Loon Lake: Hwy 38

Loon Lake sits off of Highway 38, between Reedsport and Elkton. For many years as a young child, I traveled that road with my family while my Dad fished out of Winchester Bay. And for all those years, the turn off to Loon Lake has intrigued me. Several years ago, my partner and I pulled …

Eel Lake: Winchester Bay

I know that many people go to the coast specifically to walk the beach -- and I love the beach too -- but I also like walking through the coastal forests with its salal and rhododendrons filling in the understory. While at the coast a couple weeks ago, we stopped by Eel Lake to explore. Eel …

Hinsdale Rhododendron Garden: Reedsport

Earlier this month we headed to Reedsport to experience something new, the O.H. Hinsdale Rhododendron Garden. Located 3 miles east of Reedsport on Highway 38, the garden is currently being restored by a joint partnership between the BLM and the “Friends of Hinsdale Garden.” This hidden treasure was a labor of love for one man, …

Umpqua River Boardwalk: Reedsport

I’ve often been curious about the riverfront in Reedsport. From my perspective, it has always seemed like a lost opportunity; really, you would hardly know that Reedsport was on a river if you didn’t cross it on your way out of town. In the past, our forays down to the river to explore have only …

Elk at the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area

Lately, I’ve had many opportunities to drive past the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area, just east of Reedsport. Each time, I always look for elk out in the meadows, and I frequently stop for a closer look and to stretch my legs. For me, there is something captivating about the elk – maybe it is …