Backpacking Tahkenitch Dunes

For our first backpacking trip together, we headed to the coast with K+L. Most options to the east are still under snow, so the coast seemed like a good idea. We couldn't have ordered better weather, we picked the perfect weekend. Leaving Eugene a little before noon, we stopped for lunch at the Gingerbread Village where we had sandwiches, burgers, clam chowder, and salads. We'll have to remember this place as a good option between Eugene and Florence, a bit closer to Florence.

We arrived at the Tahkenitch campground in the early afternoon and set out towards Threemile Lake, going clockwise on the loop rather than counter-clockwise as recommended in the book. It was about three miles to the lake, incidentally, and we found it to be a nice hike through forested coastal land. The trail went up to a summit, then dropped down to the lake, with the ocean less than a half mile to the west.

After setting up camp, we gathered our beach toys and headed down to the beach. This part of the Oregon coast is in good shape as it doesn't see too much use, but it does allow vehicles on some parts. The wind was definitely there, and very consistent, which made for excellent kite flying conditions. The good Dr. Huck brought a couple of custom boomerangs which were left handed such that only he could throw them. We also had a frisbee that fared pretty well in the wind.

After playing at the beach, we headed back to camp to cook dinner. Both teams brought mac & cheese and added various items to the pot. K+L's freeze dried vegie snacks won the prize for best new food product, we'll have to get a pack for snacking or future camp cooking. As the light faded, we gathered firewood and started a nice little fire to roast marshmallows, melt chocolate, and make smores!

The soothing ocean waves sang us to sleep from our ridgetop camp. I think we all slept pretty well. After our morning oatmeal and cereal, we broke camp and again headed for the beach. We walked about a mile north and back, checking out shells and other bits along the way and stopped at large wave thrown logs to rest. After returning to camp, we loaded up our packs and headed back to the car.

We really didn't remember so much downhill on the way to the lake, so we were all surprised at how much of a climb it was from the lake. The extra miles on our legs made it a slow slog up to the summit, but we were soon there and then quickly down to the car. Back in Florence, a parade as part of Rhodie days was in full swing. We ate seafood lunch at Weber's fish house, and then got some fantastic ice cream and shakes at BJ's before returning to Eugene.

All told, a great weekend!