remarkable event for the last 18 years as Executive Director of SOLV."
On the central coast, weather wasn’t much of an issue. Guy DiTorrice was giving a lot of fossil tours on the northern beaches of Newport. He said there were a couple big squalls, but mostly nice conditions in the area.
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A1 Beach Rentals, Lincoln City. Perfect for large family vacations all the way down to a getaway lodging for two - with over 25 vacation rental homes to choose from. A breathtaking collection of craftsman or traditional beachfront homes, or oceanview houses – from one to seven bedrooms. In various areas of Lincoln City and overlooking the beach, with some in Depoe Bay. All kinds of amenities are available, like hot tubs, decks, BBQ, rock fireplaces, beamed ceilings and more. Some are new, some are historic charmers. Lincoln City, Oregon. 1-(503)-232-5984. www.a1beachrentals.com. |
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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 |
D Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the start. All rooms beachfront and up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach: the D River. Each room comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some w/ gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players; movies to rent come with free popcorn. Heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates orspecial occasion packages. www.dsandsmotel.com. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925. |
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. |
Inn At Spanish Head, Lincoln City. Lincoln City’s only resort hotel built right on the beach with all oceanfront rooms - nestled against a rugged cliffside overlooking a soft, sandy beach. Dine in penthouse restaurant and bar, for casual meal or candlelight dinner. An array of seafood specialties, juicy steaks and other Northwest favorites, including decadent Sunday buffet. Rooms range from bedrooms to studios to 1-bedroom suites with microwaves and refrigerators to full kitchens. Also, wi-fi, spa, saunas, exercise room and year-round heated swimming pool. Kids will love the game room and easy beach access. Full-service conference/meeting rooms for that inspirational retreat; extensive wedding possibilities. 4009 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City. 1-800-452-8127 or 541-996-2161. www.spanishhead.com |
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