We got up this morning and headed back south on the 101 to Lincoln City; we drove through the town yesterday but we wanted to go check it out as it looked like a cool place. We headed to the south end of town first which happens to be the Taft Historic District. Taft was one of five small communities in this area that in 1965 incorporated and became Lincoln City. Like Florence, in this part of the town there are lots of galleries and little boutique (this area is known for its glass blowing), but we skipped past these and headed to the beach. We started walking along the sand but were distracted by what I first thought were people fishing but what turned out to be people crabbing. They had small triangle shaped ‘nets’ that they toss out into the water and they settle on the bottom. The people we talked to were using chicken as bait; they told us that fish does attract more crabs, but it also attracts the seals that live in the area. The seals apparently didn’t care much for chicken as they all seemed content to lounge on the sand bank of Siletz Bay while we were there. After waiting a few minutes the nets are pulled in which causes them to close and trap the crabs inside. The Dungeness crab have to be 5 ¾ inches across their shell otherwise they have to be tossed back in. The folks we talked too had caught several good sized ones, more than enough for a meal or two for them, and they were going clean them on the beach and then barbecue them over an open fire. Poor little crabs, I think they knew what was coming next for them! We didn’t see anybody clamming, but I guess a lot of that goes on here too.

Mike: I tried to get Becc some lunch but she didn't want to.

Throwing out the trap

Crabs

These seals aren't interested in the chicken

Our next stop was a little further north along the coast at the world’s shortest river, the D River. The river flows from Devils Lake, under US 101 and into the Pacific Ocean, and measures 120 feet from start to finish; it was cute, if you can describe a river as such. We crossed back over to the car and had lunch while watching people flying kites on the beach; this area is apparently one of the best for kite flying in the world – amazing!

D River

D river entering the Pacific

Lincoln City beach

We spent some more of the afternoon wandering the town checking out the beach and the houses before heading back home.