While the need for a tsunami evacuation map is sobering – the hike called “Wi-Ne-Ma” will deliver a beach walk adventure that’s hard to beat. From Pacific City, drive toward the highway and take a right. About two miles south you’ll see the sign for Winema. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it.
Once on Winema, take the first left onto a gravel road – that soon becomes paved as it winds it’s way toward a small parking lot adjacent to the beach.
A real gem here on the Oregon coast is the Oregon Coast Trail. You will be enjoying that trail from this spot. As you walk toward the ocean be aware of timing and tides. You’ll turn right and walk about a mile past looming cliffs, well-sculpted driftwood and an endless show of salty energy delivered by “Mother Ocean.”
Always a good habit when taking a hike along the beach when every grassy dune looks the same, is to notice the landmarks that indicate where you started from.
Fall and Winter days often deliver amazing waves. Whether glistening in the sun or being defined by clouds and shadow, the scene is never the same twice.
Take your time meandering along this unique hike. No doubt you could be inspired to meditate, take way too many pictures and maybe even create your own style of “circles in the sand.
Once you reach the inlet you may see one – or dozens – of fishing boats in the Nestucca River hoping to catch the mighty salmon found in the area.
Over the past two decades Ed and I have loaded our surfboards, paddleboards and fishing gear for adventures in my favorite Oregon beach town – Pacific City. Some of our most memorable stays have been as Fall segues into Winter. Off-season the crowds diminish. Often the only footsteps in the sand will be yours. This week (mid-September) as summer once again kissed Pacific City with cloudless skies and warm temperatures, I stayed at the Inn at Cape Kiwanda. Over the decades I have enjoyed the Inn often – but this time the level of beach-elegant hospitality hit a new high.
Noble House Hotels & Resorts, the family-owned boutique hotel brand, is now part owner and operator of three properties in Pacific City: Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa, Inn at Cape Kiwanda, and Hart’s Camp, alongside founders and owners Jeff Schons and Mary Jones. No matter the season or the diversity of coastal weather, services and amenities abound at the Inn and sister properties. Your unforgettable adventures are their goal.
I am a laid back surfer used to sand between my toes and gnarly waves showing me who’s boss. But at the end of the day, loaded with sunscreen and shivering in spite of a 5/4 wetsuit, I want luxury. Yup, that’s me in the photo below.
I don’t mean to wax poetic about my bathroom at the Inn but some details must be shared. Thick, thirsty towels and shower tiles the color of the sea in late afternoon, the details of lighting and modern fixtures combine to enhance the entire experience: spa-like. Whether you have just walked the dune all sticky now with sunscreen or have pulled off your wetsuit shivering and salty- the shower is heaven. Once warm and dry it’s time to enjoy the ocean facing balcony – with ocean views from each of the 35 rooms.
Spending time in the room is as salty-good as being on the beach. In the area along the blue line in the photo I could watch a pod of whales feeding sitting on my balcony. All this while breathing in the heady scent of salty ocean air and burgers on the grill down at the Pelican Brewing – you can charge your meal to your room!
In the Gallery below you see Pelican Brewing a few steps from the Inn. While their seafood is fresh and plentiful, their burger called my name. My room was the third from the right on the third floor. Coffee in the morning was just steps away at the Stimulus coffee shop attached to the Inn. While I usually walk directly to Stimulus for my first cup of coffee, on this visit the in-room coffee (by Maud-mmmm) and the rose colored skies above the rare calm of the sea beckoned me to my private balcony where I drank in the richness of the brew, the scene and the sea.
From your balcony or after a short walk down toward Cape Kiwanda Dune the winter waves put on a show – often cascading over the point of the dune. Beach garb is not bikinis but layers – fleece, puffies and rain gear. All the better to savor the seasons.
When I was at the Inn last week the waves were lapping gently as high tide tiptoed across the sand. Winter storms bring quite a different beat- pounding shore break exploding in blues and greens frothed with white spray sparkling in the sunlight
At the end of a brisk Fall day or a clear, cold Winter afternoon, the tradition in Pacific City includes the ritual of watching the sun set. Pausing to experience every season, every phase of the day and night – it’s all part of connecting with the salty soul that brings us back again and again.
Noble House Hotels & Resorts are fostering a strong connection within the Pacific City community. When you visit the Inn at Cape Kiwanda this Fall or Winter you will feel exactly what that means.
One of the first places we visited upon arriving in beautiful Idlamorada in early November was a local shop called, literally, Paddle the Florida Keys. Tucked conveniently along Tavernier Creek this well-stocked shop is bustling daily with eager paddlers ready to kayak and SUP some of local routes bursting with natural beauty, flora and fauna.
Not only is the equipment top-notch, the guides have a vast knowledge of local lore, along with a keen eye for noticing a manatee cruising by or an egret fishing in the mangroves. From wide open bays to shaded mangrove “tunnels,” you will be happy you added a stop at Paddle the Florida Keys to your vacation itinerary.
But wait! There’s more. Besides the Mangroves and Manatees Guided Eco Tour, you can rent kayaks or paddleboards to take off on your own. The savvy and helpful staff will show you maps and explain the best way to enjoy all the sights.
Who wouldn’t love a mangrove trail?
Their flat rates mean that you can paddle as long as you want. And once you learn about a nearby island boasting a sparkling white sand sand bar – you just may stay out all day.
Not staying in Islamorada? No problem! Paddle the Florida Keys will deliver kayaks, paddleboards and bikes to any residence or resort from Key Largo to Islamorada or you can use your own vehicle to take a kayak, SUP board or bikes anywhere you’d like to adventure.
The weather report rarely gets it right. That’s fine as long as you have a quiver of options that cross conditions as easily as switching a paddle for a wing. This winter we have been staying at a condo with a weather-report worthy view right from the living room window. From checking the wind on the water, the pace of sailboats in the distance or the rippling roll of dolphin on mirror calm, we predict the day’s weather ourselves. Except for torrential rain or lightning, we always have fun options on the water.
It’s tough to beat a paddle when the glassy calm water is so enticing you could stay out all day. My favorite times include the early morning paddles watching the dolphin feed and play. Other times, crossing a wide bay and coming upon a lonely little island with a lone tree and a sandy beach is the treasure. Discovering a cove sparkling with crystal clear water just a stone’s throw from touristy civilization is serenity at its best.
Then there are those days when you head out for a paddle and the wind is kicking up side chop and gusts that blast forward progress to a slow crawl? Those are the days that eventually inspired me to research the Starboard FreeWing AIR. After consulting with the team at Big Winds in Hood River, I gifted myself a fine trio of wings and opened up a challenging learning situation – and a ton of fun! Now, whether I end up with a paddle in my hand or a wing leashed to my wrist I am ready for good times on the water.
I started out with some instincts about how to move across the water with wind power from various experiences under sail – from big boats to playful little Hobie cats to windsurfing fun. Moving under wing-power is not a direct translation from a sail, but wind awareness does help. When I took my first lesson in Hood River, OR, I wasn’t totally inept.
Over time I have learned to toss more than one wing in the car. It’s brutal to underestimate the wind and head out knowing you’re over powered and in for a killer adventure. If the wind settles more than expected it’s always nice to be able to size up a level and get the speed and ride that’s adrenaline-laced enough. I have a LOT of skill development to go, but that’s half the fun of picking up a new sport.
I am looking my 75th birthday in the eye in a couple of months – maybe this time the gift should be a couple more lessons!
Thursday morning dawned foggy, the first fog we’ve had this winter in Clearwater Beach. The weather report had mentioned brisk breezes but at 8 am the wind was dead calm. The mystical aura to the water was a powerful invitation to take an extra long adventure paddle. (Photo credit: Ed Shasek)
The day before, Ed and I had hiked along the beach from Clearwater Beach to Caladesi Island State Park. The isolated beaches, the mangrove forests and the many trees decorated with shells was a far cry from the bustling tourist center just a few miles south. We discovered a 50 yard “land bridge that connected the inland waterway to the Gulf of Mexico. My thought was to paddle inland from Sand Key Inlet then walk my board across the land bridge (4 miles north) and do the 4.6 mile return paddle in the Gulf.
The first 3 miles of the paddle I passed the congested hotel strip of Clearwater Beach but was buffered by the calm water and the absolute lack of any boat traffic. The next mile brought lush and grand waterside mansions with pelicans, anhinga and other seabirds observing me from the docks. Finally, all civilization gave way to mangrove islands and meandering creeks as I approached the land bridge.
On the way I shared the water with dozens of sting rays of all sizes – it must have been time for lots of new born rays as mother-offspring duos flapped gracefully alongside me. When I was about 200 yards from the land bridge to the Gulf the low tide water was just inches deep. I took the fin off my Starboard 12’6″ Zen Touring board and paddled in by hand. At times a few regal osprey winked down at me in between feasting on the plentiful bait fish.
Walking from the tannin brown waters of the inland water to the pristine beach and aqua water of the Gulf was a dramatic switch. With n o one in sight and the water mirror calm, I set my course southward and began scanning the horizon for playful dolphin. They did not disappoint!!
The absolute icing on the cake for this adventure happened when I turned in from the Gulf into Sand Key Inlet. Instead of the usual boat traffic, it was quiet. The tide was ripping IN!!!!! I barely needed to paddle as I zoomed that last mile homeward. What a terrific morning.
On the windier days I find myself trading out my paddle for a FreeWing AIR. No need to fight Mother Nature. And no need to fight with a traditional pump when you can go from deflated to perfectly inflated in a matter of minutes.
The technology evolution for kites, wings, and boards has rapidly improved to enhance your experience on the water. However, perhaps the most critical component required to get on the water -the pump- has remained unchanged since the days of flip phones. Not anymore. Gone are the times of struggling with manual pumping, thanks to the Air Box: Ride Engine’s rechargeable electric pump.
Here’s the nitty-gritty: Engineered alongside a top electric pump manufacturer, the Air Box has a powerful two-stage system that automatically switches from low-pressure, high-volume pumping to high-pressure, low-volume delivering the fastest inflation possible. Eliminate the worry of over or under inflating your gear when you set your desired air pressure on the Air Box.
No more guessing – The smart inflation technology has real-time pressure monitoring, ensuring an automatic shut-off once the pump reaches the selected pressure. Powered by a lithium-ion battery cell, it can inflate four to six kites or wings, and three SUPs on a single charge. What are you waiting for – see YOU on the water!
We are so fortunate to call the Clearwater Community Sailing Center (CCSC) our winter watersports home. It’s a fantastic place to meet new friends, sail the wide open bay for fun or for racing and to observe the commitment of staff and members to the next generation of sailors. Here’s a refreshing Polar Seltzer toast to all!
(Photo Credit: Eddie Shasek)
In spite of the unseasonably cool – and often rainy – weather today, twelve well-sailed races took place in a wide variety of wind conditions. Two things were constant: big smiles on every face and the most excellent hydration. Why the great hydration? The event was sponsored by Polar Seltzer.
Zale and Jake represented the Polar Seltzer booth with a bounty of enthusiasm. We were encouraged to sample our favorite flavors (cranberry lime and mandarin orange for me) and to explore newer flavors – you have to try orange-vanilla!! Check out the Polar Seltzer story and learn about “surprise” flavors here (hint: Mermaid Songs and Unicorn Kisses).
But Polar Seltzer provided CCSC with much more than tasty, wholesome beverages!
The Hobie Wave fleet is one of the most used and most versatile of the sailboats available there. The constant use definitely causes plenty of wear and tear on the sails. In support of CCSC and all they do (LEARN MORE HERE), Polar Seltzer has donated new sails for the entire Hobie Wave fleet. CCSC sailors are eagerly awaiting the arrival of that generous gift.
The majority of the sailors in the regatta today were adults, with many in their 60’s and above. What struck me was the hustle and bustle of a much younger group fully immersed in their Optimist Pram (IODA) lessons, skill building and technique development out on the water with no thought of the cold or the rain.
These two young sailors usually sail in their Optimist Prams but made the choice to sail in the Hobie Wave Regatta today.
They really caught my attention. From the skippers meeting at 9 am until the completion of after race reviews at 5 PM they were fully engaged. There they are right at the very front of the group hanging on to every word at the skippers meeting. And they were just as committed to the experience at the end of the day.
In my part of the world a palette of gorgeous fall leaves is blanketing sidewalks, river paths and backyards. We are enjoying the last days of summer-like weather before the welcomed rains of Fall quench the thirsty high desert and forests. Our paddling days will be cooler, and beautiful in their own way.
But as we tend to spend more time indoors this time of year, DIY projects sound inviting. Just in time too. October marked another phase of an opportunity to earn a digital social currency called Blue Tiki while doing what we love (paddling) and making a difference in our community (beach and waterway cleanup). If you haven’t yet participated, take a look here.
In the past seven months as I completed the regular challenge activities on Blue Tiki (thanks Starboard) I mostly cleaned up larger pieces of plastic and other litter. But a recent trip to the coast remined me on the tiny microplastic pieces that have inundated our beaches, waters and even our own bodies. I decided this was a good time to search out a some DIY directions for building a microplastic sifter.
After a 40 year hiatus from surfing it was the third fall I’d been SUP surfing, 2011. My husband Ed and I had only planned to sit on the beach at Pacific City (Oregon) with a coffee while we watched the brave “dawn patrollers” heading out. We strained our eyes to peer through the light fog. Almost like a mirage, about 1/2 mile offshore, a set of big fat and beautiful glassy waves wrapped around the point at Cape Kiwanda and solidly marched through the deeper water. Rather than crashing or closing out, they simply diminished before re-building on the more shallow reef closer in. We couldn’t miss conditions that rare. Ten minutes later, wetsuits donned, we paddled out.
Have you ever been schooled by a wave just a degree or two (or 3) above your skill level? One that held you down, knocked the tar out of you and was fodder for stories for weeks after? For some, that wave is calf high, for others a triple overhead at Pipeline. I found my personal limit that cold October morning doing dawn patrol with Ed, and our buddy Randall.
As much as I love the ocean and am thrilled by surfing – I am a bit of a chicken. My imagination tends to go a bit wild.
Holy cow – heart in throat time…I wondered what was lurking under the glassy beds of seaweed out by the haystack rock? Would I have the nerve to really go for a wave that seemed to swallow up Ed and Randall as they disappeared behind the overhead walls they took? Then, the third swell of a set loomed up. I was bit further in than the “safe” zone – having tentatively tried for the first wave of the set. My location made the wall and takeoff a bit more steep then I would have preferred – but something made me dig for it and GO!
My skills at the time were very limited and bottom turns – not so much. Yet something clicked on that wave, I dug my KIALOA paddle hard into the face and powered a nice right that lofted me up the face at a speed that I’d never felt before. The board vibrated under my feet with a shuddering sound that serenaded with whistling wind, and filled my ears. “Wooooohooooooo!” Yeah! There was nothing but an amazing rush. In a few seconds when time stood still that was a ride to remember. Then the shoulder flattened out in a deeper water channel close to shore and I cruised over the top and paddled back out. I caught two more waves before reaching the edge of my “courage envelope.” I went back to the beach way before anyone else – but the experience had been both brilliant and – enough.
My SUP surfing has consisted of knee to shoulder high waves for the most part. Once on Maui and once in Punta Mita, Mexico I was fortunate to catch some overhead waves. But none were ever as perfect, glassy and magical as the few I caught that day off the Oregon coast. anything like that since.
In spite of my relative inexperience, it is cool to have some understanding so when I see someone tackling a nice sized wave, I I have a small sense of what’s so incredible. Surfers everywhere and at every ability level share a common set of awe and love for the waves they’ve ridden and waves they’ve been thrashed by.
One aspect of our innate connection to the ocean is that we explore it. It’s our source and where we’ve evolved from — it’s spectacularly beautiful, and it’s really, really powerful. Whether we ride the big ones or live extreme moments vicariously, we share a common energy.
Respect your skill and respect your ocean – love your moments and your abilities on your waves. A very wise surfer, one whose spirit of aloha graces all he does, is Gerry Lopez. In his book, SURF IS WHERE YOU FIND IT, he shares five rules. The fifth and final Lopez rule, “The best surfer in the water is the guy having the most fun.” Like Gerry, we can all try to remember that one.
Okay, grab your paddle and your board – have some fun and dream of waves! Then share your stories with us – via e-mail or on Facebook.
Most often, a GREEN paddle means one that has me scouring the water and the beaches for plastic and litter. This paddle was not different. I found several plastic items, a bathing suit, some lids and a discarded beach towel. But for this paddle, the GREEN was not only my eco-efforts. It references the actual color – GREEN.
After several weeks of unhealthy air quality due to wildfires across the Pacific Northwest, this morning dawned clear, smoke free and about 30 degrees cooler than the average 90 of the past weeks. I arrived at my favorite put-in along the Deschutes River to find glassy calm, an almost “autumn-like” tinge to the air and no other paddlers. It was a day to cherish – and I did.
My usual paddles are all about the BLUE. Blue skies, blue water and my brilliant blue 12’6″ Starboard Zen construction paddle board. But with a hint of Fall in the air and the day being so exquisite, I could not help but appreciate the GREENS.
These greens will soon become the myriad of colors that beckon in Fall. A few months later, the browns and whites of winter will color my favorite river sections. So for today, I savored the green. I hope you enjoy it with me – and get out on the water every summer gorgeous day you can.
Elder SUP 