Cascade Head Nature Conservancy Trail

Located just 25 minutes south of Sandlake Country Inn, this spectacular coastal headland owned by the Nature Conservancy is a haven for rare plants, wildlife and grassland and the rare silverspot butterfly.

Conservancy ecologists also monitor the populations of rare plants throughout the year. In spring and summer, teams of volunteers remove invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry, help maintain trails, assist with research projects and teach visitors about the preserve.

The Oregon coast hiking is spectacular. Please always leave only your footprints behind in these very sensitive areas. Be prepared for all types of weather conditions and path conditions.

Directions:

There are two trails on Cascade Head. To reach the lower trail (a more vigorous hike to the top of the headland):

• Head south from Sandlake Country Inn on US 101 toward Lincoln City. 
• Just north of the Salmon River, turn west on Three Rocks Road.
• At 2 miles, take the left fork and park in Knight Park.
• The trailhead begins there. It crosses through private and U.S. Forest Service property and over a narrow winding road, so please use caution and respect private property.

The upper trail (a more level 1-mile hike to the upper viewpoint) is closed by the U.S. Forest Service from January 1 to July 15. To reach it:

• Drive 2.4 miles north of the Salmon River, almost to the summit of Cascade Head.
• Turn left on Cascade Head Road (USFS Road 1861).
• Continue approximately 3.5 miles, bearing left when the road forks. (There is a U.S. Forest Service trail to Harts Cove at the end of this road.)
• The upper trailhead is marked by a small parking lot and sign. At the upper viewpoint, the trail drops steeply 500 feet to connect with the lower trail.

Diane Emineth

Sandlake Country Inn

Your Romantic Getaway on the Beautiful Oregon Coast

SILETZ BAY SAND CASTLE COMPETITION

Let your inner artist out at the Siletz Bay Sand Castle Competition! Bring your shovel, bucket and other non-power equipment and create your masterpiece in the sand.

This is a competition for non-professionals, so all are welcome. Choice of sand sculpture is up to you at this family friendly event. 
The SILETZ BAY SAND CASTLE COMPETITION is August 11, 2012 with registration open at noon.

Open Categories
Group: (or family)
Pairs: (or couples)
Individuals: (over 10 years)
Kids: (Ages 1 - 10)

Best Mermaid
Best Chowderhead
Best Sandcastle
Best Tiki
Best Dog
Best Family or Group Masterpiece
Best Pair or Couples Masterpiece
Best Masterpiece by an Individual
Best *Kids Masterpiece! (Under 10 years old, single, pair or group)

*There will be 1st Place, 2nd Place and 3rd Place winners

Diane Emineth

Sandlake Country Inn

Your Romantic Getaway on the Beautiful Oregon Coast

Oregon Coast Crabbing

When it comes to crabbing, Oregon does it right!  Oregon is often a leader in sustainable practices and crabbing is no different. Did you know that Oregon is the only certified sustainable state crab fishery? Oregon coast crabbing is one of the many activies natives and visitors love to do in our area. Just minutes from Sandlake Country Inn in beautiful Netarts Bay, you'll be able to try your hand at crabbing. These tasty crustaceans are prized by chefs. James Beard is quoted "'meal the gods intended only for the pure in palate" when describing the Pacific Northwest's dungeness crab, and it was also Julia Child's favorite!

Dungeness Crab

The Dungeness crab fishery in Oregon is managed by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) using a simple system known as the '3 S's' - Size, Sex & Season.
Size - Only mature male crabs measuring at least 6 ¼ inches across the back of the shell are harvested. Undersized male crabs are returned to the ocean to insure a healthy 'breed stock'.
Sex - ALL female crabs are released unharmed and return to the ocean floor, where they continue the mating cycle to insure healthy stocks and future harvests.
Season - The annual harvest begins each year on December 1, when the crabs are hard-shelled, full of meat and in their prime. The season closes on August 14th to minimize handling so that 'post molt', soft-shelled crabs can 'fill out' undisturbed.

This management method has served the resource well for decades and insures that the Dungeness fishery is truly sustainable.

To go crabbing on your own, just head to Netarts Bay and pick up everything you need for your adventure. You can get your license and supplies at Netarts Bay RV Campgrounds and Marina, approximately a 15 minute drive from Sandlake Country Inn

Diane Emineth

Sandlake Country Inn

Your Romantic Getaway on the Beautiful Oregon Coast

Oregon Coast Tide Pools

Oregon coast tide pools are filled with beautifully unique animals showing off many colors, shapes and sizes. The best time to go tide pooling is one to two hours before the low tide. That gives you plenty of time to explore before the tide starts coming back in. All these tide pools are close to Sandlake Country Inn or an easy day trip.

Tide pooling can be very dangerous, especially in areas that you are not familiar with. Have a great time, enjoy nature, but always be aware of your surroundings. The Oregon coast beaches can be dangerous, especially in the winter. Be very aware of the tides, sneeker waves can be deadly. NEVER keep your back to the surf and don't play on the logs. If a sneaker wave comes, it will pick that log up like a toothpick and can land on you.

The following is a list of favorite tide pool areas on the North Oregon Coast:

Seaside Beach - The Cove (south end): Explore around the large rocks at low tide, but BE CAREFUL, this area is known for sneaker waves.


Ecola State Park: Indian Beach - There is a path down to the beach and there are tide pools at the south end. Find more info about Ecola State Park

Haystack Rock - Canon Beach: One of the best places along the coast. You can find an array of creatures such as sea stars, hermit crabs, anemones, purple shore crabs, limpets, sea cucumbers and an array of birds, including puffins. More about Haystack Rock

Canon Beach Tide Pools

Hug Point State Park: Be sure to explore the entire area here. It has sea caves, a waterfall and even the old road that was blasted out of the rock that enabled the old Model T's and horses to get over the point dating from the early part of the 20th century. While here, be very aware of the tide. You don't want to get stranded when exploring the point. Learn more about Hug Point

Arcadia State Park:  Located just 2 miles south of Canon Beach, the tide pools are at the north end of the park. More about Arcadia State Park

Oswald West State Park - Short Sands Beach: Popular with surfboarders and boogie boarders, the beach is always alive with activity. More about Short Sands Beach

Barview Jetty - Barview Jetty Park: Beach access with rocky areas and a few scattered tide pools

Oceanside: Head north and go through the tunnel to find the secret beach on the other side. Viewable on extreme negative tides.

Oceanside Tide Pool

Cape Lookout State Park: If you walk from the park south to the base of the cape there are tide pools all along the base of the cape. Explore this area only when there are calm conditions. More about Cape Lookout State Park.

Pacific City: At the base of Cape Kiwanda, there is a small area of great tide pools when conditions are calm and there are negative tides.

Lincoln City: Long stretches of sandy beaches make tide pools scarce in this area but you can find some at the ramp of NW 15th St. where there are some rocky areas.

Devil's Punchbowl Marine Gardens: A little north of the punchbowl structure there is a small beach that features a variety marine gardens. Follow the trailhead at the north end of the parking lot. More about Devil's Punchbowl Marine Gardens


Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area: Walk down the steps to the natural area below the light house. Watch your steps because this area is very rocky and slippery, but you'll be able to see an amazing array of wildlife. More on the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area Tide Pools

Diane Emineth

Sandlake Country Inn

Your Romantic Getaway on the Beautiful Oregon Coast

Drift Creek Falls & Suspension Bridge

The beautiful Oregon Coast is filled with spectacular hikes and scenery and activities. You can see a lot if you're driving along the coast route of Highway #101, but to really experience the beauty of nature, you must get out of your car and explore.

No matter what season, a wonderful hike with spectacular views and an amazing payoff is the Drift Creek Falls Trail and suspension bridge.. A fairly easy 3 mile round trip hike through lush forest. You'll then find yourself on a 240 foot suspension bridge, 100 feet above Drift Creek. The suspension bridge is the longest suspension bridge in Oregon. Never fear, the bridge barely moves under you and can hold a massive amount of weight! After crossing the bridge, you can take a short hike down to the pool bed. In the summer, you might even want to take a swim!

Directions from Sandlake Country Inn:

• Go south on #101 from Pacific City
• Take #18 east from Lincoln City.
• About 4 miles on #18 you will see a brown park sign for Drift Creek Falls. Turn Left onto the side road.
• Drive 9 miles to the paved parking lot and well marked trailhead.

Please note: You’ll need a $5 Northwest Forest Pass, which can be purchased at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/passespermits/index.shtml 

Drift Creek Falls & Suspension Bridge    Photo by Dee Brausch

Click below to view the wonderful video from Grant's Getaways

Grant's Getaways - Drift Creek Trail from Travel Oregon on Vimeo.

Diane Emineth

Sandlake Country Inn

Your Romantic Getaway on the Beautiful Oregon Coast

Vegan Breakfasts at Sandlake Country Inn

Breakfast might be "chef's choice" (me), but we always take into consideration dietary issues and are quite comfortable doing vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, non-dairy and lactose intolerant, etc. breakfasts. Don't worry, if you don't have any dietary restrictions, we'll make you our normal breakfast!

Here is my favorite recipe that everyone loves and you would never know it's vegan! The recipe has no animal products of any kind. Try it, you'll love it!

Sandlake Country Inn Vegan Pumpkin Bread

Prep Time: 20 minutes/cooking time 1 hr 15 minutes/makes (2) 8"x4" loaves

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup chopped walnuts
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups packed dark brown sugar
2/3 cup white sugar
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 cups pumpkin puree
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup coconut milk
2/3 cup flaked coconut

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and sugar (just use sugar to line the pan instead of the typical flour) two 8"x4" loaf pans.
2. Spread walnuts in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Toast in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Set aside to cool.
3. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar, white sugar, baking soda, salt nutmeg and cinnamon. Add the pumpkin puree, oil and coconut milk and mix until all of the flour is absorbed. Fold in the flaked coconut and toasted walnuts. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
4. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cover loaves tightly with foil. Allow to steam for 10 minutes. Remove foil and turn out onto a cooling rack. Tent loosely with the foil and allow to cool completely.

Diane Emineth
Sandlake Country Inn
503-965-6745
"Your romantic getaway on the beautiful Oregon coast".
 

National Hot Breakfast Month

Bet you didn't know that February has been named National Hot Breakfast Month! Here at Sandlake Country Inn, everyday we celebrate a hot breakfast.

Apple Pie French Toast Bake

Here's what our guests woke up to yesterday. Our breakfast delivered to their door was:  fresh fruit with vanilla yogurt, Diane's homemade granola & milk, sausage links (vegetarian sausage patties for our vegetarian guests) and apple pie French toast bake. Of course, we also delivered Ron's home roasted coffee, tea &/or hot chocolate.

What a way to start your day! Come stay with us and you can celebrate the most important meal of the without ever getting out of your robe and slippers.

Approximately 60% of Americans each day never eat a hot breakfast. Maybe that's why the Jimmy Dean Sausage folks created National Hot Breakfast Month. You don't have to be a sausage eater to enjoy a hot breakfast. We can prepare a vegetarian, gluten free, vegan, low carb special breakfast for those who have dietary restrictions or food allergies. Just let us know when making your reservation with us and we'll work around most any dietary issues.  

Diane Emineth
Sandlake Country Inn
503-965-6745
Your Romantic Getaway on the Oregon Coast near Pacific City, Oregon