The season less traveled offers plenty of extra enticements. It’s the perfect time to don your rain gear, put on cozy socks, and breathe deeply in the moisture-rich, highly ionized, golden-hued atmosphere that defines the coastal winter months.
The sheer and sublime beauty of the coast can be more than enough. Simply pausing to observe moisture gathering and dripping from the needles of our conifers can be a treasure that lingers for a lifetime. Watching the winter waves at the first light of dawn—now arriving at a pleasantly reasonable hour—unveils rainbow spindrifts that release into the moisture-rich air above.
For those who seek even more, something tangible to take home as a gift for friends or as a keepsake of your coastal experience, Yachats now has even more to offer.
The discovery of Art, found in unfamiliar places.
In 2023, Yachats embarked on an experiment with the potential to become a cherished tradition. Every Saturday, the trail gnomes hide artistically crafted sculptures in hidden corners along easily accessible trails, inviting explorers to discover these whimsical treasures.
Similar to beachcombing but even more rewarding, these treasures are limited in number and uniquely special. Unlike traditional beachcombing, however, these handcrafted artisan mushrooms are safely hidden each Saturday morning through the winter—celebrating the mycological wonders that sustain the majestic Siuslaw Forest.
This year, two artists studios are involved in creating one of a kind hand made Mushroom sculptures. Paris Birdwell Designs are creating Mushrooms of colorful and mind bending swirls of glass, and Rasa Clay Works have made all original one of a kind mushrooms out of high fired porcelain covered in crystalline glazes.
Paris has been honing her skills for many years, her creations an expression of her dedication and sensitivity to color and luminescence. These creations are a treasure to be discovered by who ever might be lucky enough to find them first. Holmes Birdwell Glass can be visited right off 101 just north of town.
Rasa Clay Works are creators of fine porcelain wares ranging from functional to architectural and are also part of the Yachats landscape. The artists at Rasa have lived here in the Siuslaw for many decades and have long been avid mushroom enthusiasts. They have chosen to be inspired but not to create replicas of our forests shrooms sculpting in the spirit of our mycological flowers.
Both studios are making original one of a kind, collectible shrooms with the hope of bringing smiles and encouraging adventure to be a year round endeavor.
Each Saturday, after these treasures have been placed – hints are created and shared to help direct where one might find these gifts. Check in each Saturday morning for clues at www.YachatsTreasureHunt.com and on our @visit.yachats Instagram.
They are a present, from Yachats, to you, They are an offering for your efforts to get out into nature during the winter months and walk, breath, rejuvenate and embrace the stunning yet subtle beauty that our coastal home has to offer.
Learn more: www.YachatsTreasureHunt.com
When: Every Mushroom Festival (October) to March 1, 2025
More about the artists:
Rasa Clay Works: www.RasaClayWorks.com
Holmes Birdwell Glass: https://www.instagram.com/holmes.birdwell.glass.art/