BEHIND THE BIRDS
THE STORY OF OUR HEADLANDS LOGO
April 2021
During the creation of Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa our development team, comprised of founding partners Mary Jones and Jeff Schons, S|EA Architecture, and EDG Design, concentrated on connecting our lodge and guests to the natural beauty of Pacific City. At every step along the way the designers’ emphasis was on bringing the outside inside as much as possible. Drawing on the natural beauty of our surroundings for inspiration, the wood and stone and brilliant craftsmanship used in the construction of the lodge succeeded in creating a welcoming coastal sanctuary unlike any other on the Oregon coast, where our concept of Hospitality, Oregon-Style can shine.
As the founders developed their vision, they paid special attention to the iconic monolith of Haystack Rock and the headlands of Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area. These are the headlands that inspired our name; and appropriately, as construction plans took shape Cape Kiwanda and Haystack Rock became the front row view from every guest room at Headlands. Long before Headlands appeared on the drawing board, however, Pacific City had become home to a special bird that nests here, the Semidi Island Aleutian Cackling Geese.
Pacific City is the only wintering spot in the world for this coastal species of white-cheeked geese. Each year, from October through April, a few hundred geese fly south more than 2,000 miles from their tiny Alaskan nesting islands to Oregon’s North Coast. During their Pacific City stay, every evening at sundown the geese fly together from their feeding grounds in the pastures of the Nestucca Valley and soar over a mile of ocean to roost for the night on Haystack Rock. Every morning they make the return trip to the pastures. Pacific City provides a unique front row seat from which to observe the cackling geese as they go about their daily routine.
Our Headlands logo was inspired by these beloved seasonal residents because they so aptly capture the Headlands spirit: rugged, beautiful, and ready for adventure. In many ways we feel the same way about our guests as we do about our geese—we eagerly await their arrival, cherish their stay, and look forward to their eventual return.
You can watch this special flock from the private oceanfront balcony of your guest room while you enjoy a leisurely breakfast or evening cocktail, and you will see these geese highlighted throughout the lodge. The welcome desk, our custom Pendleton blanket, the hallway wallpaper and more all reflect our beloved flock. For a special treat, head out and catch the coastal sunset and view the local wildlife from the top of Cape Kiwanda. We hope your stay will inspire you to follow the flock and make your return to the Oregon Coast a ritual to refresh your connection with the rhythms of nature.