Bend, OR

Bandon is part of Oregon’s southern coastline. Though small Bandon thrives and has its’ own bit of history. Originally it was a gold mining town though that didn’t last long. What Bandon is famous for are the commercials that have been filmed there by Budweiser and their Clydesdales, Chevrolet and Jeep, all ocean scenes, as well as a few other companies. They are also famous for the cranberries which supply Oregon’s cranberries, Ocean Spray and more than 5% of the nation’s crop. It is one of the gold miners who failed to find fortune in gold, so instead planted vines from Cape Cod thus giving this hideaway its’ famous start,

There are the gift shops, art galleries, lodging and restaurants of course but I go to Bandon for a few reasons. One is for the every year cranberry festival. I admit it doesn’t sound to awfully exciting but actually I do enjoy myself there. I first went with my grandparents thinking I would just wander the beaches and gift shops which I did do. But I also caught myself dancing in the streets and on the beaches with the music that wafted through the air throughout all of Bandon. I did wander through all of the vendors which taught me that there are more cranberry products that I ever dreamed. I didn’t watch the special football game but instead walked along the beach loop tour in which amazing views of the craggy rocks and cliffs can be seen. One of the more known sea rocks seems to have a face on it which I have been told by way of legend is the face of an Indian woman frozen by an evil spirit and other surrounding rocks are her animals thrown out to sea by the same spirit.

Personally I love low tide around these rocks and the jetty for tide pool searching. I love walking on the jetty out to the lighthouse which is actually a museum of sorts. The Coquille lighthouse is just a tiny little lighthouse, accessed by the state park and no longer in use for guiding ships. Its’ Victorian architecture makes it interesting as there are few original Victorian buildings in Oregon.

I can sit on the backside of the lighthouse, where no one sees and watch the ocean or upon the beach and when the sun goes down when it almost makes the different sea stacks come alive with their own life in the dwindling twilight. This feels like an atmospheric balm and for me at least, makes the world go away when I need it to the most.

Bandon is 235 miles from La Pine. Go South on hwy 97 until the Crescent cutoff Rd, take the cutoff Rd to Hwy 58 and follow 58 until you come to I-5 and follow the signs to Bandon.