Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Living Amid Middens—Preserving the Past, Looking to the Future

Steeves presents a series of slides to demonstrate that, as one travels on Highway 101 along the Oregon coast, visual reminders of ancient lifeways can be observed in the form of piles of shells discarded during prehistoric seafood feasts. These middens or ancient Indian sites provide clues to earlier environmental conditions and adaptation to the environment by Indian peoples utilizing the abundant available resources over thousands of years.
For those of you that missed this wonderful presentation. It is now online for your enjoyment...

For more than 20 years, Steeves has been involved in research and preservation of significant archaeological sites on the central Oregon coast. A native Oregonian, she grew up at the coast and returned here to work following doctoral studies at the University of Oregon. She has had a life-long interest in Indian cultures and a passion for understanding the coastal environment. During her 36-year archaeological career, she has literally walked across the state documenting sites. With hiking boots on, she continues to enjoy exploring her back (and front) yard, as much as traveling the world.

Find out what archaeologists, working closely with tribal members and scientists, have learned about the central Oregon coast, and why preservation of these non-renewable resources is critical. Cultural sites in and near Yachats will be considered in relation to the Oregon coast archaeological record.

Editors note: Courtesy photo - Newport News Times file

Saturday, October 23, 2010

First big blow of the season enroute to the Coast.

This is a live view looking south to the Yaquina, Head Lighthouse from the Moolack Beach area (Newport, Oregon). This location is well known as a scenic place to see that provides terrific shell fossils found among the cobbles exposed by the ocean. The image refreshes approximately every seven minutes. Click your refresh/reload button to be sure you are viewing the most recent images.Now you can experience the raw beauty of  the Oregon Coast  during our value season  where you can enjoy storm watching from the comfort of one of Newport's warm and cozy beach front resorts.

"Saturday night and into Sunday, the rain will increase considerably, accompanied by Hurricane Force Winds, 60-75 mph. Such winds are fully capable of blowing people off their feet and tossing them down streets, lawns and hillsides. These winds are expected to occur from 8pm Saturday to 8am Sunday. Power outages are also common with such winds.

A heavy surf warning is also in effect for all day Sunday. The Weather Service warns that tidal flooding is possible since a higher than normal tide will co-inside with the storm surf and high winds."  This would not be a good time to be out on the beach!

Editors notes: For the rest of the story

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

½ pound Agate found today!

Congratulations to Jennifer of Federal Way, WA who dropped in to show us this beauty she just found today weighing ½ a pound. I guess the season is going to start earlier than we thought it would.

Florida Beachcomber finds 8¼ pound Agate!


Sorry I haven't had a moment to keep you updated, I have been so busy here in the showroom, lots of folks in this summer. The photo "Still Rock'n The Coast at Newport" below remained gravely until sometime the last week of September.

Beachcomber, Cliff of Florida found this large sugar agate a couple of weeks ago while vacationing here on the Oregon Coast. weighing in at a healthy 8¼ pounds and is 8½" long.
 Added: November 1, Here is the new photo showing the before it was  polished and now completed.
We are also working on two more pocket guides that I'm sure you are going to enjoy just as much. Be watching for our announcement early next year.