Our last family outing to the Oregon Coast was during Florence, Oregon’s annual Exploding Whale Memorial Celebration in November. Right after Thanksgiving, we decided on a yurt as our chosen abode for a brief escape.
Booking a Coastal Yurt Experience
We’re passionate campers, but occasionally the ease of not having to set up a tent is a welcome change. Accompanied by our two little furry companions, sometimes a tent doesn’t offer the comfort we crave. For the past two trips to the Oregon Coast, we’ve chosen a yurt at Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park in Florence. If you’re wondering, a yurt is inspired by the traditional shelters of Central Asian nomads – sturdy, watertight, and cozy.
These yurts on the Oregon Coast are well-insulated, boasting electric heaters and lights inside. With bunk beds, a fold-out couch, and room for four and two pets, it’s spacious. There’s a nominal fee for pets, and the exterior includes the usual campsite features.
The weather on our primary exploration day was far from ideal: cold, windy, and with pouring rain. Coastal trips demand preparedness for unpredictable weather shifts.
One of our stops was Yachats, roughly 30 miles from the park, where we had heard of a whale carcass that kept reappearing with the tides. Though it had been months, remnants of the whale were still there. Our hunt took a while in the unwelcoming weather, but we eventually located it, albeit reduced to its hide. Observing nature’s cycles, even in this form, is always fascinating.
Exploring Yachats
In Yachats, we visited Styx, Stones n Bones, a mesmerizing gem and fossil store home to a full-sized juvenile Tyrannosaurus Rex named Betty. Afterward, we treated ourselves to beverages and ice creams at Toppers Ice Cream, a quaint spot in the heart of Yachats.
Whale Park’s Unique Attraction
Before retreating to our warm yurt, we made a final stop: Whale Park in Yachats, housing a peculiar installation. While the term “park” might be a stretch (it’s essentially a small grassy patch), it features a bronze whale tail sculpture and a marker introducing the whale as Bazalgette. I had heard of this ‘spouting’ whale but hadn’t seen it in action. Apparently, it spouts during the summer, offering a delightful spectacle for visitors. We intend to revisit during the warmer months to witness Bazalgette’s spectacle firsthand. You can catch this attraction at 140 Prospect Avenue, Yachats, Oregon.
