On track for fall

Adventures on the Tillamook Coast are the rail deal

Photo by Emily Lindblom

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad

With its train cars slowly rocking back and forth past views of the ocean, lakes and Tillamook Bay, a vintage diesel locomotive makes its way along the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad.

Janet and Ray Mansfield, of Boise, used to live on the coast and were visiting the area on a day in May when they decided to take the train ride between Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi.

“It’s just plain fun,” Janet said.

“I’ve never been on the train before,” Ray added. “It should have some great scenery.”

While the passengers enjoyed views of great blue herons, trees growing out of rock formations and fishermen casting lines, passersby stopped to take photos and wave in excitement as the train went by them.

Rachael Aldridge, executive director of the nonprofit Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, said the history of the railroad goes back to 1911, when what is known today as the Tillamook branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad was built. It was then purchased by the Port of Tillamook Bay, which ran it as a freight railroad until 2007.

“In 2003 our founder, Scott Wickert, and volunteers decided they wanted to build a steam railroad as a tourist attraction,” Aldridge said. “In between the freight service, they would operate the steam train and have weekend service.”

But in 2007, a big storm ended up isolating the Tillamook branch of the line so it no longer had a connection to Portland, and Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad became the only organization to use the section of track.

The operation has grown over the years to reach 34,000 riders in 2019.

“We were hit hard in 2020 just like everybody else, but we’re in the status of recovery and doing pretty well for the most part,” Aldridge said. “This year is looking like a decent season so far.”

Carla Lyman, administrative manager, said she wants customers to have an authentic train riding experience.

“We’re trying to make it as close to the experience they would have had back in the train’s heyday as we can but with 2021 customer service,” Lyman said.

The heritage railroad currently operates three engines, including a steam engine. Train rides are available year-round and for seasonal events. For more information, go to oregoncoastscenic.org.

Surf lessons

Photo by Kelly Lagula

There are many surf shops on the Oregon Coast offering surf lessons throughout the year. But beware - if you try it, you might get hooked.

“A lot of people came in and tried it once or twice and have already bought a board and are surfing almost daily,” said Corey Shields, who opened Ocean Surf Company in Oceanside in January. “We’ve already changed the lives of people who are avid surfers now.”

Shields said the beach near his shop is one of the best places to learn how to surf.

“We want to get people out in the water and experience what an amazing sport it is,” Shields said. “I know what positivity it can create in someone’s life.”

Safari Town Surf Shop has been offering surf lessons out of Lincoln City since 1989. Owner Tony Gile said he has a really good crew, including his two boys, Kevin and Kendal.

“We’ve had people take a surf lesson they got as a birthday present and they were scared but afterward they were glad they did it,” Gile said. “Some people just want to try it and others will try and get hooked.”

On calm summer days, beginner surfers can learn right at the beach in Lincoln City, but on windy days the surfers go to Otter Rock.

Deklyn Wood, surf instructor at Moment Surf Company in Pacific City, said it’s fun for him to take groups or individuals out on the water for their first time and share his passion for surfing and living on the Oregon Coast.

“Expect to be pretty stoked on what it feels like to be riding a wave and experience that power,” Wood said.

He teaches a diverse range of people of all ages and abilities.

“Whether you’ve been surfing for two months or 20 years, there are always new things to be working on,” Wood said.

Most of these surf shops offer two-hour lessons that begin on land to go over safety guidelines and the basics of surfing, before moving to the water, where many new surfers are able to stand up and catch broken waves by the end of the lesson. Many of the surf shops offer 24-hour rentals to go with the lesson so surfers can keep practicing.

All these shops recommend booking lessons in advance, and many also offer other services including kayak and boogie board rentals.

For more information, go to oceansidesurfco.com, safaritownsurf.com and momentsurfco.com.

Tillamook Creamery

Get a day full of dairy at Tillamook Creamery. Formerly known as the Tillamook Cheese Factory, the recently remodeled building houses an interpretive center where guests can watch as the cheese is made, cut into blocks and packaged, ready for them to enjoy.

Guests can also sample a variety of cheeses and learn about the history of the dairy industry in Oregon before heading to the gift shop where they can buy souvenirs like hats and stickers, and, of course, many flavors and forms of cheese.

Hungry visitors can also head to the cafeteria where they can get grilled cheese, ice cream and more.

Nan Devlin, executive director of the Tillamook Coast Visitors Association and the North Coast Food Trail, said Tillamook Creamery is a cultural treasure and embodies the story of dairy farming.

The farmer-owned cooperative started in 1909 and today has about 80 farmer-owners in the region.

Devlin also praised the creamery’s willingness to help out during the coronavirus pandemic.

“The most amazing thing was when COVID hit, they contributed $500,000 to the community,” Devlin said. “They were so generous. A lot of businesses would not have made it and a lot of people would have been hungrier without their help.”

In addition to that donation, Tillamook Creamery also gave $110,000 to restaurants impacted by shutdowns; donated $1.2-million worth of products to food security organizations, first responders and school districts; and distributed $100,000-worth of product coupons to essential workers in the community.

For more information, go to tillamook.com.