Of course, if you have adventurous types who don’t mind a workout, there’s always sandboarding. That’s what my nephew, an avid snowboarder, decided to try. We rented a board and headed back in the dunes. I found a sheltered cove and settled down to enjoy the sun, having hit on one of the 160 days a year that are sunny. Sandboarding, it turns out, doesn’t quite work the same as snowboarding (especially since there are no chairlifts). Next time I’d head to Sand Master Park since in addition to having opened the world’s first sandboard park with 40 acres of privately-owned sculpted sand dunes and beginner to advanced slopes, they offer lessons on how to properly prepare your board and ride the sand.

Ten miles north of Florence, you’ll find the Sea Lion Caves, the country’s largest. This set of interconnected sea caves and cavern—a privately owned wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary—opens onto the Pacific and houses hundreds of Stellar sea lions all year long. However, they’re not always at home. In spring, they move to the rock ledges in front of the Cave (known as the rookery) to breed and birth their pups, and they’ll stay there through the summer. And sometimes they just go on walk about—or swim about in this case. Best to call ahead (541-547-3111) or check the web cam.

For a lower-key outing, head to Given Back Bird Houses Working Museum at 1300 Bay Street in Historic Old Town to watch Florence locals ­­­Amen & Maria Fisher create delightful, one-of-a-kind birdhouses using found wood and driftwood pieces, as well as different types of mosses, bark and fallen branches. They create different camouflaged houses for different kinds of birds, based on the shelter the various types of song birds (like Nuthatches, Chickadees and Wrens) as well as Bluebirds, Robins, Finches, and Hummingbirds prefer.  They also make feeders, bat houses and pollinator houses for moths, bees and butterflies. The museum, which the couple describes as in indoor forest, is open Friday through Sunday only.

While you’re in Old Town, you can chronicle your family vacation with a family photo straight out of the Old West, Roaring 20s or the Victorian Age. Flashback Old Time Photos at 75 Nopal Street will set you up with the costumes and pose you in front of a backdrop that looks just like the real thing. Call 541-997-1686 for more information.

For a taste of what life was really like in the old days, head to the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum, with its historic displays and photographs depicting how pioneers who settled on the Siuslaw River primarily as loggers, fisherman and farmers actually lived. In addition, you’ll find an impressive collection of Native American artifacts. The museum also offers a self-guided walking tour to 21 locations in Old Town, but I’m guessing that’s going to be a stretch for the kids. If I’m wrong, check the website for information.