Two Lane Adventures: Day 72 of 117 on our “Go West, Young Man” Two Lane Adventure

Our Yankee Caravan spectacular last event was a drive up Route 101 N to Florence and a dune buggy ride on the Oregon Sand Dunes. Some of the world’s largest and most beautiful dunes are located here on the Central Oregon Coast. Oregon is home to the largest expanses of temperate coastal sand dunes in the world. The stark, mist-shrouded views of dunes, forests, and ocean in such close proximity to one another are rare and hauntingly beautiful. Many plants and animals, including some found in few other places, call this area home. In 1972, Congress designated this 31,500-acre portion of the Siuslaw National Forest as a National Recreation Area in recognition of its unique values.

I had to take and share this picture, because you never see a line for the men’s room … but we did!

When it comes to fun and excitement, Sand Dunes Frontier found a way to accommodate everyone’s needs. We were treated to an exciting guided interpretive scenic tour on a famous “Big Purple Buggies” driven by professional skilled drivers.

They are within moments of the dunes! They have been treating guests to this experience since 1960. The big purple buggies, are built from Military Two and a Half Ton trucks with airplane tires. The king size dune buggy covers 10 to 15 miles of shifting rolling sand dunes, with picture stops and a chance to get out and take pictures on a ridge.

We had a chance to exit the dune buggy and climb the ridge to see the amazing views … some of the funniest views were the people climbing the shifting sand ridge!

Sorry Rosann and Bruce!

We also got a group picture! It was an unforgettable way to experience the beautiful Oregon Dunes.

Glistening valleys, vast hills of shifting sand, ghost-like forests and desert atmosphere add up to one of the most fascinating sights I have ever seen. I am starting to understand the thrill our son, Tim, feels with his side-by-side in the Lower California sand dunes!

The Oregon Dunes are like no other dunes in the world. Desert-like landscapes, lakes, rivers, ocean and forest blend, creating diverse ecosystems of plants and animals. This is the only part of the Oregon coast covered by extensive sand dunes. The sand dunes were formed by sand, wind, water and time.

The sand in the Oregon Dunes is from the Coast Mountain Range, which is sedimentary rock that was uplifted millions of years ago. As rock was moved downstream by rivers, it tumbled and abraded itself into sand. The shoreline has been stable for more than 5,000 years. Tides, wave action and strong coastal winds moved sand up to 2.5 miles inland for thousands of years. This area of dune development rests on a gently sloping terrace of solid marine sandstone called the Coos Bay Dune Sheet. This low rock surface stretches 56 miles from Heceta Head to Cape Arago and contrasts with steep headlands found on most of the Oregon coastline, which prevent inland movement of sand.

Winds are a major influence in dune formation. Summer winds blow steadily from the north and northwest at 12-16 miles per hour. Mountain barriers near the coast deflect wind currents, sculpting the sand info many different shapes. In winter, winds are generally lighter; however, they can exceed 100 miles per hour during intense winter storms. These winds blow from the south and southwest moving large amounts of sand. Seasonal changes in wind direction reshape dune sculptures and ridges. They dunes can be different from a morning ride and an afternoon ride.

Water influences the dune formation too. Strong ocean currents flowing north in winter and south in summer hold sediment from rivers near the shore. Currents, tides and wave action dredge sand from the ocean floor and deposit it on the beaches where the wind takes over. Sand absorbs and stores a large part of the annual rainfall. Where winds have removed sand down to the water table, plants have flourished. In the wet winter, the rising water table creates marshy areas with standing water several feet deep. With the upward pressure of water, the sand grains become more saturated and may float, resulting in quicksand.

I have to say I love my husband, he helps me find the best pictures! We were driving up to the sand dunes and we caught a glimpse of a trestle bridge along some blue, blue water. He said, on the way back, we will get the shot. Well, we had to drive down a dirt road, turn around and then I had to take a short man made path to the top of a ridge to see the hidden beauty … but we found it and I got it! Stunningly beautiful!

The tiny coastal town of Gardiner, Oregon, with a population of under 300, is not known for its tourist attractions, but art lovers will want to keep their eyes peeled for a big yellow building on the Coast Highway, home of Tsunami Gallery. It has an eclectic display of sculptures and paintings from many Oregonian artists. There are two outdoor bronzes crafted by the gallery's owner Mack Holman, they frame the gallery’s parking lot.

The owner, Mack Holman, also operates a foundry on site, one of his bronze sculptures is called "Cramming for Finals."

We stopped at the David Dewitt Veterans Memorial. It is on a beautiful setting with a view of the sand dunes to the north.

The local Point Man Ministries group checked with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) regarding a stretch of highway to maintain via the state Adopt-a-Highway program. The organization was offered to do something more unusual. The state offered us the opportunity to Adopt-a-Wayside just north of the McCullough Bridge as you are heading north from North Bend, Oregon. The icing on the cake was when they learned they could place a veterans memorial on the site as long as it did not block the view of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area or the McCullough Bridge.

Navy veteran, David Dewett, immediately showed great interest in the wayside. He began organizing work parties to tidy up the area. David passed away from cancer in 2005. During the time of mourning it was decided to honor Dave with the "David Dewett Veterans Memorial Wayside". The 73rd Oregon Legislative Assembly adjourned the day before David Dewett passed away.

In their legislative session they passed House Bill 2739 that allows for the following: "State funding assistance made available from State Parks and Recreation to nonprofit veterans' organizations for constructing and restoring veterans and war memorials located on public property." The local Point Man Ministries outreach is a "nonprofit" organization and the property is "public". They had an answer to prayers and a real blessing. The Veterans Memorial was completed in 2008 and residents and guests have been enjoying it for 10 years! To continually support the memorial, memorial bricks can be purchased.