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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, Wadport, Yachats & Florence.

12/15/06

Secrets of the Season

Residents and Officials: Oregon Coast Storm as Bad as 1995

Storm waves near Depoe Bay

(Oregon Coast) - Many experts are saying this was worse than the 1995 storm.

With gusts around and above 100 miles an hour throughout the night, massive power outages, road closures and flooding, everyone from coastal residents to Portland weather forecasters are saying this storm was worse than the monster that racked the Oregon coast and valley in December of 1995.

Surges hitting Gleneden Beach on Wednesday

Gusts were often more than 100 mph up and down the coast, downing trees that in turn toppled power lines and blocked Highway 101 in various spots from Seal Rock to Astoria – some 150 miles of havoc.

Lincoln City Vacation Homes There’s something for everyone among this selection of wondrous homes: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All the homes are either oceanfront or just a few steps away from the sand – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies, depending on the home: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets are allowed in some homes – ask ahead. Each comes with complete kitchens so you’ll have a home away from home. Most have the seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com. 541-994-8778.

As of Friday night, power is still out in the top 120 miles of the entire Oregon coast: from Lincoln City to Astoria, a stretch that includes Tillamook, Rockaway, Manzanita, Cannon Beach and Seaside. The bad news is that it's likely power may not be fully restored until Sunday, maybe even Monday.

Highway 6 and Highway 26 are back open after being closed because of downed trees. 45 miles of Highway 6 were shut down until around 4:30 Friday afternoon.

About 100 tourists and coastal residents were trapped in the coast range on Highway 26, and around 75 of them spent the night at restaurant Camp 18. That highway also saw large amounts of snow as low as 1000 feet, creating blizzard-like conditions when combined with the high winds hitting the coast range.

Spouting Horn in Depoe Bay goes nuts during storms

Many parts of the coast are still in the dark, with the 35 miles from Manzanita to Warrenton out of power. Parts of Astoria are out as well. While most of Newport has power, there are reports the outages may be from Lincoln City all the way to Warrenton.

Barbara Shaw, of Shaw’s Oceanfront Bed & Breakfast in Arch Cape – just south of Cannon Beach - said she’d heard power may not be restored in that area until Monday.

Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach

If expansive ocean views, close proximity to golfing, fishing tours and quick access to seven miles of pristine beaches is your thing, then this quintessential beauty in Rockaway Beach is your ticket to vacation fun for families, couples or large groups. Some rooms are pet friendly. All rooms at the Tradewinds Motel are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones with data ports. The oceanfronts all have a queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and a private deck. Some oceanfront units come with all those amenities but the kitchens. Both types sleep up to four people. The non-oceanfront rooms are appointed with a queen bed, small fridge, and coffee maker – sizable for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. There is an elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite that has two bedrooms, coming with a kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For those wanting bigger accommodations for family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com

“It was worse than the storm of 1995,” Shaw said. “It was the worst we’d ever seen here. They said there would be gusts around 100, but I think there was much more than that.”

Shaw said she and her family went to replace the top of a neighbor’s hot tub and discovered a flying branch and gone through the window.

Shaw’s son Bob Shaw said a gargantuan, two hundred-year-old tree in Seaside had toppled on the south end.

The power outage contributed to at least two deaths on the coast. A house fire in Seaside killed two people in the home. The cause is apparently burning candles in the middle of the darkness.

Just north of Florence

Ocean swells reached 40 feet throughout the night, which officials believe contributed to the destruction of a catamaran yacht that beached in Lincoln City. Three crewmembers are missing still from that craft.

Newport missed a lot of the brunt of the storm, at least in terms of damage. Resident Guy DiTorrice was the head of the Oregon Coast Visitors Association in 1995 during that last great storm, and his yard was the landing pad for the roof of the Izzy’s Pizza restaurant when that flew off during the melee back then.

DiTorrice disputes the idea this storm was as bad as the ’95 one.

oregon coast lighthouses on dvd“It may have seemed that way, but in terms of damage – no,” DiTorrice said.

DiTorrice said damage was minor compared to the wild ride of ’95.

DiTorrice also serves on the volunteer fire and rescue team for Newport, and said at least one motorist was trapped by a downed powerline or tree. But rescuers arrived quickly and the man was not trapped very long.

Also in Newport, Village Market & Deli owner Deb Trusty said her home atop a hill above Agate Beach was rocked all night, and her and her husband lost some shingles and more parts of a weakened tree. “The power went out, then back on, then out again,” Trusty said. “We made a fire, had some candles, and just relaxed.”

Nye Beach, Newport

But the biggest adventure was had by a wine rep from Portland who does regular business with the Trusty’s.

“We told him that if he needed to, he could find a bed waiting for him here,” Trusty said. “And that’s exactly what he did. When the highways of 18 and 22 were closed, he tried taking Highway 20. But he actually saw a tree fall on top of the car in front of him, and he turned right around and he spent the night here.”

Lorna Davis, Director of Tourism Development for the Newport Chamber of Commerce, could not be reached by BeachConnection.net Friday afternoon because she was stranded in Lincoln City with no gas. With power out there, gas stations could not pump gas, and another employee of the chamber was on her way to get Davis some gas.

Weiss' Paradise Suites & Vacation Rentals - Seaside

Unique Luxury Accommodations in Seaside. 1BR Suites, 1BR & 2BR Duplex Units and 3BR Houses, units for 2-8 people. Rent our entire property for 20-26. All units close to beach, river and Broadway St.
Suites are designed for two adults; vacation rental units for families. All units have kitchen and many have fireplace, deck and jetted tub. Enjoy comfy robes & slippers, luxury bath amenities, quality linens and more. See us on The Travel Channel's "Great Escapes" show in August 2006. 741 S. Downing St., Seaside. 800-738-6691. www.SeasideSuites.com

With everything north of Lincoln City in the dark, that makes neighboring Depoe Bay the last bastion of civilization.

Trollers Lodge owner Peg Leoni said she was getting about five “refugees” from the power outages at her motel – people who were not tourists. “So far today, five from Lincoln City have checked in,” she said. “We've had a lot of phone calls asking if we had heat and what are our prices.”

Rockaway

While Depoe Bay was also got hit hard, it had its amusing moments.

The Christmas tree on the Whale Watch building had all its needles blown off and will probably be taken down, said Leoni.

“The red bell buoy that is normally anchored a half mile out is now close to the rocks opposite the 101/Bay Street traffic light,” said Leoni. “Our neighbors, the Overmeyer's, thought it was unusually loud yesterday morning. Well, it was right below their oceanfront home.

“Later yesterday morning it migrated north, past the entrance to the harbor.”

D Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Getting a free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the beginning. Every room is beachfront, and it's all right up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach, next to the D River. Each room, comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some have gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players with movies available for renting (and movie rentals come with free popcorn). There's a heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep anywhere from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates are available, and they offer special occasion packages as well. To make a reservation and see a virtual tour of the rooms, visit our website at www.dsandsmotel.com. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925.

 

DIVE INTO LUXURY, HISTORY AT THE TIDES

THE TIDES BY THE SEA, Seaside. For over 80 years, The Tides has been a favorite of Seaside visitors. History meets modern luxury here. 51 oceanfront condos, individually owned and decorated. Find suites for couples, small apartments with fireplaces and kitchenettes, one or two bedroom family units with fireplaces, kitchens and dining rooms. There are wonderful oceanview cottages that sleep anywhere from two to eight people, with two bedrooms, some with lofts, fireplaces and kitchens.
Meanwhile, the heated outdoor pool, enormous grounds with picnic tables and location at the quiet southern end of Seaside make for some memorable means of play and repose. 2316 Beach Drive. 800-548-2846. www.thetidesbythesea.com.

 

BREATHTAKING CLIFFTOP IN NEWPORT

STARFISH POINT is located on the Central Oregon Coast - in Newport - and offers only the finest in luxury condominium lodging. At Starfish Point, every unit is focused on the beauty of the sea and the beach.
All of the units boast two bedrooms, two bathrooms, designer kitchens, wireless broadband Internet, fireplaces, Jacuzzi’s and private decks - surrounding you in soothing relaxation. We have a friendly staff dedicated to high quality and superb customer service. 140 NW 48th Street, Newport. (541) 265-3751. (800) 870-7795. www.starfishpoint.com

 

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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

Sampling Wines and Wine Bars on the Oregon Coast Wine shops and wine bars are a growing part of coastal tourism

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ASTORIA
Where the Columbia meets the Pacific, Land of Lewis & Clark and loads of atmosphere & history


SEASIDE
The Promenade, Tillamook Head, family fun & broad, sandy beaches

CANNON BEACH
A mysterious lighthouse, upscale yet earthy, a huge monolith, fine eateries & an art mecca


NEHALEM BAY
Manzanita's beaches, Nehalem and Wheeler's quirky beauty; laid back Rockaway


TILLAMOOK BAY
Garibaldi, Barview, Bay City, Tillamook & an oceanfront ghost town


THREE CAPES LOOP
The hidden secret of the coast: Cape Meares, a lighthouse, Oceanside, Netarts and Pacific City


LINCOLN CITY & THE CORRIDOR OF MYSTERY
Miles & miles of unbroken beaches, Cascade Head, Neskowin and many manmade attractions
DEPOE BAY
A spouting horn downtown, freaky hidden cliffs and whales, whales, whales
NEWPORT
Time-tripping Nye Beach, a bustling bayfront, marine science-central and two lighthouses

WALDPORT / SEAL ROCK
Pristine, even secretive sands and wild geologic landmarks

YACHATS
Constantly dramatic wave action, a mix of the rugged & upscale

UPPER LANE COUNTY
25 miles of deserted beaches & oodles of wonders

FLORENCE
A lighthouse, ancient bayfront and miles and miles of fluffy dunes

 

For weekly Oregon travel picks and lodging secrets, see the Travel News section

 

Inn At Spanish Head, Lincoln City. It's 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. Enjoy dining in the penthouse restaurant and bar - whether you’re in the mood for a casual meal or a candlelight dinner. They offer an array of seafood specialties, juicy steaks and other Northwest favorites, including a decadent Sunday buffet. Rooms range from bedrooms to studios to one-bedroom suites with microwaves and refrigerators to full kitchens. Hotel amenities include wi-fi, spa, saunas, exercise room and a year-round heated swimming pool. Kids will love the game room and easy beach access. Full-service conference and meeting rooms for that inspirational retreat; extensive, gorgeous wedding possibilities. Near the south end of Lincoln City at 4009 SW Highway 101. 1-800-452-8127 or 541-996-2161. www.spanishhead.com