The appearance of Oregon beaches changes with the seasons. Some of the most dramatic examples occur along our section of the coast. It’s a common phenomenon yet it invariably leads people to ask, “Where did the beach go?”

Indeed, if you visit the beach this time of year, it looks as if it’s been scoured clean of sand from the ocean waterline to the first row of sand dunes, also called a berm or foredune. Quite the contrast with the pillowy, loose sand of summer.

How does this happen? First,a few facts. According to the 1994 Scientific American reference book “The Evolving Coast” by Richard Davis, “sand” is not a thing, but a size. Smaller bits are “silt” and larger bits are “gravel.” The sand on Oregon’s beaches is primarily mineral sand, with most grains being a crystal or tiny chunk of rock eroded from Cascade Range and Coast Range sources.

The distinctly different seasonal beach profiles are attributed to the frequency and duration of energetic storms. During the winter, long-lasting storms with large breaking waves tend to sweep sand away and deposit it offshore in sandbars. By March, after four months of scouring by winter storm waves, most sandy beaches on the South Coast are flattened and seriously depleted of sand. Winter waves have carried most of the sand offshore to form extensive underwater sand bars. As winter storms become less frequent, these sand bars start to migrate back toward the beach, marching slowly across the sea floor like underwater sand dunes.

The process of sand bars moving ashore and rebuilding the beach continues sporadically throughout the spring and summer, but can be reversed any time, if late storms bring large, steep waves that sweep the sand back offshore.

Although the strong northwest winds of spring sometimes create wind waves that erode the beaches, these same winds also carry beach sand to the back of the beach, out of reach of all but the largest storm waves. In this way, the spring winds help build up dunes that may have been eroded by winter storms.

What are the origins of all this sand? Most is delivered by rivers that carry and collect sediment throughout their course and finally dump it in the ocean because the energy of river flow gets exhausted at this stage. The sediment load (mostly fine sand) is pushed back and forth towards the shore under the influence of rip currents, which flow at an angle to the shore and are spread along the shore by what’s called long shore current (Ocean current which flows parallel to the shore). In this way, new load of sands are delivered and spread by ocean currents, resulting in the creation of beach.

The scouring of the top layers of sand has another predictable yet interesting effect, and that’s to “unbury” shipwrecks. The most famous is the Sujameco, grounded at Horsfall Beach in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area north of Coos Bay

Constructed in 1920, the steamship Sujameco was a regular part of the lumber trade. On March 1, 1929, Captain JF Carlson was leading the Sujameco and its 35-man crew to Marshfield (as Coos Bay was called then) for the first time. Heavy fog hit. Carlson became confused, and later admitted he miscalculated his position.

Everything of value was eventually recovered and the wreck was salvaged several times, including during World War II for scrap metal. Since it sits so close to shore, it’s become a fun destination for visitors.

Yet not a trace is visible most of the year, so go soon if you want to see this season’s “show.”

Getting There

From North Bend and Coos Bay, head north on US 101, crossing McCullough Bridge. In just under 1 mile turn left (W) on TransPacific Parkway. Cross a causeway, small bridge and two sets of railroad tracks. Just past those, turn right (N) into the Horsfall Beach access road to the Oregon Dunes. Follow it to its terminus with the Pacific Ocean at Horsfall Beach. A $5 day use permit or seasonal pass is required.

(Shopper columnist Tom Baake is author of local guidebooks.)

During a visit to Coquille the other day, I was p[leased to see well the whimsically-named Hundred Acre Wood trail system for mountain bikers and hikers held up after the season’s heavy rain.

Laid out in woodlands at the eastern edge of Coquille, the trail system is more like 148 acres, but the reference to the famed Winnie the Pooh storybook setting was apparently too good to pass up.

Coquille public works director Mark Denning and his staff led the trail project through the various stages of approval, funding and construction, including the acquisition of important grants, which financed the project.

For the work, the city hired Ptarmigan Ptrails, who also designed the popular Whiskey Run Mountain Bike trail system in the Coos County Forest between Coos Bay and Bandon.

“They did a really good job,” said Denning. “The trails held up well and they require very little maintenance.”

Like most such projects, it was done in stages, with some work still to be done. In addition to the trails, there’s a pavilion, picnic tables, and plumbed restrooms in the parking area. There are even leashed hand tools for bike repairs.

Public works director Denning said finishing touches include some benches well as durable signs to replace temporary versions. The final phase is expected to include a loop around the whole property, following a logging operation on the northeast corner.

As for the trails, they’re a delight. Well-graded, cleared of roots and rocks, wide enough for passing, and lined with gravel or dirt, most are long, gentle switchbacks that ease riders up and down the slopes, inspiring the term “flow trails.” Most accommodate walkers and bikers, while some are exclusively for one or the other.

Bikers are offered a multitude of styles and experiences, ranging from low-risk to technically demanding. For example, mountain bikers seeking a fun, “gravity oriented” bike experience can check out south side trails, while trails in the northeast corner offer a more “subdued nature experience,” according to the planning documents.

Visitors can craft routes and loops of longer lengths or do short, after-work recreation. Local schools can also use the trail system for outdoor education activities.

Most of the intersections have “You Are Here” map/signs, although Denning acknowledged there are a few that might be confusing. To address that, the trails will likely be named – and some resigned --  rather than numbered and lettered as they are now.

Also on that subject, Denning was pleased to see the trail system has been entered into the TrailForks.com web site, making negotiation the trail system easier. The city of Coquille’s web site also has a downloadable map.

All in all, a worthy addition to the local outdoor recreation scene.

Getting There

The trails are literally minutes from town. From downtown Coquille, head east on E. First St., which is the street between the Sawdusters Theater and Safeway. Go 5 blocks and turn right (S) on Folsom St. In one long block turn left (E) on S. First Ave. and follow it up to the park entrance, marked by a Hundred Acre Wood sign.

Check it out!

(Shopper columnist Tom Baake is author of guidebooks available at the Coos Bay Visitor Center.)

Sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s having more fun at the railroad museum in Coos Bay – the gleeful kids scrambling around, or their parents and grandparents, grateful for this interlude of absorbing activity.

Run entirely by volunteers, the Oregon Coast Historical Railway museum and display area at 766 S. First St. (US 101 North) in Coos Bay is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays Admission is free although donations are welcome, as are volunteers to help with everything from greeting visitors to lending a hand on restoration projects.

Visitors making their first tour are handed one of the group’s colorful brochures and welcomed with a quick overview of the display area, annex, blacksmith shop, Snug Harbor shelter, gift shop and museum. Repeat visitors hear about recent acquisitions and get project updates.

An evolving feature is the blacksmith educational and demonstration area run by blacksmith Ethan Benoit, who can often be found at work on a handful of projects.

For the youngsters, however, they’re ready to explore. Climb aboard the locomotives and the three cabooses – once they learn what’s a caboose?

Ring the bells and maybe even scramble up into one of the cupolas –after learning what cupolas were used for! Young visitors can also board and pretend to drive a vintage D-8 Caterpillar tractor and a Panama Canal switcher, and look at a massive motor that operated the Coos Bay railroad bridge.

While most visits are relatively straightforward, the occasional youngster can be so knowledgeable on the minutia of railroading they border on savants, and in which case it’s best to just follow behind with a notepad.

As for the grown-ups, they’ll likely hear a plea to get involved with the railroad group. A few more friendly faces to greet visitors who come from all over the world to marvel at these relics of technology.

Yet they’ll say, “I don’t know anything about railroads!”

“Ah but you don’t have to,” they are told, “because just about everyone who comes through that front gate had a father, grandfather, uncle, cousin or brother who worked for the railroad, and they want to tell you all about it!”

And then there are the much-documented benefits of volunteering, especially in older people. You get a sense of accomplishment, learn about your adopted town, and meet new people, 99 percent of whom are in a cheerful and appreciative mood.

For Laurie Nye, retired to Coos Bay after a career as a microbiology lab instructor, one of the first things she did was volunteer. It was definitely a way to break the ice, she says. “It’s hard sometimes for an elderly person to make friends.” She eventually made her way to the railroad museum, where she greets visitors and helps with the gift shop.

Steve Jansen recently retired as Coos County Tax Assessor, and serves as president of the rail museum board. He calls it plain, old-fashioned civic duty. “If you don’t do it, who’s going to?” He says volunteering is one of the most direct ways to contribute. “It’s a one on one donation of your time.”

It’s also a way to “put a face on the community to visitors,” he says. “Nobody can do it like a motivated volunteer.” Plus, the whole process is a mood elevator. Or as Steve calls it “a steady stream of nice people” complimenting volunteers for their efforts in keeping the museum and display area open year round.

And in there now and then, the little gems . . .

He came swirling up, a little Tasmanian devil of a whirlwind to settle a moment in front of us, and declare “This is the most fun I’ve ever had in my life!”

Well, presumably that will be overshadowed by later more worthy and exotic adventures, but the sentiment will do for now. As was this one, several months later, completely different people, from whose ranks issued another precocious tot to declare “This is the best museum I’ve ever been in in my life!”

Such a dramatic pronouncement – I presume he hasn’t visited the Smithsonian, or for that matter. the Coos History Museum just up the street.

And once in a while, an even rarer gem. Again, wholly different people, on his way out, the young gentleman explained his parents made an annual visit to the coast and always included a stop at the railroad museum.

“Well that’s nice,” I said. “Then I’ll say goodbye and see you next year.”

“Okay maybe,” he said. “But I’m only 4 so I probably won’t remember you.”

(Shopper columnist Tom Baake volunteers at the railroad museum in Coos Bay.)