Oregon Drift

Select dinner at one of the seafood markets located in Charleston. Photo by Benjamin Brayfield

Trying to keep everyone in the family entertained throughout the summer can be difficult. However, Charleston makes it easy.

The Chamber of Commerce has dubbed Charleston the area’s ‘commercial and sport fishing center,” certainly making it an ideal spot to cast a line.

Whether you want to fish, feed seals and seagulls, or simply watch the sun set, the Marina Docks are open to the public from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Ladies, do a little exploring on your own while the men stock up on fishing gear at Englund Marine Supply and the kids busy themselves next door exploring Charleytown’s miniature jail and meeting its decorative horse, ‘Chuck.”

Charleytown Marketplace, in the north end of Charleston, offers a unique collection of garden dacor, jewelry, books, clothing, china, wine, chocolate delicacies and much more.

Myrtlewood carvings handcrafted by local artists are for sale along with antique coins dating to the early 1900s. Photography of the great outdoors by locals John Renda, Dawn Richards, Joseph Drew and Eve Stevens can be found on in the form of postcards and prints.

Owner Donna Kaiser says local artists created the majority of items in the store, providing an atmosphere different from other boutiques.

‘About 150 local artists contribute to Charleytown,” said Kaiser.

Charleytown Marketplace is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

However, if you’re a morning person, head to the Poparazzi Concessions’ food stand in their parking lot at 7 a.m. for a $3 breakfast with your choice of ham, eggs, taters, French toast or biscuits and gravy, complete with coffee.

Before go to the beach, visit the Sea Basket, across from Davy Jones’ Locker, and buy a surfboard, kayak, skim board or kite to complete your seaside side experience.

While you’re there, wade through the store’s wide assortment of seashells, mussels, starfish and shark’s teeth.

In the mood for seafood? Go to the Marina Docks and pick up fresh albacore tuna for $2.50 per pound at Fisherman’s Wharf, open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Sunday.

Fisherman’s Wharf also invites you to take a look at its crab, live or cooked.

If you feel like setting out on open water but lack the equipment, Miss Linda Charters and Tours offers a 1979-built fishing vessel. It was converted to a charter and research vessel in 2004 and now gives tours and cruises of the ocean and bay.

If the time is right, you may see whales, seals, sea lions, dolphins, pelagic birds and other marine life.

All captains of Miss Linda are licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard. For details or to schedule a trip, call (541) 888-2128 or visit www.misslindachartersandtours.com.

By Lisa Donato