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There are days along the Oregon coast when it seems everyone loves to stroll along the sand with their eyes scanning immediately to the left and then to the right and then in front of them – back and forth they go -  they’re beachcombers and they’re having a blast.

Why not?

When you have a chance to find a shiny shell, an unusual rock or a unique piece of distorted driftwood, who doesn’t relish the idea of seeking treasures from the tides?

But as Grant McOmie has recently discovered, there’s a unique beachcombing adventure that offers the coastal visitor a stunning payoff  – unique glass art!

In the Lincoln City area, folks may cross paths with local resident Wayne Johnson – a self-proclaimed “float wizard” who makes certain that beachcombers have something special to find. Like a secret agent, Johnson stealthily moves among sea-strewn logs and lush beach grass to hide beautiful, colorful glass floats. Johnson said that he a dozen other float wizards hide up to 70 glass floats along eight miles of Lincoln City beaches beginning each October and continuing through May.

Nearby at the Jennifer Sears Glass Art Studio in Lincoln City, you can see the challenge that it takes to create a glass float – in fact, you can even learn how to do it yourself – with the help of local artists like Kelly Howard. Kelly noted, “People always say, ‘anyone can watch the glass blower but we never get to try it.’ Well, here is the chance to do just that. Try it, you may get hooked on it.”

The Jennifer Sears Studio is one of several glass art houses in the central Oregon coast area that’s participating in the glass float project. The glass float project continues along Lincoln City beaches through the Memorial Day Holiday weekend.

Want more? View photos from this episode.

About the Author: Grant McOmie

Grant McOmie is a Pacific Northwest broadcast journalist, teacher and author who writes and produces stories and special programs about the people, places, outdoor activities and environmental issues of the Pacific Northwest. A fifth generation Oregon native, Grant’s roots run deepest in the central Oregon region near Prineville and Redmond where his family continues to live.

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In this Grant’s Getaway

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  1. Phil Fisher says…

    Having spent the last 75 years in the Arizona desert, I have found the Oregon coast and especially the Lincoln City area to be fascinating and beautiful…………..

    Written on July 30th, 2012 / Flag this Comment

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