A quick trip to the Oregon Coast

We had the opportunity to run over to the Oregon coast for a couple nights earlier this week. On the way to the coast, we did a little detour to see the monastary where the Briggitine monks make their delicious fudge. The place was off a country road near Amity and really wasn't that exciting. There was a chapel and some simple looking buildings, but only a tiny gift shop. We were hoping to see the fudge being made! The gift shop had four small shelves of candies and the rest of the items were religious materials. So, we bought a box of fudge and continued on to the coast.

We arrived in Lincoln City just after noon, so we stopped in at Mo's on Siletz bay for lunch. The girls each order grilled cheese sandwhiches which were served on frisbee's (they got to keep) and Harry and I each had some hot and delicious clam chowder. We walked around the bay a little while, but it was so windy we decided to drive down to Depoe Bay and purchase an annual State Park Pass. At four we checked into the Worldmark resort in Gleneden and the girls had a nice surprise when papa and grandma showed up! With a two bedroom condo that sleeps six, there was plenty of room for all of us. The girls swam after our dinner of barbequed chicken and fresh raspberry pie and Harry and I walked on the beach and enjoyed the sunset.

On Tuesday, we said goodbye to papa and grandma and headed up the coast towards our next destination: Seaside. Along the way we stopped in at a favorite spot--the Tillamook Cheese Factory. Upstairs there is a viewing area where you can see the milk being cultured and turned into cheese curds, then squeezed into large blocks and sealed up to cure. Also, you can see the assembly line for the cheese ready for slicing into various sizes and sealed up for shipping. Very interesting! We had lunch there, ice cream cones for the girls and some yummy items from the gift shop (amazing garlic chili pepper cheddar cheese!). From there we headed North and stopped again in Canon Beach at Ecola State Park--a beautiful spot. This park has two beaches, one a mile and a half walk into (Crescent Beach) and the other an easy walk into (Indian Beach). There are hiking trails, view points and amazing lush woods. Definately recommend the park to anyone passing through! For those taking more time to travel up the coast, there are many state parks, viewpoints and light houses to see on the scenic route.

We arrived at the Worldmark Seaside around seven and with two tired girls, Harry picked up some dinner to eat in the room. After dinner, the girls crashed on the couches with their dad and I snuck out for a couple hours to photograph the sunset and Seaside at night. We had a one bedroom condo which looked north up the beach as well as over all of downtown Seaside. One of our favorite rooms yet! The next day the girls played in the pool, the gameroom, Alyssa rode the Tilt-a-whirl, Lauren rode the carousel and we walked around Broadway before heading towards home. It was so hard to leave!! Beautiful weather both days and amazing sunsets!

This is the Tillamook Head lighthouse, currently used as a Columbarium, visible from Canon Beach.

Haystack rock and the beaches of Canon Beach as seen from Ecola State park.

Mmmm! A favorite of ours! 38 ice cream flavors, cheese samples and a viewing room looking into the factory at work.

Sunset in Gleneden the first night. This man stayed in this spot for about forty minutes watching the waves and the sun go down.

Indian Beach at Ecola State park.

Another view of Indian Beach.

Two tired girls taking a break.

Fireworks on the beach in Seaside the second night. A lot of people were on the beach with their bonfires and also giving an early show of fireworks.

Tillamook Head, the view from Seaside

The Seaside Promenade, a 8000 foot long concrete boardwalk, lit at night.

Another picture at Ecola State Park.

Lauren on the carousel in the little Seaside mall.

Downtown Seaside at night, the view from our balcony.

The Seaside Turn-around. A popular spot to hang out in the summer or cruise around. Located on Broadway which is the main tourist area of town.

One of my favorite pictures!

We always enjoy the beach--can't wait to go back!

Barefeet, beaches, boats and my babes :)

Yesterday was so warm in town, we thought we would try to cool off by heading up the gorge to play in the river. The temp was still high nineties, but the water of the Columbia River was very refreshing. We set up our gear on one of the beaches in Hood River, had our picnic of sub sandwiches and then spent the rest of the time in the water. Lauren took longer to get the courage to wade in, even though you can see the bottom, so she spent more time digging in the sand. Alyssa and Harry played aerobe in the shallow water and also caught the attention of one of the many dogs who wanted to play also. After the winter storms we had in the winter of 2007, the beach area was enlarged due to all the sand and debris that washed down into the Columbia River. Now, when the water is lower, you can practically walk halfway across the river without it passing your thighs. Click here to check out more info on the marina park waterfront.

After enough of the sun and beach, we headed up through Hood River Valley, stopping at a local farmstand for ice cream cones and then up to Trillium Lake, where the girls and Harry cooled off again. Harry and Alyssa went all the way in the cold mountain lake and Lauren had fun running in and out. We saw some newts, which the girls were afraid of touching, and also some trout that a fisherman had caught. Trillium Lake is a year-round destination-kayaking and fishing in the summer, cross-country skiing in the winter, more info here. After a little exploring down a lake path, we headed home, wonderfully tired.

Pathway that winds around the East side of Trillium Lake. Leads to a boat ramp, camp ground and viewpoints.

Refreshed, but so, so tired!

The owner of this boat had a string of trout he caught. Trillium lake is for non-motorized boats only. Harry and I hope to get our kayaks up here this summer--a gorgeous spot! Those two little figures in the water are Harry and Alyssa, brrrr!

These two little guys were playing on the beach near us in Hood River. They look like they are having a pretty deep converstation here. I thought they were so cute! The spot we had was great for discretely taking pictures of other people on the beach and in the water. Of course, sometimes you are surprised with what you capture in a back ground--such as some bathing beauties--oops!

This woman kayaked out into the river and repeatedly threw out a tennis ball for her dog to chase--he had a grand time!

Seemed like a sweet picture opportunity!

The two little guys again, getting completely soaked in the water.

Having some challenges with their swimming trunks--both kept sliding down :)

This dog LOVED the water. He was the dog chasing the aerobe, but anything moving fast caught his attention. He came bounding up and knocked over the little boy in blue, scaring him so badly that he curled up in a little ball on the sand and played dead. Poor little guy--he was okay though.

Some aerobe action from Alyssa. Here are some figures in the background I did not intend to capture.

Laurens attire choice of the day--a dress. I can't imagine that being very comfortable when it is completely wet, but you aren't a "princess" if you are not in a dress.

Finally getting more brave! Lauren was intrigued with some of the rocks we found in the shallow water.....

.... as well as the wet sand dripping from her fingers.

What a fun day! We are looking forward to doing this again!