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Curious Ocean Sights A Week Before Oregon Coast Storm |
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Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Wadport, Yachats & Florence.
12/18/06
Secrets of the Season |
Curious Ocean Sights A Week Before Oregon Coast Storm
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| Nye Beach, where two women reported seeing the glowing creatures |
(Newport, Oregon) – It’s one of those rather unusual occurrences in nature that are normally reserved for summertime, and even then it’s somewhat rare on Oregon’s coast. Numerous people in Newport – both tourists and residents – spotted a strange sight in the tumultuous water about a week before the big storm hit.
Bob Trusty, co-owner of Village Market & Deli in the central Oregon coast resort town, saw an interesting display of the infamous “glowing sand” last weekend, which is created by a form of tiny phytoplankton called dinoflagellates.
On a Wednesday or Thursday night a week before Thursday's storm - Trusty wasn't sure - he said he was looking out his ocean view window and saw the waves “sparkling.”
D Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Getting a free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the beginning. Every room is beachfront, and it's all right up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach, next to the D River. Each room, comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some have gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players with movies available for renting (and movie rentals come with free popcorn). There's a heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep anywhere from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates are available, and they offer special occasion packages as well. To make a reservation and see a virtual tour of the rooms, visit our website at www.dsandsmotel.com. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925. |
“It was sort of sparkly and flashing” Trusty said. “There was a touch of silver, but also kind of greenish, bluish. They rode the waves as they crested. They’d be on top of the waves as they came, then they’d tumble over and down as the waves went down.”
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| Agate Beach, where Trusty saw the sparkling waves |
There was a full moon that night, but Trusty said he could tell the difference between that and this effect of another color coming in with the tide.
Bioluminescent phytoplankton is not unusual in many parts of the world; some species glow a red color. They are somewhat rare on Oregon’s coast, however, as the water is fairly cold.
The sighting is also unusual because it’s much more likely to happen in summer, and then it’s normally seen on the sand and not in the waves. But in this case, the bioluminescent phytoplankton was seen shimmering in the waves as they crashed, thus disturbing the little creatures and causing them to flash.
They are, however, known to flash when the waves carrying them hit rocks at night.
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| Tiffany Boothe of the Seaside Aquarium managed to snap this rare photograph of two of the glowing phytoplankton |
Also quite unusual is that Trusty’s home is about a quarter of a mile away from the tide line and almost 100 feet in elevation. Plus, the full moon was happening, which should have made this impossible to see. Normally, these creatures are extremely faint and barely visible even close up.
Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach If expansive ocean views, close proximity to golfing, fishing tours and quick access to seven miles of pristine beaches is your thing, then this quintessential beauty in Rockaway Beach is your ticket to vacation fun for families, couples or large groups. Some rooms are pet friendly. All rooms at the Tradewinds Motel are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones with data ports. The oceanfronts all have a queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and a private deck. Some oceanfront units come with all those amenities but the kitchens. Both types sleep up to four people. The non-oceanfront rooms are appointed with a queen bed, small fridge, and coffee maker – sizable for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. There is an elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite that has two bedrooms, coming with a kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For those wanting bigger accommodations for family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
Trusty was not the only one to see them, however. “A couple of ladies staying at the Sylvia Beach Hotel here mentioned something to me at the restaurant,” Trusty said. “And I said yes, I’d seen them too. They were apparently a little relieved to realize they weren’t seeing things.
“They saw it from their hotel room, about 75 feet up, but they were right on the ocean.”
Keith
Chandler, manager of the Seaside Aquarium, said he knew of no oceanic
conditions which would be more conducive to spotting the glowing critters
at this time of year. He did guess at one possibility, however.
“The coming storms might have churned up some stuff and brought them up in greater numbers,” Chandler said.
Normally, upwellings from the deep ocean result in more of the dinoflagellates, but Chandler doubted that was the case here.
“I didn’t get any calls of any weird stuff washing up during these recent storms,” Chandler said. “Aside from last week’s shark and porpoise. But I usually get more calls if there’s some upwellings.”
Lincoln City Vacation Homes There’s something for everyone among this selection of wondrous homes: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All the homes are either oceanfront or just a few steps away from the sand – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies, depending on the home: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets are allowed in some homes – ask ahead. Each comes with complete kitchens so you’ll have a home away from home. Most have the seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com. 541-994-8778. |
Inn At Spanish Head, Lincoln City. It's Lincoln City’s only resort hotel built right on the beach with all oceanfront rooms - nestled against a rugged cliffside overlooking a soft, sandy beach. Enjoy dining in the penthouse restaurant and bar - whether you’re in the mood for a casual meal or a candlelight dinner. They offer an array of seafood specialties, juicy steaks and other Northwest favorites, including a decadent Sunday buffet. Rooms range from bedrooms to studios to one-bedroom suites with microwaves and refrigerators to full kitchens. Hotel amenities include wi-fi, spa, saunas, exercise room and a year-round heated swimming pool. Kids will love the game room and easy beach access. Full-service conference and meeting rooms for that inspirational retreat; extensive, gorgeous wedding possibilities. Near the south end of Lincoln City at 4009 SW Highway 101. 1-800-452-8127 or 541-996-2161. www.spanishhead.com |
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