Finders Keepers: Reflections of the Moon

(Mid-October to Memorial Day)

In days gone by, visitors searching Oregon's beaches often found treasures from the east: blown glass floats, in intriguing shades of green and blue. Used by Japanese fishing crews to float their nets, these spheres were as small as two inches (5 cm) or as large as two feet (.6 m). They were hoarded, polished and adored, the ultimate find for a dedicated beachcomber.

Now that fishing vessels around the world use buoyant plastic, a blown glass float is a rare find - except on the beaches of Lincoln City, where more than 2,000 of them are found each winter, a few placed on the beach each day the ocean permits it. We put out the number of floats reflected by the year - so 2001 in 2001, 2002 in 2002, etc....

The project began in 1997, when a local artist first thought of glass floats as an intriguing way to launch the new millennium. Lincoln City sponsored the project, hosting the inaugural season in 1999-2000. Tourists came from around the country to search for their own brilliantly-colored, signed and numbered glass float.

For Lincoln City, the Millennium Float project was a perfect combination of art and the outdoors. Those who came in search of a float often found their way to area galleries, where unnumbered floats were available for sale along with a dizzying array of fine art glass from around the world.

The city continues the promotion annually, running from Mid-October to Memorial Day - with hand-crafted glass floats being placed along the 7-1/2 miles (12 km) of public beach in Lincoln City, from the Roads End area to the Cutler City area. You find it, you keep it!

Floats may be found above the high tide line and below the beach embankment. Floats will not be found in or on the cliffs. Please be aware of beach safety. Never turn your back on the ocean! Sneaker waves and the force of the ocean often move logs and can be unsafe. Floats are not hidden on the beaches during storms.

An exhibit of historic glass fishing floats can be viewed at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum.

When you find a float, call the Visitor and Convention Bureau, 1-800-452-2151 or 541-996-1274, and register your float. We will send a Certificate of Authenticity and information about the artists who crafted your float.

Special drawings are held monthly at the Visitor Center for glass floats. Bring a bag of beach trash to the Visitor and Convention Bureau, 540 NEHwy 101, and fill out an entry form. Handicapped persons with a handicap sticker number are also eligible to enter and win a monthly float drawing.

Families and individuals can now come to the beach and experience the joy of searching for glass floats. It's a perfect opportunity to start a new family tradition!

Oregon Coastal Events

Lincoln City Events

Freed Gallery

Location: 6119 SW Hwy 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367

Phone: (541) 994-5600

Lincoln City Glass Center & Jennifer Sears Glass Studio

This is your chance to get up close and personal with the process of creating Art Glass. Feel the warmth of the glory hole as you create a lasting memory in colored glass. Friendly instructors guide each student through a creative process of creating Art Glass.

Location: Corner of 48th and HWY 101, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367

Phone: 541-996-2569

Ryan Gallery

Ryan Gallery is located in Lincoln City, on the beautiful Oregon Coast at 4270 N. Highway 101. Established in 1975, Ryan Gallery is one of the oldest and finest galleries on the coast, and has become a favored destination for Northwest travelers. Known for its wide variety of artworks, Ryan exhibits original art and crafts by 100 Northwest artists. Traditional, contemporary and whimsical art are all creatively displayed in a 3,000-square-foot building in a wooded garden setting. The welcoming landmark gallery, at the north entrance of Lincoln City, shows original paintings, sculpture, glass, ceramics and jewelry. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Location: 4270 N. Highway 101, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367

Phone: 541-994-5391

Once in a Blue Moon Gallery

"Welcome to Once in a Blue Moon Gallery Located along the Oregon coast in Lincoln City. We feature a selection of fine art and craft items that have a whimsical, celestial theme. We hope that you will come and visit our shop, or you may order from this virtual gallery." - Carla and Joe Lovato, owners

Location: 913 SW 51st Street, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367

Phone: (541) 996-3133

Mossy Creek Pottery

Mossy Creek Pottery was founded in 1972 on six acres bordering the lush Siletz Bay Wildlife Refuge. Over the past 30 years it has become a regular stop for many on their trips to the Oregon coast. In February 2001, Dan and Susan Wheeler became the new owners of Mossy Creek Pottery. Dan, a potter for over 20 years works on site as the resident artist along with his wife Susan, a fused-glass artist. Mossy Creek Pottery features over 40 of the finest potters from the Northwest working in porcelain, stoneware and raku. There is a wide array of both functional and decorative pieces, including, dinnerware, serving pieces, lamps, platters and vases. Visitors will find an impressive selection of glazes, colors and prices. Credit cards are gladly accepted and shipping is available. Special orders are taken upon request. Come visit one of Oregon's treasures and enjoy the surroundings both inside and out!

Location: 483 Immonen Road Gleneden Beach, Oregon 97388

Phone: 541-996-2415

Oregon Coast Aquarium

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is open every day except December 25th. Our hours vary with the seasons: Winter Hours: After Labor Day to Memorial Day Weekend 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily Summer Hours: Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily

Location: 2820 SE Ferry Slip Road, Newport, Oregon

Phone: (541) 867- FISH (3474)

Columbia River Maritime Museum

When you walk into the Columbia River Maritime Museum the first thing you notice is an entire wall dedicated to the shipwrecks that have taken place on the most dangerous bar in the world. Called "The Graveyard of the Pacific," since 1972 the bar has seen approximately 2,000 vessels, including 200 larger ships, sink. Sitting back from where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, the museum`s main entrance is a tribute to the 700 people who have lost their lives. Founded in 1962, the museum is official maritime museum of the State of Oregon. It features six galleries, the great hall where movies about the river are shown, and has a light ship which is a floating lighthouse. The museum is a private nonprofit organization that is funded through membership dues, contributions and admission fees. It features every aspect of the river, from displays on commerce to areas on industry, wildlife and even war.

Location: 1792 Marine Drive, Astoria, Oregon

Phone: 503-325-2323

Sea Lion Caves

Just located miles from Lincoln City, the Sea Lion Caves features the largest sea cave in the world and an opportunity to see not only sea lions, but scores of other wildlife in their natural habitat.

Location: Located on Highway 101, 11 miles north of Florence - and 38 miles south of Newport -- on the Central Oregon Coast. From Portland, take Interstate 5 south to Exit 195-B to Highway 126 toward Florence. Take Highway 101 north 11 miles to the caves.

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum

Dreams of flight have captured the imaginations of children and adults alike for centuries. Captain Michael King Smith had a fascination with flight that began in childhood and continued throughout his short life. Captain Smith's fierce dedication and passion for flying led to his dream of an aviation museum unlike any other - a living museum that celebrates aviation's rich history, honors the patriotic service of our veterans and offers enlightening educational programs in aviation.

Location: 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville, Oregon 97128

Phone: 503-434-4185

Tillamook Cheese Factory

Tillamook Cheese is made by a 100 year old farmer-owned cooperative committed to bringing you delicious, best tasting dairy products. We work hard to carry on the traditions and values started by our founders over a century ago and believe you can taste the difference in each bite you take.

Location: 4175 Highway 101 North, Tillamook, OR 97141

Phone: 503-815-1300

Tillamook Air Museum

See one of America`s finest collections of over 30 War Birds including our P-38 Lightning, F4U-Corsair, P51-Mustang, PBY Catalina and SBD Dauntless dive bomber. Climb into a jet simulator! Explore our exhibit hall that features rare historical wartime and aviation artifacts including pieces of the great German airship the Hindenburg and a WWII Luftwaffe flight jacket. Have lunch at our 40/50`s Cafe. Enjoy shopping in our aviation gift shop. All housed in a rare World War II Blimp Hangar...the largest wooden structure in the world!

Location: 6030 Hangar Road, Tillamook, Oregon 97141

Phone: 503-842-1130

Explore Lincoln City

With everything from colorful kite festivals to fresh catch feasts to hand-blown glass floats, Lincoln City is a place of endless adventure.

Chinook Winds Casino & Resort

There is always fun stuff happening at Chinook Winds Casino Resort. Check here for current entertainment options.

Mo`s Restaurants

On the central Oregon coast, when people say Mo, they don`t mean Udall or Dean or money or better blues. They`re talking about the late Mo Niemi, restaurateur extraordinaire, or more likely about a bowl of the clam chowder that is her creamy claim to fame.

Location: 860 SW 51st Street, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367

Phone: 541-996-2535

Kyllo`s Seafood & Grill

This is a very nice, upscale restaurant. The food is unique and very good. They obviously have seafood but also have a variety of other things on the menu.

Location: 1110 NW 1st CT, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367

Phone: (541) 994-3179

The Bay House

Since 1978, The Bay House has been much more than just a fine restaurant. Great food, attentive service, and a beautiful setting have always been our hallmarks, but we are most proud of our place in the community. The Bay House has also been the stage on which many hospitality professionals have practiced their craft and demonstrated their art. With this website, we endeavor to share with you some of the energy and excitement that comes from enjoying the good life with good friends and family.

Location: 5911 Southwest Highway 101, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367

Phone: 541-996-3222

Wildflower Grill

This is a quiet little romantic restaurant. Great for any occasion. They are nice friendly and the food is excellent. The prices are reasonable.

Location: 4250 NE Highway 101, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367

Phone: (541) 994-9663

Lil` Sambo`s

Stacks of warm pancakes of every stripe, from blueberry and buckwheat to coconut and potato. The delicious dishes and moving memories just keep on coming, all day long at Lil' Sambo's Restaurant in Lincoln City. From dawn to dusk, this family-oriented landmark just keeps on going. For the past five decades, locals and visitors have depended on Lil' Sambo's for a good meal, through thick and thin.

Location: 3262 NE HWY 101, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367

Phone: 541-994-3626

Galluccis Pizzeria

Established in 1974, Gallucci`s Pizzeria has become quite the destination spot for tourists and locals alike. From award winning oven baked pizza to broasted chicken, a 33-item salad bar and spaghetti, Gallucci`s has something for everyone, including a large video game room filled with the latest in games to entertain the kids.

Location: 2845 NW HWY 101, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367

Phone: 541-994-3411

Dockside Charters

We feel there is no higher compliment than clients who not only want to fish or cruise with us again but will recommend us to family and friends, or better yet bring them along! We at Dockside feel so strongly about our commitment to you that we are deeply involved in our community so that it can continue to be the Star of the Oregon Coast.

Location: Depoe Bay, Oregon 97341

Phone: (541) 765-254

Toll Free: (800) 733-8915

Tradewinds Charters

Since 1938, Tradewinds Charters in Depoe Bay has been providing "Top Deck" ocean charters for whale watching, sportfishing, bird watching, and Ecology Tours. With a fleet of twelve modern, fully equipped vessels, experienced, knowledgeable, and very friendly captains and crew, Tradewinds is the premier ocean charter service on the Oregon Coast. From the moment you check in at our charter office and board our vessels, you will definitely feel a part of the crew and right at home. We strive for not only the best in whale watching and fishing, but the best in fun.

Location: Highway 101, Downtown Depoe Bay, Oregon 97341

Phone: 541-765-2345

Toll Free: 800-445-8730

Siletz Moorage

Welcome to Siletz Moorage located on the lower Siletz River just off Hwy 101, one mile south of Lincoln City Oregon. One of the best locations in Northwest Oregon to fish for huge 50 pound plus Chinook Salmon. Siletz Bay is also a great place to catch a limit of fresh Northwest Dungeness Crab or take a guided fishing trip with a guide. Spend the day crabbing Oregon coast. Kayak rentals, moorage and Oregon coast fishing boat rentals. Fishing Lincoln City.

Location: 82 Siletz Highway, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367

Phone: 541-996-3671

Salishan Golf

Golf on the Oregon Coast

Location: 7760 Highway 101 North PO BOX 118, Gleneden Beach, Or 97388

Toll Free: 1-800-452-2300

Chinook Winds Golf

Just a tee-shot away from the Chinook Winds Casino is Chinook Winds Golf Resort. The lush, mature course is cut into the mountainside, amongst old-growth timber, bordered by natural wetlands and designed water features, and is stippled with defiant bunkers–a true eighteen-hole challenge for every level of golfer. 4547 yards from the blue tees.

Location: 3245 NE 50th St, Lincoln City, OR 97364

Phone: (541) 994-8442

Neskowin Beach Golf Course

Location: 48405 Hawk St, Neskowin, OR 97149

Phone: (503) 392-33775

Bumble Bee ATV Sales & Rental

The Oregon Dunes: Bumble Bee ATV Sales & Rentals LLC in Reedsport, Oregon, offers sales of youth,and adult, Adly , Jackel, Unison, in 50 cc, 90 cc, 110 cc ,150 cc, 250 cc, and 300cc sizes. For your convenience, our full-service shop can take care of the needed repairs and welding to get you back on the sand dunes as quickly as possible , with affordable pricing. We also carry a large selection of ATV parts,for all the brands including many of the china and Tawain made ATV`S. Our store carries accessories including helmets, gloves, goggles, as well as riding apparel for men, women and children to ensure your safety and comfort, while riding your atv`s and dirt bikes on our great Oregon Dunes. Stop by today and see why so many people make Bumble Bee ATV Sales & Rentals LLC their choice for ATV sales, rentals, parts, service, and accessories.

Location: 2057 Winchester Avenue, Reedsport, OR 97467-1152

Phone: 541-271-0780

Sand Dunes Frontier

Experience the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area close up with our scenic tours. Some of the worlds largest and most beautiful dunes located on the Central Oregon Coast. When it comes to fun and excitement, we can accommodate just about everyone`s needs. From driving your own rental ATV to professionally guided interpretive scenic tours by our skilled drivers, we have it all.

Location: 83960 HWY 101 South, Reedsport, Oregon

Phone: 541-997-3544

Mail Boat Hydro-Jet Trips

Since 1895, the mail boats have been braving the rapids from Gold Beach on the Oregon Coast up the Rogue River. While mail delivery remains one of our functions, providing scenic trips on the river in our jet powered mail boats has become our main attraction.

Location: Gold Beach, Oregon 97444

Phone: 541-247-7033

Toll Free: 1-800-458-3511

C&M Stables - Beach Rides

People who love horses and horseback riding come to C & M Stables for a worry-free experience of relaxation and rejuvenation. We are located on the beautiful Central Oregon Coast, just 8 miles North of Florence, Oregon. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, C&M Stables offers a variety of horseback riding experiences. Choose a riding adventure that is waiting for you! You`ll begin by riding on a trail through a beautiful scenic dune area for 20 to 25 minutes. As you get closer to the beach, you will hear the powerful Pacific Ocean waves pounding the surf and you will smell the incredible salt air. Suddenly, you are on the beach for a breathtaking ride along the shoreline. We also invite you to join our Stable Club to receive special seasonal offers. For those who own their own horse, our Horse Hotel offers daily and monthly boarding. Click here for jobs.

Location: 90241 HWY 101 North, Florence, Oregon 97439

Phone: 5541-997-7540

Lincoln City Outlet Mall

We have over 50 iconic brands available for shopping experience. Be sure to visit customer services for your free coupon book and save even more.

Location: 1500 SE E Devils Lake Rd, Lincoln City, OR 97367

Phone: (541) 996-5000

Oregon Parks & Recreation

Why do they migrate? How long does the migration last? Visitors to 26 "Whale Watching Spoken Here" sites along the Oregon coast can find answers to those and other questions, and maybe even see a whale. More than 400 trained volunteers will be at the selected sites from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. during the annual spring whale watch week. Check out this website for a list of sites.

Oregon Coast Whale Watching

Whale Watch Weeks Winter watch weeks are always Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Spring Whale Watch Week is from Mar. 21 through Mar. 28. Historically, these weeks have provided numerous whale sightings. During the most recent watch, for example, there were 1,123 sightings and officials called that a low showing...

Location: Oregon Coast

Grey Whales and Where to Spot Them

Whale watching is a year-round activity on the Oregon Coast with gray whales by far the most commonly seen. Whale watching is not difficult, but a few tips make it easier. Any location with an ocean view may yield whale sightings, and morning light with the sun at your back is best. First locate whale spouts with your naked eye; then focus more closely with binoculars. For an even closer view, try whale watching from a charter boat. And some people prefer the view from above - from an airplane or helicopter. Both charter boats and air services are available (and listed here). And, of course, calmer days are best, whether by land, sea, or air...

Basket Case Wine

We think you deserve a good wine at a fair price, and we`re putting all of our winemaking background in to doing just that. Most of all, wine is about fun. Work hard, play hard. basket case-wine for the crazy in all of us!

Location: 6424 Pacific Avenue Unit B, Pacific City, Oregon 97135

Phone: 503-932-1744

Brandborg Vineyard and Winery

We handcraft fine varietal wines with minimal intervention to preserve the character of the fruit. This style creates wine that is an invitation to fine dining. While our own vineyard matures, we will be making wine from carefully selected vineyards throughout the Umpqua Valley . This unique and diverse grape growing area has allowed us to select varieties best suited to their individual terroir. The northwest and coolest part of this region is Elkton. Here the marine influence permits only cool climate varietals to ripen. We made pinot noir, riesling and gewurztraminer from the Bradley Vineyard, planted in Elkton in 1983. From the Marshanne Vineyard near Oakland, a warmer inland site, we harvested syrah and cabernet franc. Our pinot noir and pinot gris from the Melrose Vineyard are both very lush and fruity. We selected three clones of pinot noir from the Red Hill Vineyard, the highest in the Umpqua AVA. These grapes see the biggest daily temperature swings in the area and are very well structured.

Location: 345 First St, Elkton, Oregon 97436

Phone: 541-584-2870

Flying Dutchman Winery

The Flying Dutchman is Oregon`s most unique winery. Perched on a cliff high above the Pacific, our boutique winery has earned a reputation for consistently producing wines of distinction.

Location: 915 First Street Otter Rock, OR 97369

Phone: 541-765-2553

Nehalem Bay Winery

Our beautiful, historic winery is nestled in a lush, green valley on Highway 53 one mile off Highway 101 on the Northern Oregon Coast. Visitors can sit at picnic tables looking out across the dairy farms to the Coast Range and Onion Peak. Nearby boutiques, antique shops, fine dining and forested state parks in the Nehalem Bay Area round out your visit.

Location: 34965 Highway 53, Nehalem, OR 97131

Phone: 503-368-9463

Toll Free: 1-888-368-WINE