$6.00. The. Book Edition. seagrant.oregonstate.edu/freechoice/oregoncoastquests.html

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1 $6.00 The Book Edition seagrant.oregonstate.edu/freechoice/oregoncoastquests.html

2 Quest is a trade name of the Valley Quest program, and is used with permission from Copies of this Oregon Coast Quest Book are available from: Cait Goodwin Coordinator, Oregon Coast Quests OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center 2030 SE Marine Science Dr. Newport, OR cait.goodwin@oregonstate.edu by Oregon State University. All rights reserved. Oregon Sea Grant Oregon State University 322 Kerr Administration Bldg seagrant.oregonstate.edu Support This publication was prepared by Oregon Sea Grant under appropriations made by the Oregon State legislature and Oregon State University. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of these funders. Sea Grant is a unique partnership with public and private sectors, combining research, education, and technology transfer for public service. This national network of universities meets the changing environmental and economic needs of people in our coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes regions. Credits Coordination: Cait Goodwin Editing and layout: Rick Cooper

3 The Book Edition seagrant.oregonstate.edu/freechoice/oregoncoastquests.html

4 Contents Overview Map...4 What Is a Quest?...6 History of Questing...6 How to Use This Book: Suggestions for Facilitators...8 Quests Crowley Creek (Otis)...12 Kirtsis Park (Lincoln City) D River Invasive Species (Lincoln City)...24 Head Start Forest Management (Lincoln City)...34 Head Start Fern (Lincoln City)...38 Taft (Lincoln City)...40 Big Creek Park (Newport)...46 Water, Water Everywhere (Newport)...51 City Center History (Newport)...56 Toledo Arcadia (Toledo)...64 HMSC Yaquina Estuary (Newport)...70 HMSC Sustainability (Newport)...76 South Beach State Park (South Beach)...80 Oregon Hatchery Research Center (Alsea)...86 YYFAP Habitats of Diversity (Yachats)...93 Stamp Pages Contact Information The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

5 1 Overview Map 1. Crowley Creek Quest (Otis) 2. Kirtsis Park Quest (Lincoln City) 3. D River Invasive Species Quest (Lincoln City) 4. Head Start Forest Management (Lincoln City) 5. Head Start Fern Quest (Lincoln City) Taft Quest (Lincoln City) 7. Big Creek Park Quest (Newport) 8. Water, Water Everywhere Quest (Newport) City Center History Quest (Newport) 10. Toledo Arcadia Quest (Toledo) HMSC Yaquina Estuary Quest (Newport) 12. HMSC Sustainability Quest (Newport) South Beach State Park Quest (South Beach) 14. Oregon Hatchery Research Center Quest (Alsea) 15. YYFAP Habitats of Diversity Quest (Yachats) 15 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 5

6 What Is a Quest? Quests are fun and educational clue-directed hunts that encourage exploration of natural areas. In this self-guided activity, Questers follow a map and find a series of clues to reach a hidden box. The box contains a small guest book, a stamp pad, a unique rubber stamp, and additional information about the Quest site. Participants sign the guest book to record their find, and make an imprint of the Quest box stamp in the back of their clue book as proof of accomplishment. Then the box is re-hidden for the next person to find. The location of the clues and box remain a secret so others can share the fun. Quest clues and boxes stay in place year-round in Lincoln County. Questing is an ideal placebased activity for individuals, small groups, and families. By turning a walk into a treasure hunt, children often race ahead of their parents instead of lagging behind. Through Quests, important areas of natural, cultural, and/or historical significance are shared. Furthermore, both those who go on Quests and those who create Quests for others gain pride and a sense of stewardship for their community s special places. History of Questing Questing was born out of a 150-year old tradition in the region surrounding Dartmoor National Park in southwest England. Letterboxing, as this tradition is called, is a popular past time, with thousands of boxes hidden in both natural and cultural locations. In Vermont, an organization called Vital Communities (www. vitalcommunities.org) built upon this tradition by developing 6 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

7 the Valley Quest program. In the early 1990s, Vital Communities was concerned about the future of the Upper Connecticut River Valley region, and was hoping to develop a program that might foster sense of place, strengthen relationships between schools and communities, and build bridges across the generations. The result was Valley Quest, with Valley referring to the place and Quest referring to a treasure hunt made by children and adults working together leading to the community s special places. Over time, the Valley Quest program has grown. More than 1,500 children, adults, families, scouts, students and historical society members have contributed to the creation of the 150+ Quests found in the Valley Quest books. Communities across the country have begun to replicate Valley Quest s success. For example, South Shore Quests (Web site: geocities.com/ddthures/ southshorequests) began creating Quests and publishing annual clue booklets for their area in Massachusetts in Today, about 1,000 people visit each of their 20 Quests every year. Oregon Sea Grant has now brought this fun and educational activity to Lincoln County, through the formation of the Oregon Coast Quests program. Sea Grant educator Cait Goodwin, a seven-year veteran of the South Shore Quests program, coordinates Oregon Coast Quests. If you would like to get involved in the Oregon Coast Quests program, see the contact information on the last page of this booklet. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 7

8 How to Use This Book: Suggestions for Facilitators Educational Goals Find out more about a special place in the community Practice following directions Gain experience reading maps Take notice of your surroundings Have fun! Specific Quests may have additional goals such as exploring a community issue, using math to solve puzzles, gaining practical experience with tree identification, etc. Is This a Treasure Hunt? The real treasure of a Quest is finding out something interesting about your community. Questers young and old are intrinsically motivated to find hidden clues and a Quest box because it gives them a sense of accomplishment by completing a task and knowing a secret. Additionally, the box contains a unique hand-carved stamp that can be used to mark their book and (if desired) decorate the back of their hand. Groups Questing is best done in small groups so that everyone has a chance to find a clue. If you have a large group, consider breaking the participants into smaller groups and staggering their departure times. Remind participants to collect clues with stealth so everyone can share in the fun of the find. Furthermore, vandalism 8 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

9 of the clues and box by people unfamiliar with Questing is less likely to occur if you are restrained when peering behind rocks and under bushes. Following Directions We recommend having the readers in the group take turns reading the directions out loud. Stop and think about the directions after two to four lines to make sure you haven t missed anything. Occasionally reading a little bit ahead or backing up a few lines may help clarify the directions and help you know if you are in the right place. Consult the map often during your Quest. Directions in the text such as head north are usually accompanied by additional information such as toward the gate so you can get your bearings without having to carry a compass. Mistakes Making a few mistakes is part of Questing. The trick is to catch your mistake early to avoid compounding the problem. A facilitator may notice young Questers heading off on the wrong path. See what happens when you let them make the mistake. They may figure it out alone, or you may need to help them realize a mistake has been made. Try re-reading the directions to let the Questers figure out how to make corrections. Although we do our best to avoid it, clues sometimes go missing due to seasonal changes or vandalism. If you can t find one clue that you are sure should be there, you can skip it and still likely find the box without a problem. If you feel there are two possibilities for a clue answer, make a note of both and then at the end you can decide which one fits best. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 9

10 Report feedback or problems in the log book and/or to the box monitor. Taking Notice Many Quests have verses that have nothing to do with clues, but encourage participants to take notice of something in their surroundings. Don t skip these parts! Often these sideexplorations are the biggest treasure of all. Some Quests are clue-intensive; there may be many clues to find, or the Quest keeps participants busy looking for clues for the entire walk. Be sure to take some time to notice your surroundings when you are on a Quest. For example, when you sit on a bench, put the directions and pencils away and take a few minutes to look for birds. Other Quests end in the middle of a walk and you have to hike back to your starting point. Without the distraction of clues, the return hike is an excellent opportunity to make further observations and explorations of your surroundings. 10 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

11 Oregon Coast Quests Code Dress for the weather. Allow for plenty of time. Follow the rules of the park. Respect wildlife, plants, and trees. Keep to established paths. Use caution: At the beach, on steep or slippery slopes, when crossing streets, when reaching into stumps, etc. There is no need to dig; boxes are never buried underground. Keep the location of the box a secret from others. Carefully re-hide the box where you found it. Look, listen, and learn from your environment. Bring a bag to pick up garbage. DISCLAIMER: ALL PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN A QUEST DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK. As always when walking in the outdoors and in unfamiliar places, please be careful and aware of your surroundings. Children should not do Quests without an adult. Oregon Coast Quests and its Quest Partners do not knowingly place clues or boxes in hazardous areas. However, Oregon Coast Quests cannot guarantee the conditions of the trails. Moreover, conditions may change, so Questers must consider the current conditions as well as their own abilities and limitations at all times. Oregon Sea Grant, Oregon Coast Quests, and our Quest Partners assume no responsibility for events that may occur during a Quest. Are you ready? Let s go on a! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 11

12 Use this map to help you solve the following Quest! 12 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

13 Crowley Creek Quest Established: 2007 by Corrina Chase and a Career Tech High School summer work crew Box Monitor: The Sitka Center for Art and Ecology Quest Partners Salmon Drift Creek Watershed Council Community Services Consortium Mid-Coast Watershed Council and Career Tech High School The Crowley Creek Quest begins at Knight Park near Cascade Head, north of Lincoln City. From Hwy 101, turn west on Three Rocks Road, just north of the Salmon River (near mile marker 104). Travel two miles, and then take the left fork to Knight Park. This Quest will teach you about the ecology and history of a variety of habitats near Knight Park and the scenic Salmon River estuary. The Quest usually takes around 60 minutes to complete. You will have the opportunity to take the longer hike up to the beautiful views on Cascade Head at the end of the trail. Dogs are not allowed on the Cascade Head trail, which is an additional one- to two-hour moderate hike. Expect to see wildlife, especially in early morning or late evening. The location includes land owned by Lincoln County Parks, ODFW, and a private landowner who has granted permission for the trail. The McKee property is subject to an educational easement held by the Sitka Center for Arts and Ecology, which now maintains the Quest trail, and a conservation easement held by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Salmon Drift Creek Watershed Council (SDCWC) works in partnership with the The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 13

14 Mid-Coast Watershed Council, Lincoln Soil and Water District, and other organizations on various restoration projects in this area, including the riparian planting at Crowley Creek on the McKee property. The coordinator of SDCWC, Corrina Chase, and several Career Tech High School students wrote and installed this Quest trail. Follow the directions and collect the letter clues to fill the numbered squares on page 16. Enjoy! Welcome to Crowley Creek! Ready to start? Begin your hunt in Knight Park. Before you park and before your tea, your first clue-letter comes after a gee! (clue 1) The park is built on a former mudflat. Once it was a favorite clamming bed, at both high and low tides a rich habitat. Asphalt condemned; it now is dead. Pinus contorta is a funny name, sorta for the poor, scraggly, pitchy shore pines. There are two rocks and one clue at the end of two strangely straight lines (clue 3). Saltmarsh with dodder and Follow the pines north to the end of the dike. pickleweed Look closely at the alder at the end of your hike. Its bark is white, or so you might think without encrusting lichens, it could easily be pink (clue 6). Rumex is often called dock; some are native and some are weeds. Explore its namesake back to the south and a clue you will read (clue 2). A set of regulatory signs are posted nearby. Read about some harmful species to spot: mitten crab, hydrilla, the New Zealand mudsnail. Have you seen any? Hopefully not! Back through the lot and across a little bridge; don t let this interesting hiding place stump you. Question the origin of crustacean encrustation that graces the roots around the next clue (clue 4). Gumweed 14 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

15 Go further, and at the road turn right. What creatures live in Crowley Creek? On the bridge, sharpen your sight. Critters and a clue your eyes should seek (clue 5). One furry fellow, flat-tailed and brown, who lives just downstream and comes out at dark, has slowed the water with alders it chewed down. Look for trunks with beaver s toothy mark. The osprey and the cougar can hunt in this meadow. Look behind a sign on an old wooden rail. Elk are common here, you might already know; look at your map to find their trail. The foundation of an old dairy shed gives you a clue to learn how some folks once farmed this land. Here is a glimpse into history and a letter for you. Now trees have been planted and restoration is planned (clue 7). Ready for a hike? Let s take the Conservancy trail going north toward Sitka and Cascade Head. Across a long, crooked ramp with a sturdy plastic rail, stop at the next bridge over which you tread. Many ferns you can see from here; I see at least four. Can you find them all? Sword, licorice, lady, and deer. Now look for a clue like you re not very tall (clue 8). Continue up the trail to the top of the hill. Sitka Center is to the right have you been there? Art and ecology and classes mix quite well. It s worth checking out, and now you know where. The path crosses the road and goes just a little further down. You re almost to your hidden gold So smile don t frown! Drawing by Career Tech student Christina Dirk The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 15

16 Stop at the trailhead; you are very near. Read the clue you have written, and Cascade over Nature should make it quite clear Stamp page 102 of this book to record your find! 16 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

17 Kirtsis Park Quest Established: 2008 by Ivan Mangum, Lincoln City Parks & Recreation Box Monitor: Lincoln City Parks & Recreation Driving directions to the Quest location: Northbound on 101: Turn right at NE 22 nd St., then right on NE Oar Place. Southbound on 101: Turn left at NE 22 nd St., then right on NE Oar Place. Begin your Quest outside the entrance to the Lincoln Community Center. Follow the directions and collect the letter clues to fill the numbered squares on page 23. The Quest will take you on a tour of Kirtsis Park, which includes the Community Center, baseball/softball fields, and a skate park. It will take about 45 minutes to complete your journey, and the terrain is paved most of the way. Important note: The Community Center must be open for you to complete the Quest. Call to find out the hours of operation. (Disclaimer: all photos were taken in March They may vary in appearance at different times of the year.) Now let s begin. 1. Start at the eight-legged creature with a ball. Head east to the tree surrounded by bushes. When you get to the location, answer the following question: Can you name the tree and the bushes in its close proximity? Give it a guess before you read on. On the next page is a list of the bushes and the tree. To begin your search of the clues: Find the bush on the right edge of the picture at the top of the next page. Use the eighth letter of the bush s name. Place that letter in square #4. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 17

18 Mugo pine, autolocan laurels, rhododendron, and the blossoming apple tree. 2. Head north to visit with a man on a horse. As you walk there, pay attention to all the mugo pines and rhododendrons of different sizes. Now, Who is that man? Why is he featured here? Find the sculptress name while you read the history of the sculpture. Using the names and the pictures, can you identify most of the plants around the sculpture? Wax Myrtle Hydrangea Rhododendron Butterfly Bush Heather Escallonia Now take the fourth letter of the sculptress last name and place that in square #5. 18 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

19 3. Not far away, balls and strikes are called. Watch out for cars as you cross the street. Notice the tall trees by the building. What are they? Look at the needles. It is a cedar or hemlock. Some say one and some say the other. So you decide for yourself on this one. According to the needles, it should be a hemlock. Now have a seat on the bleachers, behind what people call home plate. From that spot, how many lights can you see? It s not just the poles that I mean. Now look under the top of where you sit and find the letter that goes in square #1. 4. If someone hit a home run over the left center field fence, it would put you where? Now go there, by traveling to the left. An additional clue, in case you know nothing about this sport, is that there are three outfielders: left field, center field, and right field. These are determined by standing where you are now. I hope this helps in determining where left center field is. Now notice the mugo pines, pampas grass, and birch trees as you go. You will travel past the bathrooms as well. Look low at where you would see who is winning the game. Put the letter that you find in square #9. 5. Now go across the parking to where people ride on four wheels. You will find the cradle, the pool, and the newly expanded bowl. Do you see the sign telling you what people cannot ride here? In the late 1990s, this place was listed as one of the gnarliest places around in Thrasher Magazine. Now go to the tallest tree by the bowl and road. Now look up. What do you see? How do you think it got there? Now look at the base of the tree. What kind of plant is there? Escallonia surrounds it. Could it be salal? Use the first letter of that plant in square #8. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 19

20 6. Now, back near the building where this Quest began is a shelter that is used to catch the bus. Once you get there, answer the following: What is the name of the route that runs through Lincoln City? It is the called The LINC. Now Look through the back windows of the shelter. What trees do you see? There are three kinds. They are Japanese black pine, birch, and coast pine (see photos at top of next page). How can you tell the difference between the two pines? The Japanese Black Pine has longer needles. Now find the largest of the trees here. What is growing on the tree that is not natural for the tree? Why? It actually grows on a lot of trees in Oregon. Pause to figure this out before you read on. Use the second letter of that growth in square #3. That growth is MOSS. 20 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

21 Japanese black pine Birch Coast pine 7. Continue around the building, traveling to the left. Sit at the first of the three places to partake of a meal. Around the end of the building that houses the pool are plants. Can you name them? Now between you and the road are some plants. What are those? Escallonia Pampas grass Using the plant behind the fence, take the eighth letter and place it in square #2. 8. Continue to the left, around the building. Go to the black gate that you can see. Can you see that round bowl at the other side? It catches the rain that runs off the roof and into the ground and becomes groundwater again. Now look north at the building; what do you see in those glass rooms? The upstairs is the cardio room and the downstairs is the weight room. Use the fourth letter of the upstairs area s name and place it in square 6. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 21

22 9. Continue to go left around the building. As you follow the sidewalk, notice the plants that you will pass. They are: Blue fescue, crypto mira japonica, and zebra grass. Also, as you are walking down the sidewalk, look into the windows on the right. What are people doing right now? Or what do you see? Ponder this as you walk to the corner of the sidewalk you are on. There is a large tree there. It is a Douglasfir. Who dedicated this tree to Lorance Edd Osborne? What vowel is used the most in the organization s name? Place it in square # As you walk to the final location, notice the plants. Can you name them? Also, there are a couple of new ones: climbing hydrangea and bamboo. 22 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

23 Stamp page 102 of this book to record your find! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 23

24 Use this map of Devils Lake in Lincoln City and the closeup map of the D River area on the next page to help you solve the following Quest! 24 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

25 Close-up map Quest Partners Devils Lake Water Improvement District The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 25

26 D River Invasive Species Quest Established: 2008 by Cait Goodwin Box Monitor: Jon Moll, Devils Lake State Park Begin your Quest at the parking lot of the D River City Park, located off NE 1st Street in Lincoln City, on the north bank of the D River channel, east of Hwy 101. Follow the directions and collect the letter clues to fill the numbered squares on page 33. The Quest will take about 45 minutes to complete, and the route covers both City Park and State Park lands. Dress for wading, if desired. There are lots of neat fishing spots and even a boat access point to discover. Consider bringing a canoe or kayak with you so you can check out the rest of Devils Lake by boat after you finish the Quest! As you explore the parks, the Quest will help you recognize some of the nonnative species that live here, and the various impacts that have resulted from their introductions. Hidden in the Quest are tips about what you can do to curb the spread of invasive species. This Quest was created with support from the Nab the Invader Aquatic Invasive Species grant, National and Oregon Sea Grant, and NOAA. It complements the statewide Stop the Invasion campaign. Oregon Sea Grant recently published On the Lookout for Aquatic Invaders: An Identification Guide for the Pacific Northwest, which you can order by calling or ing sea.grant.communications@oregonstate.edu. Here lies the World s Shortest ; it s D River s proud claim. Between Devils Lake and the sea is where we ll start our game. Humans use this space to live and work and play. We swim, hike, picnic, boat, and fish here Hooray! Question for the Curious: How short is the D River? The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! 26 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

27 Human impacts can sometimes change species distribution. We can cause a lot of problems but we re also part of the solution. On this Quest, you ll find animals and plants aquatic. Some species are native, while others are exotic. Native (or indigenous) species are organisms that are naturally found in ecosystems. Nonnative (or exotic, or alien, or naturalized) species are organisms that have been introduced to ecosystems from other places, often by human activity. Invasive species are nonnative organisms that cause significant negative impacts in the habitats into which they have been introduced, usually by outcompeting native organisms for resources. Not all nonnative species are invasive. Some of the alien species cause scientists much concern. They are aquatic invasive species; about them there is much to learn. These unwanted invaders outside their natural range take over habitats from natives and may cause damaging change. First find the sign that announces the name of this open space. Put the first blue letter of the name in the clue number 1 place. Now venture to the water s edge and take a look around. Signs of invasive species, with skill, may be found. For example, there s the Asian clam. It s smaller than a plum. It competes with native mussels. In these waters can you find some? Count any bivalve shells you see in the water or on the shore. Among natives and the invaders, which shells number more? The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 27

28 The freshwater Asian clam (Corbicula flumenea) was deliberately introduced to the U.S. in the 1930s as a food item. Today the species occupies 38 states and is a notorious biofouler of power-plant pipes and irrigation canals. The Asian clam can alter benthic substrates and compete with native mussels for food (phytoplankton) and space. Asian clams typically measure 2 3 cm in length, but can reach sizes of 5 cm. In Devils Lake, Asian clams are much smaller than the native mussels. ( er.usgs.gov/corbicula4.pdf) Another invasive species is small in size, but it numbers many. The New Zealand mudsnail thrives where once there were not any. The New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrugs antipodarum) was first found in North America in the late 1980s and has since spread throughout the western U.S. They can form dense aggregations (400,000 snails per square meter) and may have serious negative impacts on native flora and fauna. Because they are so small (<5 mm) and they can survive out of water for weeks, they can easily hitchhike to new areas. Once New Zealand mudsnails have colonized, they are difficult if not impossible to eradicate. Therefore, preventing their spread to new areas is of utmost importance. ( seagrant.oregonstate.edu/ sgpubs/onlinepubs/g06006_ highres.pdf) These tiny snails can be found under objects where they can hide. But be careful to rinse your shoes, or the mudsnails might hitch a ride! New Zealand mudsnail photos by Jane and Michael Liu. In fact, this snail may have come to these shores in the tread of a boot. They multiplied quickly and spread, taking over, despite being minute. 28 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

29 Of the types of footwear shown here, which would be the best to wear to avoid spreading mud snails further? Put the clue in the number 2 square. Rinse and scrub your aquatic footwear before you leave this location! Which shoe is least likely to trap and spread New Zealand mud snails to other areas? Right by a big gnarly stump, many native coho once ran. Their numbers dwindled soon after nonnative fish stocking began. Beginning back in the 30s, bass were introduced. Then perch, crappie, catfish, and trout gave sport fishing a boost. Today, Devils Lake is stocked with 20,000 rainbow trout annually by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. A valid Oregon state fishing license is required for persons age 14 and older to fish at Devils Lake. But some native coho still spawn in a Devils Lake tributary. check your map for that creek s first letter and place it in square number 3. A sign near the bridge tells us more of another nonnative brought here. Again, this one was deliberate and the reasoning was quite clear. For not long ago, Devils Lake was choked with aquatic weeds. Invasive milfoil and elodea cut down on boating speeds. What sustained the weeds? (along with the sun, it s true). The first letter of the answer is also your number 4 clue. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 29

30 Non-Indigenous Food Chain NUTRIENTS from human activities Used by Aquatic Weeds Invasive species Elodea and Milfoil Eaten by Asian Grass Carp Exotic species Solution? Bring in an exotic; a grass carp for biocontrol. They ate up the invasive weeds, thus accomplishing the goal. Mail-order frogs, fish, and turtles can be fun at home or in class. But please don t leave nonnatives here; they could take over en masse. The introduction of Asian grass carp drastically reduced the populations of native and non-native aquatic vegetation. Unfortunately, the nutrients that were once used by vegetation now sustain blooms of cyanobacteria in the summertime. The carp are sterile, so they cannot reproduce here in Devils Lake. From which continent did the carp hail originally? The third letter of your answer fits in square 5 perfectly. Now sit at the picnic tables and ponder this next thought: if you don t plan to eat what you ve hooked, don t release elsewhere what you ve caught! Another way invaders can reach this place, you see, is when people release their pets thinking they re setting them free. Check the tables before you leave for clue 6. To find it, get low. Then head to a stand of trees surrounded by where cars go. Are there signs of invaders here? English ivy may try to climb trees. Land managers pull, dig, and whack to bring these plants to their knees. Follow 1st Street to the east and enter an Oregon State Park. Here, look over the bridge. How high is today s water mark? Venture onto the boardwalk stretching out over land that is wet. To the biodiversity here invasives could pose a threat. Native skunk cabbage, willow, and sedges inhabit this natural poor-fen.* Having evolved together, they re able to respond to threats from within. *A poor-fen is a type of natural wetland habitat characterized by few nutrients and somewhat acidic water. Plant communities in this habitat tend to be dense and low to the ground. 30 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

31 Invasive Plants to Look for: English ivy destroys trees and spreads rapidly. New methods of eradication include cutting a lifesaving ring, which involves clipping the vines around a tree trunk to leave about a one-foot gap, or ring. Severed from their roots, the vines wither and die. Yellow flag iris escaped from gardens and now competes with native plants. The seeds float and can easily colonize new habitats. Purple loosestrife escaped from gardens and quickly turns diverse areas into monocultures. In the past, residents have gathered together to manually pull this species out of Devils Lake. Reed canarygrass dominates the shoreline here and in many other wet habitats in Oregon. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 31

32 But an intruder brought here from afar may gain the upper hand. Novel traits or lack of enemies could allow its range to expand. Pause at the upright railing and enjoy this natural place. Then search here for a letter that goes in the clue 7 space. Since this path dead-ends at a campground, turn around and go back to the lot. Don t cross back over the little bridge, though, as we re not done exploring this spot. Check out the neat big logs that jam the waterway. From where did these logs come, and how long do you think they ll stay? Near the primitive boat launch, find a map of Devils Lake and D River. Point to where you are standing now. Of the lake, you ve just seen a sliver. Question for the Curious: What species has caused the most significant changes to Devils Lake? Remove Inspect - Drain Dispose Clean, a sign advises. This will keep invasive species from causing more surprises. To protect Oregon s habitats from invasive species, take note: be aware of the issue, and rinse your shoes and boat! One of three mug shots features an invader that s already here. Take its fifth letter for clue 8 and your message will be clear. Now that you have all the clues, the letters together make sense. Go now and find the Quest Box (hint: it s close to a fence). Many thanks to all who contributed materials, feedback, and advice on this Quest, including Dr. Samuel Chan from Oregon Sea Grant and Paul Robertson of the Devils Lake Water Improvement District. The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! 32 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

33 Stamp page 102 of this book to record your find! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 33

34 Use this map of the Head Start Family Forest to help you solve the following two Quests! Quest Partners Community Services Consortium Career Tech High School CSC Head Start Lincoln County 4-H Mid-Coast Watershed Council 34 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

35 Head Start Forest Management Quest Established: May 2007 by Jackie Ivy, Brian Butts, and Cait Goodwin Box Monitor: CSC Head Start The Head Start Learning Forest is located behind the Lincoln City Head Start building at 2130 SE Lee Ave. in Lincoln City. From Hwy 101, turn east on SW 19th St., then right on SE Lee St. to its end. The Head Start building is on the left. Work crews from Career Tech High School began building the trail in 2004 through the Head Start Family Forest Project. This Quest was also created with the help of Career Tech students. This Quest is a short walk on uneven surfaces. Follow the directions and collect the clues to fill the numbered squares on page 37. At the end of your journey, the word will lead you to the hidden Quest Box. When you find the box, please sign the log book and let us know what you thought of this Quest. Stamp your page as proof of accomplishment, and then put the box back in its hiding place for the next person to find. Enjoy! Welcome to the forest! We ll see on this survey which factors made these woods what they are today. This place has gone through changes. One recent change you ll see are the trails that get you under the forest canopy. Career Tech students built these trails for you and me. They gained a firsthand knowledge of forest ecology. Follow stepping stones, and at the second frog veer off to the left to a railing made of log. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 35

36 Search on the railing for a clue we painted there. Write the letter that you find in the number 1 square. Check out the view of the forest edge zone. In the open sunny spots, clump grasses have grown. Head Start kids helped plant native trees and vegetation. Their efforts caused this place to undergo a transformation. The trees near the rail, shore pine and Douglas-fir, though native, on the rest of this Quest they ll not occur. Proceed to the benches. Sit down and rest a spell. Find cones at your feet and use them to tell which species dominate the woods that lie ahead. Also check the branches that trees above have shed. The cone from Sitka spruce is the length of your nose. The spruce cone is soft, but the needles don t grab those! Ahead on the trail, see the trees perched on top of nurse logs to your left. A tree s uses never stop. For when trees fall down here, new saplings take hold. They set down roots and live on logs rotting and old. A pachyderm-like root drapes a nurse stump ahead. Under the two trunks lies your 2nd clue, it s said. The big stumps came from trees logged just 50 years ago. Since then the trees now standing have had a chance to grow. To the right of the trail, hemlocks crowd together. They can grow in shade and they sway in windy weather. Before this trail was built, the woods were darker still. But a horse logger came and removed some trees with skill. The horse trod lightly through the woods to do this chore. It improved the forest s health and let sunlight reach the floor. The cone from western hemlock is a tiny little thing with needles short and flat. In these woods this tree is king. 36 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

37 Small trees, dead trees, suppressed and defective, were the ones taken away to complete the objective. Go down to the red alder with leaves up and down. Since the sunlight came through, there s been growth all around. Head up the left trail to an observation deck. To find clue number 3, get down low and check. Salamanders have been found near this deck. Check the moist places before you resume your trek. On the left, a woody sculpture has been left for you. These pointy tree pieces will help you find a clue. The namesake of this piece had a scary snake hairdo. Recall your Greek myths quick; her initial is your 4th clue. Go left and find two benches arranged in a V. You can find clue 5 on one if you look carefully. With your hint complete, find an owl in a tree. Go 20 steps beyond it; the box waits patiently. Continue on the trail as it winds around and down. Pass the two benches and find a subtle crown Stamp page 102 of this book to record your find! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 37

38 Head Start Fern Quest Established: April 2007 by Jackie Ivy and Cait Goodwin Box Monitor: CSC Head Start The Head Start Learning Forest is located behind the Lincoln City Head Start building at 2130 SE Lee Ave. in Lincoln City. From Hwy 101, turn east on SW 19th St., then right on SE Lee St. to its end. The Head Start building is on the left. Work crews from Career Tech High School began building the trail in 2004 through the Head Start Family Forest Project. This Quest was also created with the help of a Career Tech student. This Quest was designed for very young children such as those who would be in the Head Start Program. It s a short walk over uneven surfaces. Follow the directions and collect the clues to fill the numbered squares on page 39. At the end of your journey, the word will lead you to the hidden Quest Box. When you find the box, please sign the log book and let us know what you thought of this Quest. Stamp your page as proof of accomplishment, and then put the box back in its hiding place for the next person to find. Enjoy! For fern-sized folk this Quest is just right. To find the clues, use your sense of sight. Start your Quest in the circle parking lot. Count five stepping stones. Stand on the frog spot. Walk down to the owl stone; what do you see? A little bear face is up in a tree! Look at the bottom of the tree. A clue hides there. Put the letter that you find in the number 1 square. Take the trail to fern gully; it s on the right. Ferns like it here in the dim forest light. Swordfern is the largest. Each leaf has a thumb. Do they look like little swords? Take a close look at some. 38 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

39 Stay where you sit. Look all around. Somewhere in the tunnel clue 6 can be found! Look for a fairy stump; it s big, soft, and green. In a log nearby, clue 2 can be seen. Head to the right and look once more. A good sitting log holds clues 3 and 4. Turn back around and walk under a leaning tree. After 15 steps, clue 5 is near roots that you can see. What happened to this tree? Take a look around. Can you see why the tree didn t land on the ground? Go find a tunnel; hide quietly inside. Look in the trees for birds flying by. Keep going down the trail and look very low for fungus on the logs; on dead wood they grow. You are nearly ready to end your trip. Find the owl perched above two places to sit. At the first sitting place, find your number 7 clue. And at the second sitting place, find the 8h one, too. Read the letters all together and see what they say. The spot you re looking for isn t very far away! Stamp page 103 of this book to record your find! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 39

40 Use this map of Taft High School 7 12 to help you solve the following Quest! Quest Partners Mid-Coast Watershed Council Lincoln County 4-H Taft High School 40 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

41 Taft Quest Established: 2008 by Taryn and Jordan, with help from Cait Goodwin and Noah Box Monitor: Joel Riverman, Taft High School 7 12 Taft High School is located at 3780 Spyglass Ridge Drive in Lincoln City. From Hwy 101, turn east on SE High School Dr. (approximately SE 37th). Turn left on SE Spyglass Dr. and then right to the main school entrance. This Quest was created by two students who participate in the Nature Detectives series led by OSU Extension Agent Cindy George in the 21 st Century After School Program at Taft High School. The Mid-Coast Watershed Council provided funding for the creation of this Quest. It takes about 45 minutes to complete and travels over flat, uneven terrain. Follow the directions OSU Extension Agent Cindy George and collect the letter clues to fill the numbered squares on page 45. When you find the box, sign the book and take an imprint of the stamp to prove that you made it! Hi, I am Taryn. I go to Taft High School and the 21st Century After School Program. I am in 7th grade and think the after school program is awesome. Jordan and I made this Quest because we wanted to let people know why the Taft High School grounds is unique and special to us. My name is Jordan. I go to Taft 7 12 and I did this to teach people about my school grounds. This Quest is rocking! Good luck! Start in the parking lot and look up at the big black letters on the building. Take the most common letter you see and write it in clue square number 1. At the west end entrance of the lot, there is a rock that sticks up out of the ground. What is carved into the rock? Who do you think put it here and why? The bushes near the rock form a message. Can you tell what it says? We re not sure, either! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 41

42 What noises can you hear from this spot? Can you hear the ocean? Cars and busses? Students? Sports teams practicing or playing on the field behind you? When we were building this Quest in March, the loudest noise we heard was the frogs croaking their mating calls in the nearby fenced-in wetland! From the rock, look for a red octagonal sign and walk toward it. Take the first letter on this sign for clue number 2. On the strip next to the sign is a row of trees. These are shore pines, which are native to the coast. Shore pines have two needles in each bundle (look for yourself!), cones, and they grow near the shore. One of the trees is leaning over quite a bit, and its roots are exposed. Check out the bumpy lump on one of the leaning tree s lower limbs. What do you think caused this lump? We use a field guide to ID plants. Keep walking toward the field. What animals can you find here? This field habitat is used by robins, crows, ladybugs, and much more. You can find clue number 3 on the metal grate in the field. Why is this grate here? Is there water inside? Where is the water in this grate going to end up? Consult your map and find the field s south and east fences. You can see that there is a tall conifer forest behind the eastern fence. On the other hand, the area behind the south fence has been changed by recent development. The few tall trees that remained after the clear cut were blown down by winter winds, since they didn t have the protection from neighboring trees. We want to help restore the hillside just behind the fence so that native shore pines, hemlock, Sitka spruce, and red alders can grow here, not invasive Scotch broom. Go to the place indicated by the star on the map. Search here on something upright for clue number The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

43 Now turn to your right, or in this case to the west. See the mini forest? Isn t it cool? In the shade here, ferns and mosses can grow. Walk along the edge by the salal, and look for a clear space where there once was a low fence. A big stump sits behind it. What are the trees here standing on top of? Jump up and down on the spongy ground. It s sort of hard to see, but these trees are growing on nurse logs! What is a nurse log? It s a fallen down tree that is decaying and now provides fertilizer for new trees that grow on top of it. We like to pick up cones and fallen branches in this wooded clearing and try to figure out which trees they fell from. How many different kinds of cones and needles can you find? Turn back toward the school and follow the fence north along the low spot. On the inside of the fence is a wetland. Look through the fence... can you see water? The plants and animals that live here like it wet. Alder trees grow just inside the fence, and their leafy branches hang out over the edge where you can look at them closely. Find the small conifer tree that is woven into the chain-link fence. How do you think this happened? What is the common name of this tree? Put the fourth letter of the first word in its name into square number 5. On April 24, 2007, when Nature Detectives were exploring this area, we found a bird sitting on a nest right here in the grass. At first, we didn t know what kind of bird it was or whether it was normal for it to nest on the ground like this, but then we did some research. We found out the bird is called a killdeer and it lays eggs anywhere that looks comfortable even in the middle of a gravel road! So Killdeer nesting in the Taft High School field the students decided to protect her by marking her nesting area, and we contacted the school maintenance crew to ask them to avoid mowing the area. Around May 17, 2007, three baby killdeer were born. From the day killdeer are born, they get up and run around on their long legs. Walk up to the two flagpoles next to the school building. Look over the reddish metal fence... what do you see? It s a wetland home for frogs and birds! We also often find a lot of litter in this wetland. Isn t that sad? If you had garbage in your hand right now, where would YOU put it? Search in that place for clue number 6. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 43

44 Keep walking along the reddish metal fence. At the pointy windows, look down into the wetland and find an important sign. Take the second letter of the fifth word for clues number 7 AND 8. You might see some iron bacteria down in the wetland. It looks like red-colored slime in the water. It looks gross and sometimes smells bad, and we were worried that it might be harmful. This is what we found: Iron bacteria... do not cause disease; therefore, there are no water quality standards established for these organisms. Iron bacteria can be found almost anywhere in the surface environment. They can be found in lakes, streams, wetlands, and soil. The original source of iron bacteria is not known. Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment Fact Sheet, Stillwater, MN Iron bacteria are small living organisms that naturally occur in soil, shallow groundwater, and surface waters. These nuisance bacteria combine iron (or manganese) and oxygen to form deposits of rust, bacterial cells, and a slimy material that sticks the bacteria to well pipes, pumps, and plumbing fixtures. The bacteria are not known to cause disease, but can cause undesirable stains, tastes and odors; affect the amount of water the well will produce; and create conditions where other undesirable organisms may grow. The willow trees in the wetland don t mind getting their roots wet, so some of them are growing right out of the water. Other trees like the shore pine, hemlock, spruce, cedar and alder grow on land that is a little bit more high and dry. We have seen woodpeckers on dead snags here. The green tree frogs make a Taft High School wetland lot of noise in the spring, but they can be hard to see. What plants and animals do you see? Turn around and look at the school building. What is it made of? The first letter of your answer is clue number The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

45 Now walk all the way to the end of the metal fence. Your message is now complete, so use it to find the hidden box. Thanks for exploring our school grounds and learning about the many plants and animals that live here. Be sure to put everything back in the box and return it to its hiding spot. And please keep the location of the clues and box a secret, so everyone can join in the fun! Stamp page 103 of this book to record your find! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 45

46 Use this map of Big Creek Park to help you solve the following Quest! Quest Partner Newport Department of Parks and Recreation 46 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

47 Big Creek Park Quest Established: 2006 by Cait Goodwin Box Monitor: Cait Goodwin Big Creek Park is located in Newport. From Highway 101, turn east on NE 32nd street. Turn right at the first stop sign. At the T, turn right onto Big Creek Road. Immediately after crossing the bridge, turn left into the parking lot of Big Creek Park. Follow the directions to collect the clues in the park. Write the letters you find in the numbered boxes on page 50. The words you spell will direct you to the location of the hidden Quest Box. Please sign and leave your comments in the log book, stamp your sheet (or the back of your hand) as proof of your accomplishment, and read the answers to the Questions for the Curious. Don t forget to replace all contents back into the box, seal it tightly, and re-hide the box exactly where you found it. Keep the location of the box a secret! This Quest will lead you on a tour of three creeks. It will take half an hour not months, days, or weeks. Begin your journey at the park s entrance sign. Under a large spruce two rivers you ll find. Big Creek is to your right, On the left is Jeffries Creek. They flow under a bridge toward the ocean they seek. Question for the Curious: Where along the coast do these waters meet the ocean? The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 47

48 Big Creek seems quite modest, yet this park bears its name! Let s find out why it s special as we continue our game. Look back past the sign. See a place for horseshoes. On the north-facing bench find the first of your clues. Search the bench carefully for a mark painted there. Write the letter you find in the number 1 square. Now follow Big Creek in an upstream direction. Near the fence you will see the creek comes from two sections. But NOTICE the sign that halts our travels. We can t see from here how the story unravels. The sign itself, though, is helpful to you. The first letter on it is clue number 2. And I ll tell you what lies upstream on this course. It s a dam, and a reservoir. Newport s water source! For Big Creek supplies us with water to drink. Think of that the next time you turn the tap at your sink. Question for the Curious: How much water goes through this water treatment plant every day? The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! Leave Big Creek behind and walk by the fence. See the water treatment plant which provides a good defense from microorganisms, silt and chemicals, too. The cleaner the water going in, the easier its job is to do. Keep following the fence until you find another creek. A bridge will help you across; it has the 3rd clue you seek. This is Anderson Creek. It also leads to the sea. Follow it downstream, across to a big tree. At an uncontrolled fire, find what could be of use. Put its base color s fifth letter in square 4 of your clues. 48 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

49 The big playground has a clue for you to find. Clue 5 is where adults rest their weary behinds. Three blue bumps point you away from playground fun and toward another crossing of the creek Anderson. As you cross, do so at a leisurely pace. The last letter of Paul s last name goes in the number 6 space. Anderson Creek is joined by Jeffries Creek here. Which way is the water flowing? Drop a leaf if it s not clear. Upstream on Jeffries Creek a log blocks the trail. Search low here for clue 7, then tuck it back without fail. Cross back to a place where large picnics stay dry. On one of the upright posts Clue 8 you will spy. Question for the Curious: Behind what Newport Parks and Recreation facility does Jeffries Creek pass on its way to Big Creek Park? The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! See a chain-link fence with a street lamp inside. On the creek side of the fence is where clue 9 will hide. And the creek, it rolls on (just call it Jeffries here); with care, follow it past the cars parked quite near. The creek crosses the drive via culvert; it surges. So too should you cross to find where it emerges. You re back where you started under the tree, watching the water head out toward the sea. With success, the three creeks made it through this nice park, and maybe their waters will reach ocean by dark. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 49

50 Your journey, too, is nearing its end. The sign s last letter is your final clue 10. The message you ve spelled will show you the way to the nearby Quest Box; you ve found it! Hooray! Stamp page 103 of this book to record your find! 50 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

51 Use this map to help you solve the following Quest! Map courtesy of The City of Newport. EVERYWHERE QUEST N Feet JEFFRIES CREEK NEWPORT POOL Quest Partners N Feet Mid-Coast Watershed Council Newport Middle School Lincoln County 4-H The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 51

52 Water, Water Everywhere Quest Established: May 2007 by students attending the 21st Century Afterschool Program at Newport Middle School: Josh Baker, Rocky Schafer, Michaela Bowerman, Ricardo Garcia, Heather Lubinsky, Brooke Smith, Mariah Williams, Brandi Kramer, Michael Wheling, Rique Garcia, Stevey Wiman, Taylor Herzog, Taylor Mason, Casey Wiman, Andrew Johnson, Max Flansberg, Michael Fuglee, Robben Greco, Rosie Easely, Isaac Waley, DJ Newton, with help from Betsy Salgado, Josh Jesinghaus, Kimberly Callahan, Elizabeth Waley, Laura Seager, Parker Ogburn and Cait Goodwin. Box Monitor: Cait Goodwin Start your Quest at the Newport Pool, located at 1212 NE Fogarty Street, just five blocks east of Highway 101 on NE 12th Street. This Quest takes about 45 minutes to complete and involves walking on a steeply inclined gravel road. Follow the directions and collect the clues to fill the numbered squares on page 55. At the end of your journey, the word will lead you to the hidden Quest Box. When you find the box, please sign the log book and let us know what you thought of this Quest. Stamp your page as proof of your accomplishment, and then put the box back in its hiding place for the next person to find. Enjoy! Can you find water at the beginning, middle, and end of this Quest? 52 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

53 Water, water everywhere! But please bring your own H 2 O. This hike takes endurance; you may want a drink as you go. Start your Quest at the Newport Pool. Stand in front of this watery place. The most common vowel in an old mayor s name goes in the clue number 1 space. Now turn north and head to the street that is clearly not at all through. Check the gate that lies on the right for a painted clue number 2. Walk down the trail. See the wall on your right. Pick up a rock and with all your might try to break it into small pieces. See red iron oxide in the rock creases. Question for the Curious: Is the rock on this wall sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous? Keep on the trail. On the left is a tree. Attached to this spruce is a curiosity. How did the pipe get stuck to the tree? Reach up inside for clue number 3. Go down round the bend. Stop at Jeffries Creek. Here in this wet valley are two clues you seek. Here a large, flat-tailed rodent builds dams from trees it can chew. Take the second letter in its name for your number 4 clue. These wetlands may hold A horrible stink. Luckily, it s not As bad as you think. Can you find skunk cabbage? It makes a stinky smell To attract flies and beetles Which help it reproduce well. The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! Skunk cabbage The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 53

54 These pollinating bugs, like crickets, moths, and bees, belong in the same class. You can name the group with ease. Six legs, all jointed. Antennae, they have two. Their group starts with a vowel and it is your fifth clue. Walk up the long hill. It is a steep incline. Gaze toward the ground and look for a sign... Near the top of the second rise, before the bend, look north. Among the large trees something swings back and forth. Though now it s old and faded, what color did it used to be? The first letter of that word fits square 6 easily. Keep left as the trail goes up. Two giants live at the top. Your final clue lies with them, so tell your feet to stop. Question for the Curious: Why are the two giants living at the top of the hill? The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! Red alder... of Red Alder here. It s a broad-leafed tree. Its fruit looks like cones. They fall easily. Look up; its bark is grayish and lichen clings to it. Alders line this road. Press on... you can do it! These giants red coats came from exposure to water and air. The first letter of what the coat is goes in clue 7 s square. Now you have all your clues; your message is complete. Turn around and go back down; look right as you retreat. Now it s time to find the box; you are nearly at the end! You ll know you ve gone too far if you go past the bend. 54 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

55 Stamp page 103 of this book to record your find! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 55

56 Use this map of the Newport City Center Map base courtesy of 56 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

57 to help you solve the following Quest! The City of Newport. Quest Partner Oregon Coast History Center The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 57

58 City Center History Quest Established: June 2007 by Jodi Weeber and Cait Goodwin Box Monitor: Oregon Coast History Center This Quest begins at the Oregon Coast History Center s Log Cabin Museum, located at 545 SW 9th St in Newport, one block east of Highway 101. It is an easy 30-minute walk on paved public sidewalks and crosswalks. Follow the directions and collect the clues to fill the numbered squares on page 63. At the end of your journey, the unscrambled word will lead you to the hidden Quest Box. When you find the box, please sign the log book and let us know what you thought of this Quest. Stamp your page as proof of your accomplishment, and then put the box back in its hiding place for the next person to find. Enjoy! Embarking on this Quest will take you back in time. Explore Newport s history as you follow this rhyme. The Log Cabin Museum, built in 1964, holds history inside. Go in and explore! See models, old photos, books, stories, and games. Tales show how some places round here got their names. When you re done, look out front. A big name greets you. Take this county s fifth letter for your number 1 clue. Find the round state seal. See its plow, ships, and trees. What history is told by images such as these? Two words stand alone below the oxen s shoe. The second word s first letter is clue number 2. Back in 1962, the armory and parking lot replaced a grassy park which once occupied this spot. A city park still stands in the corner of the lot. The third letter of what was founded here goes in the clue 3 spot. Head west on Fall Street; At the corner, turn right. Soon the armory building will come into sight. Walk to the end of the block. At the corner, look back and see, over doors facing Alder, what this building used to be. 58 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

59 Question for the Curious: Count the number of stars on the seal. What is the significance of this number? The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! Newport City Hall, 1920s Photo courtesy of the Oregon Coast History Center (Hint: This building is scheduled for renovations in 2008/09. Use the photo above if you need to!) Featuring Art Deco style, in 25 it was erected. For clue 4, the first letter of the last word should be selected. Cross Alder Street to where LCSD now resides. But when first built in 37, it had different insides. It was first the Bank of Newport, and for its opening events a siren blew and a band played. Welcome, ladies and gents! Art Deco was a popular design movement from 1920 until At the time, this style was seen as elegant, functional, and ultra modern. In March 2007, the Newport City Council declared Newport s city center to be an Art Deco Heritage District. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 59

60 Check the old bank s façade and count the flowers there. The last letter of the number goes in the clue 5 square. The Midway Theater was once what The Ark was called. Its marquee first lit in 37, audiences were enthralled. At the end of the block, in the 40s, stood Howell s Department Store. Now clue 6 is the last letter of its contents built to soar. From here, look across the highway to a building light blue and old. Built in 1912 by Odd Fellows, a post office it used to hold. Question for the Curious: How much neon was used in the original marquee of the Midway Theater? a. 5 feet b. 25 feet c. 250 feet The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! Bank of Newport and Midway Theater, 1940s Photo courtesy of the Oregon Coast History Center 60 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

61 Photo courtesy of the Oregon Coast History Center Question for the Curious: Why is this structure known as the old Odd Fellows building? What are Odd Fellows? The answers are in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! This intersection holds your next clue. It s hidden in a small sign. The fifth letter of what follows DECO fits in square 7 just fine. Stay on the east side of the highway and cross Hurbert with care. Then turn your gaze to the west; you may see students there. In the 40s, Henderson s Furniture was where OCCC is now. At Jake s Hi Tides Supper Club upstairs, there was good chow. Keep walking north a while. Pass Lee Street and press on. Eventually a thrift store is what you ll come upon. Built in the 1940s, the business originally here sold electronic appliances, hardware, and similar gear. Check the photo on page 62 and see the business s name. The first letter naming the owners is clue 8 for this game. Look ahead across Angle Street. And see what is now City Hall. On grass surrounding the building Is where kids once played ball. Built in 1936 by the New Deal s PWA, it was once Central Grade School; its alumni abound today. Turn right onto Angle Street. At 9th, turn right again. Small businesses fill what were summer cottages way back when. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 61

62 Unger Electric, 1950s Photo courtesy of the Oregon Coast History Center It s time to walk some distance. Cross Lee Street and continue in a line. The third letter of the next cross street is also your clue number 9. Built on this corner in 41 is a structure bearing red paint. Take for your number 10 clue the first letter of the saint. An even older church ahead sits in a corner location. Presbyterians built it in 1890 but it has since changed denomination. Take the first letter of the word that follows Calvary. Put it in square 11; it fits there easily. Presbyterian Church, 1890s Photo courtesy of the Oregon Coast History Center 62 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

63 Just across the street stood Patrick s grocery. Since its debut in 1912 it s changed dramatically. It became a funeral home circa World War II; next a telephone company; now it s home to a radio crew. Patrick s Grocery, 1912 An octagonal red sign graces this intersection. The first letter on the sign completes your clue collection. Unscramble all the letters and soon ahead you ll know just where to find the Quest Box. Search for it right below! Photo courtesy of the Oregon Coast History Center Stamp page 104 of this book to record your find! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 63

64 Use this map of Toledo Arcadia Elementary School to help you solve the following Quest! Quest Partners Mid-Coast Watershed Council Lincoln County 4-H Toledo Girl Scouts 64 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

65 Toledo Arcadia Quest Established: 2008 by James, Tyler, Parker, and Scott, with help from Cindy George and Cait Goodwin Box monitors: Toledo Girl Scout troop 99, Betty Kamikawa, leader Students in grades 4 7 taking part in Toledo s 21st Century After School Program created this Quest with funding and support from the Mid Coast Watershed Council and Lincoln County 4-H at OSU Extension. Some of the students attended Arcadia Elementary School before the school closed a few years ago. Today the buildings are used for many different purposes, schools, and organizations. Please respect the property and the privacy of others as you explore the area. The school is located at 1811 NW Arcadia Drive in Toledo. From Newport, take Hwy 20 east. After passing the first Toledo exit, turn right on to NW Arcadia Drive and drive 0.6 miles to the school entrance. Park in the school parking lot. Follow the directions and collect the letter clues to fill the numbered squares on page 69. The Quest travels over paved pathways and includes a very long set of steps. We estimate it will take about 30 minutes to complete, but probably longer if you decide to stop and build a fort. Good luck! Welcome to the Toledo Arcadia Quest. Let us show you around... Start your Quest under the Arcadia All Stars at the school s front doors. Walk toward the second bench. Look up and see a sign. Take the second letter of the shortest word for clue number 3. Find the big mosaic, which pretty much the whole school put effort into making a few years ago. It may be moved from this location in the coming year, so if you can t find it here you ll have to go to Toledo elementary school someday to see it. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 65

66 The mosaic represents Toledo. If it IS here, check it closely. See if you can find a fox, hummingbird, trees, beaver, rowboat, road, and deer. A picture that an artist is painting in the mosaic is a piece of fused glass that was made by our teacher, Mrs. Bishop. Can you find it? Walk northwest past the front door and go down to the greenhouse. Check out this garden, where the letter S is not allowed. What do you think that means? Look on the nearest building and you will see a white sign with a big black letter on it. Take the letter for clue number 4. Start heading toward the basketball court, and then turn right and walk under the covered walkway to the fence. Go through the fence (but open it first). Here you will find some of the projects we are working on. First, there is a big greenhouse. Earth Works students will be working on fixing up the greenhouse so we can raise plants here again. Near the woods is a fenced-in garden area. You will find clue number 2 on one of the fence posts. There are a lot of forts up on this wooded hill. Some of them are secret, and one of them is a deer fort. We made them with Cindy George in our Nature Detectives after-school program. Knowing how to make a fort is useful because you can hide in it, and it s fun. It s also a good survival skill to practice. How to Make a Fort First, make a frame. Look for one Y-shaped stick and one straight stick that you can attach together. If you don t have rope, you can braid ferns, ivy, or take all the thorns off a blackberry vine and use that as a natural rope. Sometimes you can use a log that has fallen down as part of your frame, or one that is leaning over but is still sturdy. Once your frame is ready, look for forest floor debris and lean it or tie it to the frame to keep the rain away from you. 66 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

67 Survival Pack What would you put in a survival pack? You might want to pack water, food, a tarp, matches, a pocketknife, a map, and a compass. But the most important thing to have for survival is knowledge. If you know how to find and collect water and food, then you don t have to rely on carrying all your water and food with you. If you know how to build a fort, that can help you if you don t have a tent. We re going to be fixing up the trails so you can walk up this hill and find the stairways that are hidden up there on the right. You should check it out. But for now, turn around and go back through the fence to the big yellow wheel. When we went to school here, we used the wheel a lot to solve problems. The teachers really liked it. Some of the ideas worked better than others. Which ideas are your favorites? Go through the gate and walk down the stairs. Clue number 5 is on your left as you go down. Sometimes there are robins in this field. In the winter, when the ducks are migrating, they hang out in this field all day long. We used to run around this track during recess when we went to school here. Turn left at the bottom of the stairs and follow the track to the big Douglas-fir tree. Check the tree for clue number 6. Pick up one of the cones on the ground around the tree. What does it look like? Do you see little arrows sticking out of the cones? There are many stories about how the cones came to look this way. One story says that, long ago, a mouse was scared of a fox and jumped into a cone to hide. But he fit only part of the way in! To this day, you can still see his hind legs and tail sticking out. Can you see little mice ends sticking out? The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 67

68 Keep going around the track, to the backstop that catches baseballs after overthrows. Can you hear water? There s a little creek that runs behind the fence. Can you see it behind the blackberries? Blackberries taste good, but they hurt when the thorns go in your skin! The Himalayan blackberry is an invasive species, and they take over everything. They don t survive well under thick forest canopies, because they like the sun. But in fields and near places where humans have cut down trees, blackberries do really well, and they are hard to get rid of. Even burning won t kill blackberries, because the roots might survive. The most effective way to truly eliminate them is to pull the plant all the way out of the ground (which is not easy to do). Most people cut the blackberries back and try to keep on top of it. At the Y, take a left. We weren t allowed to go back here when we were in school. See the English ivy on the trees? Ivy is considered pretty, but it is a big, ugly problem in our ecosystem. Ivy is an invasive species, and it can kill the trees and make them fall. If you can, try to pull the ivy off the trees. In places where ivy is already thick and reaches way up into the tree, people can cut a lifesaving ring to get rid of the ivy. That means they cut the vines around the tree trunk to leave a one-foot gap, or ring. The vines are cut off from their roots and eventually wither and die up in the tree. For a tree, it can be a lifesaver! Turn around and walk back toward the field. Turn left at the track to continue around the field in a counterclockwise direction. Check the scoreboard for clue number 1. You have now collected all your clues. At the fence corner, use the word to find the hidden Quest Box. After you sign the guest book and take an imprint of the stamp, please seal the box and return it to its hiding place so the next person can find it. Remember, keep the location of the clues and box a secret! 68 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

69 Stamp page 104 of this book to record your find! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 69

70 Use this map of Hatfield Marine Science Center 70 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

71 to help you solve the following two Quests! Quest Partners Hatfield Marine Science Center/ Oregon State University The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 71

72 HMSC Yaquina Estuary Quest Established: July 2006 Box Monitor: Cait Goodwin Begin your Quest outside the entrance to the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Visitors Center. To get there from Newport, drive south on Hwy 101, cross the Yaquina Bay Bridge, get off at the first exit after the bridge, and follow the signs to HMSC. This Quest covers one mile on a generally level paved pathway, with occasional short detours onto cobble and sandy trails. It generally takes just over one hour to complete. Dogs are not permitted on the estuary nature trail. Follow the directions and collect the clues to fill the numbered squares on page 75. At the end of your journey, the word will lead you to the hidden Quest Box. When you find the box, please sign the log book and let us know what you thought of this Quest. Stamp your page as proof of your accomplishment, and then put the box back in its hiding place for the next person to find. Enjoy! This Quest is also available in Spanish. Ask at the Visitors Center. From the doors of the Visitor Center, spiral left on the nautilus shell to the tall pole that stands out front flying flags you likely know well. Nautilus shell From here head north cross the lot to a shelter from wind, rain, and sun. Painted low on this structure is a clue. Place the letter in box number 1. Turn right and head east to the end of the lot. Is the R/V Wecoma to your left on this day? Supporting oceanic and atmospheric research, she works out at sea; hence she s often away. 72 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

73 Before crossing the bridge, see a sign down low forbidding visitors of a certain kind. The second letter of what are prohibited here is clue 4 (we hope you don t mind). Soon the path made of asphalt changes to a pile of smooth, rocky rip rap. These rocks help keep the trail from eroding in case waves come too close when they lap. R/V Wecoma A sign near a bridge marks the head of the trail; on it is a YOU ARE HERE dot. The first letter of the trail s namesake s first name goes in square number 12 s waiting spot. To your left (which is west), the Yaquina Bridge shines and beyond roars the mighty Pacific. Its waters are salty and terribly cold; its ebb and flow schedule specific. Stop, look, and listen for signs of a mammal That frequents the Bayfront all day. The second letter of this barking fish-eater fits in square number 8 hooray! After the bend, stop at a sign and check it for clue number 3. Plants grow right in the sand here. Can you find some purple beach pea? To your right (which is east) snakes the river Yaquina, born of rain and runoff from the hills. It serves as a path for logs, boats, and fish, and down to the ocean it spills. Where you stand right now is a special place joining ecosystems of river and sea. This in-between habitat of brackish waters is known as an ESTUARY! Beach pea Question for the Curious: Is the water running under this small bridge freshwater or saltwater? List three ways you could find out the answer: Some of the possible answers are located in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 73

74 The next sign you find shows what happens when freshwater and saltwater meet. See the middle of three underlined words at the end? Take the fifth letter to make clue 5 complete. Sitka spruce trees are found to the left of the trail. They love the cool, foggy air at the coast. Though here their sizes are modest, some grow 16 feet across quite a boast! The fourth habitat you can see from this view is the CHANNEL where boats safely glide. The dredger Yaquina keeps it deep enough so the big boats can still fit inside. Before you return to the nature trail, step into the shelter for a clue. Written in black on this table is clue 11, and clue 18* too! (*Clue 18 is in the Spanish version only) Soon another bench beckons, and on it a clue to fill square number 16. Press on again, and keep your eyes peeled; what kinds of birds can be seen? Sitka spruce Look on a bench for clue number 6. There are two clues in one, so take care! For the English version Quest, use the green letter; for the Spanish version, put the red one there. An estuary has four distinct habitats. First find the shelter near bushes and sand. Our feet will stay dry if we stand here because normal tides do not reach this UPLAND. Look out to the SALT MARSH with its special grasses that can tolerate salt water soaks. When high spring tides submerge this field, hungry herons hunt for prey with sharp pokes. The vast MUD FLATS are exposed twice a day. You can walk on them at low tide. But to find the animals who call the flats home, you must dig, for they like to hide. Check the sign to learn which animals live in this flat, squishy, muddy, wet place. Letter two of the first title word on the sign is your clue for the number 10 space. Soon find a sign that will give you a hint about some feathered species to I.D. Take the second letter of the sign s first word; it fits square 15 easily. At the fork, continue straight on the path don t go right between seedling shore pines. But please put the eighth letter of the alphabet in square number 7, if you don t mind. Proceed to the bench at the top of the hill and enjoy the commanding view. While you re here, also be sure to search for square number 14 s clue. The estuary is a critical habitat for offspring who need time to grow. There s plenty of food and places to hide and fewer predators to worry about, you know. Some animals will leave this nursery behind to live adult lives in the sea. Others will stay their whole lives here eating detritus in the estuary. Search the picnic table for clue 13, and the left sign for clue number 2. You re nearly at the end of the Quest; soon you will know just what to do. 74 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

75 Question for the Curious: What is detritus? The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! Name the tree to the right of the signs. Take its first letter for clue number 9. Then head out to the bridge toward the very last clue; it will not be too hard to find. Look for swallow nest boxes above you; thick jaumea and pickleweed below. These plants store water to deal with the salt; without this trick they could not grow. On land, find invasive blackberries, the gardener s and conservationist s foe. Yet for us they re a tasty treat; if they re ripe, eat them as you go. Himalayan blackberry Now you can look for clue 17 on the trailhead sign by the street. It s the first letter of the first line of text. Your message is now complete! Retrace your steps to the Visitor Center. Use the message to find the Quest Box. Meantime, just tuck these verses away, and simply enjoy the nice return walk! Stamp page 104 of this book to record your find! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 75

76 HMSC Sustainability Quest Established: May 2007 Box Monitor: Cait Goodwin Begin your Quest outside the entrance to the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Visitors Center. To get there from Newport, drive south on Hwy 101, cross the Yaquina Bay Bridge, get off at the first exit after the bridge, and follow the signs to HMSC. This Quest is located at the Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) and highlights simple, sustainable practices. It is an easy, 30-minute walk on paved surfaces. Follow the directions and collect the clues to fill the numbered squares on page 79. At the end of your journey, the word will lead you to the hidden Quest Box. When you find the box, please sign the log book and let us know what you thought of this Quest. Stamp your page as proof of your accomplishment, and then put the box back in its hiding place for the next person to find. Enjoy! Let s go on a Quest around HMSC; we ll have fun exploring sustainability. Through full-cost accounting, future impacts we predict. Can we meet both our needs and the Earth s, without conflict? Question for the Curious: On average, how much energy is generated by these solar panels? The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! Sustainability The ability to meet present needs without compromising those of future generations. In front of the Visitor Center a patio lies outside. Find panels facing skyward. kilowatts they provide. These panels demonstrate that solar energy is viable on the coast though it s not always sunny. 76 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

77 Look low here for your clue; it s framed by a square. If you didn t stop to look you wouldn t know it s there. Put the letter that you find in square number 1. When the squares are all filled, your Quest will be done. Walk southward on the path (follow the panels gaze) past ODF&W s all-accessible maze. Go south to the end of the lot. Turn left and pass the garage. See the rusty old dumpster, peek inside to see garbage. Our trash has to go somewhere. Landfills have limited space. When we reduce, reuse, and recycle, this bin fills at a slower pace. Follow the drain downstream, past the library and grass space. Notice the shells in the grass. How did they get to this place? A few are from gulls dropping clams, hoping shells will crack far below. But in fact, most came in the fill dredged from the bay long ago. We no longer fill in our wetlands. They are critical habitat and more. Now when the channel is dredged, the fill is dumped way offshore. At the corner a conifer stands. It s a nice and low-climbing tree. I.D. it using the needles; the third vowel in its name is clue 3. Knowing Native Needles: Sitka spruce Each needle springs from a tiny, woody peg. In the nearest planter pot clue 2 waits prone for you. Note the letter on the rock. Replace it when you re through. Now examine carefully the long, narrow drain in the lot. A sausage-shaped bag is inside; this boom is where oils are caught. Shore pine Has two long, twisty needles per bundle. Without this extra protection much to our dismay oils from vehicles parked here could contaminate the bay. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 77

78 To develop sustainable landscapes, it helps to use native plants. They re adapted to the conditions and do well, given the chance. Head east to the building. Check the map; it s #953. Its lawn is drastically different from the others at HMSC. For the lawn here at USFWS is treated with herbicides. Is this what the lawn looks like where your family resides? Turn right at the hydrant and stop. Look toward the estuary. Of the two lawns by the path, which has more diversity? A Chem-Lawn monoculture may appeal, but at what price? Toxins can get in our water; their impact makes us think twice. Turn around and face to the north, but before you leave this place, put the first letter of the hydrant s color in the clue 4 space. Cross the road to the long lot where Faculty and Staff park. Carefully find a drain and look down into the dark. Unlike the drain to the bay, these lead to the city sewer. The black diaper lining inside traps oils to make problems fewer. Note the shape of the grate. Say the word that comes to mind. The last letter of this word is clue 5 for you to find. Find the safety of the sidewalk and proceed to a group of plants. The trees, bushes, and flowers grace Guin Library s entrance. On hot days, these plants need watering to thrive. But sprinklers put water into the air instead of just on stuff that s alive. To conserve our water resource, drip hoses encircle plants. Water goes just where it s needed; its path isn t left up to chance. Gently look for these hoses. They re made of thin, black plastic. Then go to the library doors and look up to see something fantastic. Few hunt whales any longer, thanks to a United States Act. Most whale populations are rebounding. The change has made a big impact. This minke whale lacked teeth. What mouthparts helped it eat? The last letter of the answer will make clue 6 complete. If your vehicle lacks emissions, park it in the space nearby. Check low here for clue 7. Now what do your clues imply? 78 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

79 Question for the Curious: What 1972 Act changed the rules about whaling in U.S. waters? The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey. Read the word your clues made. The location is the key. Thanks for playing our game about SUSTAINABILITY! Stamp page 104 of this book to record your find! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 79

80 Use these maps of South Beach State Park Quest Partner South Beach State Park 80 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

81 to help you solve the following Quest! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 81

82 South Beach State Park Quest Established: May 2007 by Cait Goodwin Box Monitor: Cait Goodwin This Quest begins at the Day Use Area at South Beach State Park. The park entrance is located on the west side of Highway 101, one mile south of the Yaqui- na Bay Bridge. The Quest is an easy 30-minute walk on paved and sandy trails. Long pants will protect legs from scratchy grasses. Follow the directions and collect the clues to fill the numbered squares on page 85. Note: A clue may fill in more than one square! At the end of your journey, the word will lead you to the hidden Quest Box. When you find the box, please sign the log book and let us know what you thought of this Quest. Stamp your page as proof of your accomplishment, and then put the box back in its hiding place for the next person to find. Enjoy! Welcome to South Beach! This state park tells a tale. To unearth its story, first find the head of the trail. Two trails here are named for a jetty made of rock. We ll see the jetty later, near the end of our walk. Pick the trail that s widest; the one that s paved and new. The big brown sign that names it holds your first Quest clue. Take the first letter from the trailhead sign and write it in square 1. More clues are yet to find. Beyond some large rocks, a small, wet hollow lies. Sometimes it s filled with water when rains fall from the skies. This seasonal wetland is good habitat for dragonflies, mosquitoes, red-legged frogs, and more. 82 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

83 This is also a place to see some vegetation. To tell the plants apart, a rhyme gives explanation: Sedges have edges Rushes are round Grasses have nodes What have YOU found? Take some time to look for the plants in the verse. For some it s just all grass, but for you, it s diverse. On the side of the trail. one rock stands alone. Search it for clue 2. Bending low may make you groan. Now follow the path behind protective dunes. They shelter us from wind that blows most afternoons. Though in fact, in the summer the wind blows all day long. The plants surviving here must be hearty and strong. Clue 3 waits for you on a pole that holds a sign. Thirty paces later, a left-hand trail you ll find. Take this sandy trail, turn right at the T. Invasive scotch broom likes it here where it s sunny. Scotch broom Sedges Have Edges There are many variations of the Sedges Have Edges poem. The rhyme helps us tell the difference between three grass-like plants. Feel and look at the stem. Roll the stem between your fingertips. If the stem feels triangular, with three distinct edges, it is likely a sedge. If the stem is cylindrical, it is more likely a rush. If the stem is flattened, hollow, and has nodes, or joints where leaves depart from the stem, then it is most likely a grass. As you walk through the grass, hear the ocean s distant roar. But 100 years ago, this trail was part of the sea floor! What Is a Pace? A pace is a unit of distance measured from the position of the heel when it is raised from the ground to the point the SAME heel is set down again at the end of the stride. In other words, walking one step with each leg (for a total of two steps) is equivalent to ONE pace. The length of a pace tends to be roughly equivalent to the height of the walker. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 83

84 The shoreline has been changing. Over time, the park has grown. The park s acreage has doubled and the cause is well known. The constantly shifting sands are trapped by the jetty. Dunes have built up and plants have moved in already. The trail ducks into shade of shaggy green pines. Salty wind twists them into shapes of all kinds. At the top of a rise, check the pine on your right. On it is clue 4, lurking just out of sight. Ahead the trail splits. Take the right path down back to the open spaces, where grasses abound. At the next T, turn left. Rushes are at your feet. Past more twisty pines, a paved path you will meet. Behind the wooden wall, the dune is cut to show the sand in which the roots of trees hold on to grow. Though the roots don t go deep, they hold sand in position. Debris from shedding plants Improves soil composition. Toward the wall s corner be sure to take a peek. The letter that you find is the 7th clue you seek. Walk out onto the boardwalk. See the deflation plain, where wind has scooped out sand and pioneer plants reign. Dune grasses, lupine, strawberry and beach pea are the first to appear on this reclaimed sea. Straight ahead, see the sea. Watch the water flowing. You may even get lucky and see a grey whale blowing. At this intersection, find a sign that is brown. The first word s second letter is clue 5 to be found. Take the paved trail west toward the ocean blue. The first bench you see holds your 6th clue. 84 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

85 This beach access point is marked with a kadoozi. It helps walkers get back to this spot, if they are choosy. The kadoozi s top color is the key to clue 8. You ll find its first letter fits the square just great. You should now have all of the clues collected. Read the message out loud; is it what you suspected? At the final viewpoint you can finally see the jetty that changed this place dramatically. After reading all the signs to the bridge point your nose. The Quest Box is behind where the secret phrase shows. WE the and they us Stamp page 105 of this book to record your find! The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 85

86 Use this map to help you solve the following Quest! Quest Partners 86 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

87 Oregon Hatchery Research Quest Established: 2008 by the 8th-grade class at Crestview Heights School, with help from their teachers, Terri Hanshumaker and Spencer Johnson, and OHRC education director Joseph O Neil Box Monitor: Joseph O Neil Driving directions: From Hwy 101 in Waldport, drive east on Hwy 34 for 26.5 miles and turn left (north) onto East Fall Creek Road. Drive miles on Fall Creek Road to reach the Oregon Hatchery Research Center. The main parking lot is in front of the large research/office building. While the Quest takes place entirely outdoors, there is an indoor Interpretive Center that you will likely want to see during your visit. Follow the directions and collect the letter clues to fill the numbered squares on page 92. This Quest will take approximately 40 minutes to complete and travels over level terrain. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 87

88 The goal of the Oregon Hatchery Research Center is to answer scientific questions related to fish recovery and hatchery programs, including the differences between wild and hatchery fish, and how to better manage those differences. Start your Quest at the Interpretive Center. Find your position on the map, and notice the creek that runs next to the center. Take the second letter of its name and write it in square number 12. From the parking lot, hang a right eastward and follow the road from whence you came. Walk down the road until you come to a tree that splits into two trees. It is on the creek s side, about ¼ mile down the road. Look to the left of the road and you ll see a stump in the ditch. Beyond the stump a homestead used to sit. It was built around Some of the people who were born there are still alive today. To the edge of the clearing there are two apple trees that were planted by the people who used to live there. There are also walnut trees and a garden area across the creek. The early settlers would wade across the creek to tend to the garden on the other side of the creek. Look to the logged side of the road where the stump is in the ditch. Check the stump for a clue. Once you find the letter, put it in square number 4. Now turn around and walk northwest on East Fall Creek Road, back toward the Interpretive Center. You will see red alder trees with moss on them all around you. Moss typically grows on the north side of the trees. On the hillside to your right, there are many blackberry bushes and wildflowers in the spring. In the creek to your left, there are also sword ferns and rocks. You are currently walking in the same direction as anadromous fish swim when they are ready to spawn. Walking back to the OHRC buildings from the homestead site. Did You Know? Anadromous means to run upward, to swim upstream from the sea to spawn. 88 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

89 As you are walking toward the host site, on the left side (southwest) of the road there is a big Douglas-fir tree with two big, orange 2 s on it; this is a mile marker for the log truck drivers. By the host site building, you will see a small wooden sign. Take the second letter of the first word. This letter is your clue that goes into square number 1. Turn left outside the Research Building and go southwest, along the Interpretive Trail. The trail runs beside Fall Creek. The interpretive trail s purpose is to educate people about the environment. Things to notice: The licorice ferns growing on the trees, and four bat boxes along the trail. Stop and read the information in the kiosks for information about the wildlife in the area. As you walk along, you will notice that there are numbers along the left side of the trail by the plants. If you go inside the interpretive center, there are brochures on the west wall under the exit sign. These brochures tell you about the trees and plants of the area. As you pass the number 4, you will notice a small shelter to the left that has a sign underneath. Take a minute to read the sign. Now, look up and find the next clue. It is the letter that belongs in square 5. Continue along the pathway between the two buildings to the front of the Interpretive Center. Here you will see four different fish raceways. Why are there four raceways? As you continue your Quest, you will discover the reason for this. The researchers at the hatchery use the raceways to combine different genes of different fish of the same species. Look at the sign on the front of the fish food machine. The second-to-last letter of the second word is your clue. Place this letter in square 2. Walk from the raceway to the green metal fence (north) surrounding the fish tanks. There are four groups of four tanks each. These four groups correspond with the four different raceways you just saw and the four artificial streams we will soon see ahead. The hatchery staff take one set of fish out of the artificial The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 89

90 streams, place them in one set of tanks, and then place them in one raceway. This allows researchers to experiment on more than one group of fish at a time. Follow the fence east until you get to the sign that has information on the tanks. Look at the title of the sign. Take the last letter of the second word and put it in the 10th square. After reading the fish tank sign, turn right, to the north, and walk along the gravel road. You will soon come to a bridge that crosses Fall Creek. Do not cross the bridge! In the creek you will see a big metal fish trap, floating in the water. The trap catches juvenile fish that swim downstream. The fish are identified by species and then released. Looking low on the bridge on the upstream side, you will surely find a clue to put in squares 6 and 7. Without crossing the bridge, walk down a gravel road (northeast) and see all the beautiful scenery. To the left, you can see where salmon spawn in the creek, marked by hatchery staff with orange rocks. The fish that spawn in Fall Creek are: cutthroat trout, steelhead, coho, and Chinook salmon. Wildlife is abundant in this area, including black bears and black-tailed deer. A Notice sign on the vehicle swing gate contains information divine. What is the first letter of the second word on the sign? It is this letter that is your clue to place in square 11. Look north and you will see the only place in the world where there are four artificial streams side by side. Notice the four cameras watching each stream. This helps researchers to study each stream without human presence. The four flags around you indicate the four indigenous species being studied here: Chi- Did You Know? The term indigenous means being produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in a particular region or environment. 90 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

91 nook, steelhead, coho, and cutthroat. The water from the silt pond flows through these streams. Each stream has a letter. The southeastern-most stream is labeled with the same letter that you need to place in square 3. Just past the artificial stream lies the silt pond. The silt pond works as a natural filter for the artificial streams. The water is eight feet deep in the center and shallower at the sides. Incoming water displaces the old water. Now, go north to the end of the pond. Turn west and follow along the side. A final turn to the left will lead you to a cement block. It holds the clue that belongs in square 8. Now follow the creek upstream toward the sound of rushing water. The fish ladder is where researchers take genetic samples from the fish that return to the hatchery. The hatchery staff trap the fish and allow only the wild fish to proceed upstream. This is the only fish ladder in Oregon that is lamprey friendly. Lampreys are an anadromous type of fish that look like an eel. Special things to look at: waterfall, rocks, water running under the metal grates of the fish ladder. Look for the sign that describes the purpose of the fish ladder. Find the third letter of the seventh word for the clue that fits in square 13. Walk from the fish ladder east to the big yellow crane. Look north at the waterfall on the other side of the fish ladder. The water-intake structure is screened to prevent unwanted fish and debris from coming in. The intake structure takes in 20 cubic feet of water per second. This is The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 91

92 the maximum legal amount of water the Research Center is allowed to use. There are eight miles of pipe that run underground between the water-intake structure and the Research Center. The pipes carry all the water that is used for the streams, tanks, raceways, and the research facility. The large crane you see is for lifting the grate on the water-intake structure, in case it ever needs cleaning. The last letter of the crane s color is your clue for square 9. Now turn and head back toward the Research Center. When you get to the artificial streams, find Penny s grave on your left. From here, use the clues you have collected to guide you to the location of the Quest box! Stamp page 105 of this book to record your find! 92 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

93 Use this map to help you solve the following Quest! The Yachats Youth and Family Activities Program Quest Partners The Yachats Community Parks Task Force Yachats Chamber of Commerce City of Yachats The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 93

94 YYFAP Habitats of Diversity Quest Established: 2008 by Mellie Bukovsky, YYFAP Recreation PLUS (Passages to Learning, Understanding and Success) Coordinator Box Monitor: Mellie Bukovsky The Yachats Youth and Family Activities Program (YYFAP) is located on the corner of 4th Street and North Highway 101. Turn west on 4th Street. Parking is available behind the Yachats Commons, or you may parallel park along 4th Street. Locate the Arbor/Trellis and walk north. Your Quest will begin at the brown Yachats Community Park sign, just past the kiosk. This Quest will take approximately 45 minutes and involves a choice of two paths. One path is wheelchair accessible and the other involves walking along a wooded trail. When it s time to decide, make your choice of the path you prefer to take and proceed. Follow the directions to collect your clues. Write the letter you discover in the numbered squares on page 100. The word you spell will direct you to the location of the hidden Quest Box. Please sign and leave your comments in the log book, stamp your sheet as proof of your accomplishment, and read the answers to the Questions for the Curious. Don t forget to replace all contents back into the box, seal it tightly, and re-hide the box exactly where you found it. Remember, keep the location of the box a secret! Question for the Curious: The Commons, as it s known today, is still a place where children learn and play. It was Yachats first elementary school. Can you guess the last year class was held here? The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! 94 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

95 At the commencement of the trail, a signpost tells our name very well. As you journey on your Quest, you will witness what we Yachatians love best. YYFAP... It s a place I long to be! YYFAP... It s a place just for me! Question for the Curious: What is a Yachatian? (Pronounced Yu-HAY-Shin) The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! Our Habitats of Diversity anyone can contest, but we believe they beat all the rest. Happy Questing! As was mentioned, note the sign post s title and give it your attention. The first vowel in the second word of the title will be your answer for squares number 7 and 11. As you walk along Yachats Community Park trail, take note of the terrain you hail. Their sizes my vary and it s true... they are sometimes buried by grass and weeds. It is often used for various purposes, but today... it serves as one of Earth s surfaces. With this hint I give to you, I m sure you will be able to unravel this clue. Did You Know? The Yachats Youth and Family Activities Program s purpose is to provide a safe and supportive environment for children, to be an advocate for youth and families, and to provide and encourage activities that integrate youth into the community. Use the first letter of the name of this six-letter word (of the type of path you walk upon) for your clue for square number 12. Now follow the path in a westward direction and locate the first park bench on your right. Cast your eyes to the north. You just might have to move back and forth. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 95

96 Try to find it... for if you do, you ll see a bird s nesting perch above your view. Continue walking westward. You should now be standing at the Big Spruce Tree deck. Question for the Curious: Who built this Big Spruce Tree Deck? The bird that dwells here is a fish eating raptor. So... beware fish, or you might be captured. Hovering above the water, It dives feet-first to catch its prey then soars high atop its perch to stay. Here s a hint to help you determine this clue: this amazing bird is also known as a Sea Hawk or Fish Hawk. Yet, for today s clue you ll need to spell this bird s name by starting with the missing vowel as you say, A, E, I,, U. Once you have your clue, the first letter of this bird s name will work great for frame number 8. The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! Locate the bench where, if you re sitting or standing on your feet, it has you looking to the east. Now, turn around and read the dedication plaque; with the date. The fifth letter you find in the name is your clue for square number 2. So, here is where you must decide whether to take the path on the left or the path on the other side. For either way you choose to go, you ll need to answer the clue below. 96 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

97 Note: Whether you choose to take the wooded trail or the smoother path, you will exit south onto 4th Street. The name of this connection will help you with your clue. A connection one might say, which allows us to go this way! This strong link has been put here to allow two separate parts to be near. Take the fourth letter of this word, which begins with the letter b, and place it in squares number 1 and 9. Those of you who have chosen the path on the left (for a smoother journey), continue on your Quest by reading the paragraphs marked LEFT. Those of you who have chosen the path on the right (along a wooded trail), continue on your Quest by reading the paragraphs marked RIGHT. LEFT: One plank, two plank, three plank... four. Five plank, six plank, seven plank... more. Don t stop now, you re on your way. At the end of the path you will find a pole. On the pole you will find a sign with a symbol of a Hiker. Using the second letter of the second word on the top of the sign, you will discover your clue for square number 4. END OF LEFT SECTION. On the next page, start reading at the paragraph that begins Now at 4th Street... Did You Know? Wetlands serve as Earth s water purification system. Substances that are dumped on the ground, poured down the drain, or tossed into the trash can pollute the source of our drinking water. You can make a difference in helping preserve our natural surroundings. Recycle, Reuse, Rethink! RIGHT: As you follow the north-west boardwalk, listen closely for any sounds. One never knows what can be found. As spring arrives, the sounds come alive. A formidable musician, just stop and listen. With a chorus of croaks, this indicator species is no joke. The first letter of this amphibian s name will help you discover your answer to square number 4. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 97

98 Notice the covered area above your head, which allows for minimal sunlight to be shed. This canopy of interlocking foliage and branches gives the forests microenvironment thriving chances. Notice the bird houses on the trees along this trail. Why do you suppose they are all on the east sides of the trees? END OF RIGHT SECTION Question for the Curious: What is an indicator species? The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! Continue along the boardwalk until it ends. Turn south at the woodland path and continue... again. Tread along lightly; there s no rush, it s true. Take your time and enjoy the view. Oh!... would you look at that! You ve just entered a new habitat! Question for the Curious: What type of tree makes up this forest? The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! Now at 4th Street, head toward a yellow building with two lion heads located on the north-facing wall. Head south along the street, walking parallel to windows trimmed in purple. Follow the directions on the octagonal red sign. Take a moment to note the name on the street sign at this corner. As you proceed on your Quest, you ll see the connection. 98 The Oregon Coast Book, Edition

99 Question for the Curious: Yachats holds an annual event at the Commons to celebrate a small, silvery fish. They are delicious fried up fresh with all the trimmings. If you ve never tried them, you don t know what you re missing! Can you guess the name of this little fish? The answer is in the Quest Box at the end of your journey! Turning east, you will find a building on the next corner with serenity in mind. At this location, built for its congregation; made from timber from up the Yachats River... history can be found. Where hearts and harps soar, for weddings and more. Peace, love and tranquility abound. Using the name of this rustic location, find the letter that sounds like the word eye when said out load. Use this letter as your clue for square number 3. Now, from this street corner where the Log Church sits, it is without a doubt that you should head south. If you are on the right path, you re on the next street at last. But before you make a move, you ve got to find a clue. Could this be déjà vu? An automotive manufacturer used this street s name as its marquee. What is this company s name? Using the fourth letter in the name of this street, you will have your clue for square number 5. Who knew that these little streets went all the way through... Yachats! Check your map. It will be a snap. Next, turn right at 2nd Street. Continue walking until you come to a view that can t be beat. Locate the sidewalk on the south side of the street and proceed. As you take in this grand view, stop and breathe. Sea breeze so splendid, it s truly tremendous. Next... look both ways before crossing the street! For now, you must head west. Once you ve crossed the street, walk south on the gravel path located along the ocean s cliff. The Oregon Coast Book, Edition 99