Clam Shell in Black Beach Sand

Clam Shell in Black Beach Sand, June 2003 ©Weatherstone/Ron Almberg, Jr. (2010)

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Clam Chowder and Beach Walks

Baby seal spotted at Gleneden Beach on the Oregon coast.

Life just doesn’t get any better than a long beach walk after a bowl of clam chowder consumed at Mo’s Restaurant.  There are a number of them along the Oregon coast but my favorite happens to be the one located in Lincoln City.  The creamy chowder is perfect for the cool coastal weather.  But even if it’s hot, which is a rare thing, the delicious delicate clams call out their irresistible invitation.  Simply put, it’s a must.  And it cannot be refused.

The walk along the beach requires multiple layers.  The beach hiker never knows what weather to expect.  All attempts at forecasting are futile anyway.  The weather changes as often as the mind of a pre-teen selecting a soft drink at the gas station.  A cold wind from the north or heavy bank of coastal fog can make even the nicest day inland cool on the pacific beach.  With multiple layers, a person can keep or shed as much clothing as is needed to stay comfortable.   Taking along a knapsack or day pack is very useful for this as well as holding water, sun screen, and beach towel.  Keep in mind, of course, that shedding down to the bare essentials could get one arrested as there are no nude beaches of which I am aware of on the Oregon coast.

I have had the joy of meeting all kinds of wild life on these beach excursions.  Some of the more interesting ones this past summer (2009) were a baby seal, turkey vultures, seal lions, star fish of various colors, jelly fish, pelicans as well as homo sapiens of varying sizes, shapes and colors (the bright red ones were the most interesting to watch).  Gauging a beach trip to coincide with low tide is a wonderful way to discover tidal pools and all the small animal life they contain.  One of our favorite places for this is Seal Rock Beach down by Newport, Or.

Happiness is a bowl of clam chowder and a walk on the beach.  A collection of  pieces of sea glass, shells, and agates or other pretty rocks just add surprise to the occasion and become mementos in  a jar at home that reminds of happy times.  Better yet, put them in a shallow dish on the table and come February you will discover yourself poking around in it, picking up different pieces, and remembering just where on the beach you discovered your prize.  Then you will start to think once again about clam chowder and beach walks.

© By Weatherstone/Ron Almberg, Jr. (2009)

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