Sea cucumbers: not only are they edible but they're almost cute (photo Seaside Aquarium)(Oregon Coast) - If you think you've gotten to know the Oregon coast well, you're probably wrong. There's still tons to see, learn, taste and places to shack up for the night. But mostly, there's a lot beneath the surface you probably wouldn't have even imagined.Did you know there are a couple of castles on the Oregon coast? Are you aware of all the edible things you can pick up from local tide pools or near-shore waters? What about the eco-friendly secrets about Cannon Beach, or which town has the most outdoor eateries? Then, of course, what freaky plant on the central coast likes to eat meat?It’s time for another unusual journey around the Oregon coast.Eco-Friendly In Cannon Beach
One of the marvels of Cannon Beach, Fultano's electric carTwo businesses there have an interesting head start on the rest of the world when it comes to saving its resources.DragonFire Gallery recently started its own tea and coffee bar within the gallery space, called Inspired! Cafe. It creates more than a place to simply sit, sip and down truly inspired cuisine, with bright colors, a multitude of levels of things to look at and intriguing furniture. All this comes with a green slant and emphasis on local organic ingredients, including fair trade, shade-grown coffee.
They also have something else very unique going on in its Earth-friendly approach: their cups are particularly eco-friendly, all made of a biodegradable form of corn. They look like regular plastic cups, however. It’s a bit of “Star Trek” technology in an art gallery. 123 S. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach. 503-436-1533. www.DragonFireStudio.comAt Cannon Beach Fultano’s Pizza, owner David Johnson has acquired an electric car to use as one of his delivery vehicles. The Xebra is a three-wheeled beast that plugs in to get its juice, weighs under 1000 pounds and seats four. It travels up to 40 miles on one charge, and whirs along at up to 40 mph.There’s no word yet from David how the kooky little contraption fares in stormy coastal weather, but it consistently causes people to stop and gawk while it’s parked in front of his scrumptious Italian joint. 200 N. Hemlock and Second Street. www.CBfultanos.com (503) 436-9717.
Giant Barnacles (photo Seaside Aquarium)Eating the Coast: Stuff on the Beach You Can MunchAccording to the Seaside Aquarium, there are lots of edible things you can find on the beach. It’s obvious that most things are edible - it's whether or not you like them,” said Tiffany Boothe. “You can eat almost all species of snails, clams, octopi and fish. Most aren't going to make you sick.”Boothe said this list is stuff that is more commonly consumed, but most people aren’t aware they’re edible. The table is set for quite the freaky feast. Here’s Tiffany’s list.
Sea Lettuce: a yummy salad it probably doth not make (photo Seaside Aquarium)- Certain species of limpets. Limpets are related to snails and clams. - Gumboot Chitons. These are the largest species of chitons in the world reaching lengths of 13 inches. On average, other species of chitons are about 2-3 inches long. - Sea Urchin.- Muscles (some people know that these are edible but some do not). - Seaweeds such as Sea Lettuce and Bull Kelp. - Water Jellies. 
- California Sea Cucumber. This is the largest species of sea cucumber in our waters. An odd little tidbit: when threatened, the California Sea Cucumber will eject their internal organs. They are able to re-generate them in 6 - 8 weeks. Giant Barnacle. These are one of the world's largest barnacles. Individually they are five inches high and four inches wide. They are usually roasted and eaten.- Giant Pacific Octopus. 
Would you like a little Jelly Fish with your sea cucumber? (photo Oregon Coast Aquarium)- Wolf Eel. Of course scallops and other clams: Rock Scallop, Pink Scallop, Razor Clams, Cockle Clams, Goeducks, Butter Clams, etc.Catch more at the Seaside Aquarium, on the Prom. (503) 738-6211.Castles on the CoastThere is one real castle on the Oregon coast – and a crumbling, rather gothic looking structure that looks a lot like the ruins of a castle. One has an extraordinary history; the other is relatively new.
In Arch Cape, just south of Cannon Beach, you’ll find a B&B called Arch Cape House, built to look like somewhere between a ski lodge and a European castle. This is a remarkable and elegant construction, peppered with artistic details, containing seven striking guestrooms filled with antiques, beautiful furnishings and a sense of the Victorian fused with modern grace.Here, chandeliers and classy furniture inhabit the living room area, with a nifty little rounded nook in one corner - obviously part of the "tower." In the early evenings, they host "social hours" for the guests here, featuring wine and camaraderie in front of the fireplace.
The rooms at Arch Cape House are jaw dropping at the very least. The "Ginger" features blue and white fabrics, oriental ginger jars and a love seat, with a king size bed from Austria. In "Gaugin," there's a cozy window seat, a funky bathtub, muted pastels of the artist and a queen size bed. The stunning "Heather" is on the top floor and features a private deck, vaulted ceilings and a sitting area with a love seat. The "Parisian" comes with a window seat, a wingback chair, and has a Victorian vibe. The gorgeous "Tower" is in the tower and it's huge, with a sitting area, large soaking tub, various antiques, and it's draped in dreamy white lace. The "Provence" is on the garden level and is sequestered away from the rest of this small palace, with terra cotta floors, Jacuzzi and French doors opening into a private patio. Look for East Ocean Rd., just north of the Arch Cape Tunnel. www.archcapehouse.com. 800-436-2848.In Newport, you’ll find the gutted remains of a condo spread over a rock structure called Jump-Off Joe, in the Nye Beach area (at the end of NW 11th). Empty floor foundations stare blankly into the sky, with no walls to protect you from plummeting over the side of the cliff. Periodic stairways go nowhere, or almost nowhere, and serve little or no purpose.
Walk down the side trail to the bottom of the crumbling construction and you’ll a host of disgusting debris left by homeless people or partying kids, as well as a large swath of graffiti, which pretty much ends any imaginative leap to Europe in the mind. Walk around it and see other things jutting out of it or cracking, as if some minor fortress housed a much more minor dignitary once. In fact, the history behind it is almost comical. In the late 70’s, someone began fighting to build a condo on this bluff, which was obviously – to all the locals, anyway – a jitter or two away from crumbling further. The cliffs here had done so periodically over the century. Locals fought long and hard, and finally the developer won the rights to begin some of the research and legal clearances.
First, they had to find a geologist who would sign off on the stability of the bluff. They went through numerous geologists – all telling them this wasn’t feasible here. Finally, they found one who did approve the project.So after some more legal wrangling, it was built. Just before its completion, the ground shifted drastically and the condo foundation and building cracked. The “I told you so’s” went rampant, and the law forced the developer to raze the building. The slightly spooky – but always intriguing – foundation is all that’s left now.
Freaky pitcher plants of FlorenceCreepy Meat-Eating Plants of FlorenceIt’s called the Darlingtonia Botanical Wayside in Florence. Venture someplace a little scary on the Oregon coast sometime, with this bit of weird science that will remind you of the movie “Little Shop of Horrors” and that giant plant’s cries of “FEED ME SEYMOUR!!”The Darlingtonia Wayside features insect-chomping plants that mostly live between there and northern California. These rarities sit around, just waiting to catch bugs with their sticky parts, then slowly digest them. Insects get lured by the colors and smells that attract them, and they soon find themselves confused by clear areas that look like exits, only to get sucked into sticky parts that eventually cause their demise. Picnic tables abound here, and this rainforest-like park features a wooden walkway which keeps you elevated and away from the protein-hungry plants. The wayside is free, and you’ll find it just off 101, near Mercer Rd., Florence, Oregon.
Who's Got the Most Outdoor Eateries?There’s an interesting little secret about Newport. This central coast resort town has a lot of dining al fresco possibilities – a lot more than anywhere else. Newport has the most outdoor dining of any town on the coast. You’ll find at least 11 of them: Rogue Ales Public House, Gino’s, Lighthouse Deli (in South Beach), Kam Meng, Shirley’s, Port Dock One, Local Ocean Seafood, The Coffee House, Village Market & Deli, Café Stephanie, and Nana’s. The last three are in Nye Beach, where the sands are just a few steps away.
This makes the town especially inviting in those increasingly calm summer days or those stunning weeks of the “second summer,” found in fall. Cannon Beach has the second most, although it doesn’t come close to Newport. In Cannon Beach, the list includes Warren House Pub, Gower St. Bistro, Bill’s Tavern, Fultano’s Pizza, Lumberyard Rotisserie & Grill and the Driftwood Inn.RELATED STORIESClick here for video of Dec. storm aftermathOregon Coast Best of Awards for the Year And the winners are: best of Oregon coast restaurants, lodgings, science, odd events in nature and stunning moments for 2007Watching Transformations of Oregon Coast Beaches Seasons change and so do beaches, revealing different sides and a variety of eye-popping sightsStaggeringly Cool Ideas for Oregon Coast Romance Be it the season of Valentine's or be it any time of the year, Oregon's coastline has essentially cornered the market for cuddle-inducing possibilities and gushy activities for the hand-holding setDay or Night Mysteries and Merriment on Oregon Coast It's more than just nightlife that comes to life, but the beaches offer major opportunitiesOregon Coast Travel Site Goes Wireless Provides Lodging Reports - Oregon Coast Beach Connection now has mobile lodging and dining listings, along with weekly lodging availability reportsCONTACT / ADVERTISE ON BEACH CONNECTION
