Day 9 – 8/23 – Coos Bay continued

Finally, the whole group gang is here.  The Hams arrived with their new coach at last, here at the Umpqua Discovery Center on Saturday:

But they did miss the tour of the Umpqua Lighthouse and seeing the beautiful first-order Fresnel lens, straight from Paris.  There aren’t many left in the world:

But the Hams did get to enjoy lunch at Schooners Cafe with us:

 

So now it is another day, and time to get our rested selves into the carpools and go to the Cape Arago for sightseeing today at Shore Acres State Park, and a picnic lunch.  Food?  Sure…we’ll all be there!

Sights today include:  Sunset Bay, Shore Acres State Park, lighthouse and marine mammal viewing.  We’ll return by way of the Oregon Connection Myrtlewood Factory, one of the oldest continuously working Myrtlewood factories on the Southern Oregon Coast.

So what is myrtlewood?, you ask.  Oregon Myrtlewood is a broadleaf evergreen native to Southwestern Oregon and Northwestern California.  The leaves are frequently used in cooking as a substitute for True Bay, and are also noted as a flea repellant when freshly crushed.  Side note:  Our campers do not have fleas!

Oregon Myrtlewood possesses a wide variety of beautiful colors and grain patterns and is noted by many as being one of the world’s most beautiful woods.  I’m sure today’s shoppers will find many tempting items!

BBQ dinner is poolside at The Mill Casino tonight.  Life is good!