Getaway to Gleneden Beach, Spring Break

WARNING! Lots of pictures :).

We had the opportunity to go to the Oregon Coast for a couple nights over spring break. The first day, we arrived early and had plenty of time to play on the beach and enjoy the only sunshine we were to see. Alyssa and Lauren spent a lot of time playing in the sand, drawing shapes, digging holes and building hills. Alyssa scouted the beach for sea shells, but didn't find more than a broken mussel shell. Harry brought his kite along and we had enough of a breeze to get it in the air. Lauren took a turn at holding it and didn't let it fly away on her. We went to Gleneden, a quaint little area located between Lincoln City and Depoe Bay. There are so many things to do and see in this area, but we took it easy for the most part and just enjoyed the sounds and smells of the ocean.

As I was walking along the beach, scouting the sand for treasures of the sea, I came across this rock that was smiling up at me!

Oops! Forgot to turn it!

This is the resort where we stayed. The first night we were in the back building that had a view of the natural landscape of the woodlands of the beach. The second night we were in the building above with a nice view of the beach from the dining area.

The back building were we stayed the first night. Both nights we were able to get a one bedroom condo. We gave the girls the King master and we took the murphy bed in the living area. We really enjoyed sleeping with the windows open and having the fresh chilly air breeze in.

The first night we took advantage of the bbq on the balcony and after a couple hours on the beach, the grilled chicken tasted delicious!

The view from our room the second night.

Lauren likes to pretend that the window cranks are microphones and she made her announcements from here, including saying hi to P and G M.

Heading down to the water to attempt to wash the sand from Lauren's hands. It really bothered her to have them so sandy, yet each time we cleaned them, she dug right back into the sand.

Ready to go in and get her pj's on and some dinner in her tummy.

Harry took this picture and didn't notice until we put it on the computer that there was another kite in it. Cool!

Reeling it in and ready to head inside for the night.

Alyssa really likes to throw things in water, whether its rivers, lakes or the ocean, she enjoys seeing the little splash things make.

The sand and fine rocks up close. Neat textures, shapes and colors when you zoom in.

Sea kelp washed up on the beach and in a tangled mess. It was where our beach access was and had a very ripe smell to it!

We found Alyssa's name on the cliff next to the carving, but we did not put it there. There are warning signs about climbing on and carving on the cliff, as it is prone to slides and collapses.

Trying out a red filter on my camera. It is used a lot for increasing contrast with black and white pictures, but you can also use it to dramatize sunsets. Not sure how I like it yet.

Without the filter. There is one lone boat with its light on in the big blue sea.

Dad and his girls enjoyed one morning out in the pool. Alyssa is remembering her swimming skills from the last few summers of lessons she has had, she did very well. Lauren is trying hard to copy Alyssa and was kicking hard too!

No one out laying in the lawn chairs yet-way too chilly. At one point I did see a mom watching her son in the pool with a blanket from her room wrapped around her. She looked like a burrito with a little head peeking out. Aaahh, Oregon coast in March :)

We headed down the coast to Newport Bay while waiting to switch rooms at the resort. The weather was foggy with a fine mist coming down that didn't seem to really get us wet. We got out of the car a couple times, once to check out the marina on the end of the historic bayfront strip. We explored the marina and enjoyed many of the bright colors of the boats as well as their interesting names. If boats could talk, there would be so many interesting stories of adventure, danger and thrills to be heard. We didn't see too many fishermen around and those that we did see were busy working, so we didn't disturb anyone to hear more about this livelihood. There was an older sea captain that perfectly fit the image of a salty, rugged 'ol fisherman. I would of loved to have taken his picture in front of his boat, but I wasn't brave enought to ask. Got to work on that !

Don't see too many of these old phone booths around anymore.

This sign was stapled onto the boardwalk that runs in front of the marina. It discusses the lives lost while trying to make a living fishing. There were blue ribbons also attached to the boardwalk posts, one for each person perished at sea. Click on the picture to enlarge it.

One of the blue ribbons.

I really enjoyed some of the bright colors we found among the fishing gear. Some of the floaters attached to these crab pots really added some interest.

This is the Port of Newport Public Fishing Pier located on the south side of the bay. We walked out to the end and along the way peeked into the pots of crab that people had caught.

A neat picture Harry took with lots of different lines and angles. Neat!

Alyssa was brave enough to hold this starfish that had just been pulled up in a crab pot. She said that it made her hands really sticky and that it felt funny. We threw it back into the water.

A couple of friendly fishermen were showing off their catches of the day. This man had spent all morning crabbing, since 7:30 and we came along around 3:00. He had caught 11 keepers and was allowed to have up to 24 with his permit. This is called a Red Rock Crab. Another man showed us a baby crab and even tried to convince the girls to hold it since its pinchers were so tiny, but the girls were too timid. Lauren and I touched the shell of the crab before it was thrown back in the water.

Nice little playground at the resort the girls enjoyed. Lauren loves slides!