Bandon, Oregon Bullards Beach State Park & Heceta Head Lighthouse 6/4 - 6/8 2019

From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com 

Tim and Linda Bunyan

We've always been "slo-mo" travel types, which basically means we prefer shorter drives combined with longer stays, rather than speeding from place to place. It means we see less (overall), but we get to explore each place in a smidgen more depth than we would otherwise.

Bandon is on the south side of the mouth of the Coquille River with a population of 3,000.

We are at the Bandon State Park and attending all the Ranger Programs our schedule will include..
We met Rodney and Diane there.  They have just sold their house in Fair Oaks, CA and moved into their 'beach house' this week!  

We go to dinner and share interests and talk about retirement and living with options.  They are remodeling and decorating and then will unpack all their belongings to make this house their home.  They are so excited and we spend the next couple of days with Rodney and Diane.

Circles in the Sand are on the beach at Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint.  A local artist (Denny Dyke) designs labyrinth in the sand.  While they are displayed, all are welcome to walk around until the high tide washes them away.  The next day the artist has returned to design new labyrinths for the next set of site seers!
Circles in the Sand, a project helmed by artist and religious practitioner Denny Dyke has a full schedule for 2019, with 55 draws planned through the beginning of September.  
The daily art circles in the sand It takes place at Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint in Bandon.

Tim and I meander through the entire patterns. 

These are the rake-like tools used to etch Circles of Life patterns in the sand. 

 Circles in the Sand is designed across the beach about 3-4 football fields size.

We visit the Safari Game Park with our new friends Rodney and Diane.  We met them at the State Park Ranger Program.  They sold their house in Fair Oaks and are making their home in their Bandon, Oregon cabin.

It has been a delight to spend a couple days with new friends and share in their excitement of moving into their beach house in Bandon. 

Diane and Rodney

Local Bandon, Oregon Animal Park

Our new Bandon friends: Rodney

  and Diane, talented quilter.

We take in the view from the two-story dinner house offering seafood and steak at the Edgewaters Restaurant in time to attend the next Ranger Program at the State Park.   

The Ranger talks about the birds of Bandon.  Oregon is on the Migration Flyway so its shores are important stop-overs and breeding grounds.

The old town of Bandon displays the artwork of their school children along the marina boardwalk.

We start the day early as we check out because we want to stop at the Lighthouse on our way to our next stop which is through Coos Bay and to Newport where our friends from Sacramento, Larry and Karen own a condo.

FaceRock Icecream and Cheese Store; not to be missed!

 The Coquille River Lighthouse began February 1896.

 Walking out to the end of the Bandon South Jetty.

Bandon, Oregon has captured our attention.  It offers a friendly, proud community, assorted shops, not just a tourist town.  Art abounds, Farmer's Market for unique craftsmanship items, and a marina and museum filled with 'Sustainability' messages for participation in cleaner oceans by reducing use of plastics.

Little girl on the beach.  She told me she is from Idaho and has never experienced the ocean.  Her joy shined as she said "I want to live every moment I can while visiting"!

Departed Bullards Beach State Park; Bandon, Oregon.  Along Hwy 101 North, timber remains a business.

Siuslaw River Bridge is a baccule bride that spans the Siuslaw River on U.S. Route 101 in Florence, Oregon

This place is beautiful and holds special meaning to many.

Heceta Head Lighthouse - National Register of Historic Places

With a beam visible for 21 nautical miles (24 miles) it is the strongest light on the Oregon Coast.  The U.S. Lighthouse Service built the structure on 19 acres, completed in 1893.

Our friends, Jack and Bonnie, scattered Jack's dad's ashes along this area.  This is the Heceta Head State Scenic Viewpoint.

Next Destination: Inland to our Mazatlán friends: Rod and Audrey's house in Albany, Oregon located in the 150 miles long valley: Willamette Valley.  Bordered in the East by Cascade Range and the Oregon Coast Range on the West.

The Lighthouse family caretakers living quarters have been restored and is now open as a B&B!