Road Scholar and Backroads of Oregon II - Day 6

Thursday, August 9, 2012 - After a buffet breakfast at the Red Lion, we traveled southwest to Bandon Beach State Park.  We walked on the beach separately and a few of us visited the historic Coquille River Lighthouse.  The Fresnel lens had been removed so the lantern room was empty.  Great view.   Benchmark: OA1449.

Originally named Bandon Light, Coquille River Light was commissioned in 1895. First lit on February 29, 1896, the light guided mariners past the dangerous shifting sandbars into the Coquille River and harbor at Bandon. The light contained a fourth-order Fresnel lens and connected to the nearby keepers house by a wooden walkway. In September 1936, a large wildfire swept through the surrounding area, and destroyed most of Bandon. The town soon became bankrupt as a result of the decline in shipping. Coquille Light was shut down in 1939 and replaced by an automated light on the south jetty.

We had lunch at Lord Bennett's in Bandon.  The restaurant was only open for us.  There was beautiful art glass throughout the two story restaurant.  

After lunch we visited the Bandon State Natural Area where we saw Face Rock. There are several versions of an American Indian legend about this spot. Some say they hear a maiden's voice on the wind.  Standing on the cliff overlooking the ocean, I could easily pick out the face on Face Rock and the nearby cats and kittens. There was a well-kept trail to the beach, however I decided to remain on the cliff with the bus.  I could walk down to the beach but not sure I could get back up.

At 2:00PM we explored Old Town Bandon.  I got a cup of Umpqua ice cream.  I wandered into a book store.  I found a cache: Marina View (GC1QYE5).  I saw some of the artwork on the waterfront.  Afterwards we visited the South Slough Estuarine Reserve.

We had dinner at the Red Lion.  At 7:00 we had wrap up for the week.  We each did a poem, sang a song, etc. for one minute.  I recited the poem "Where's George?" that I found on the Internet.

Except for Buffet Breakfast tomorrow morning the Road Scholar program had come to an end.  It was not the best Elderhostel/Road Scholar program that I have attended (this program makes 46 attended) but it was certainly not the worst.

After I returned home I read through the Printed Program Details.  I was surprised at the number of items missing from the program:
Cheese, fruit and drink at reception (Optional)
Missing: Lecture and slideshow introducing colorful people who have called the coast home.  Instead we saw a Video on Oregon Coast Estuaries that was very difficult to understand.
Missing: Walk about a mile on a gently sloping forest path along the South Slough Estuarine Reserve to a boardwalk over the tide flats.  Perhaps seeing Heron, Egret, ducks, geese and other sea birds.
Missing: Wrap-up evening.  Slide show and geography activity.  Instead we were given one minute to sing a song, recite a poem, etc.
Missing: Stamp or Label for Passports
Missing: Evaluation forms