Oregon Coast--Day 3

If it wasn't for those great kiddos of ours, I think we could of stayed in that house forever. It was so fun.

The next morning we headed off to the Yaquina Lighthouse. I have never been to a lighthouse before and was so excited to go.

They had some wonderful tide pools there but they also had a whole colony of seals that lived in the inlet. We had a great time watching them. They were very quiet, not what I was expecting but neat to watch them move around, none the less.

Sam enjoying the view. This was day was a very typical Oregon today. So very windy and in the 60s. I was quite cold but Sam was in heaven.

Waiting for our tour.

So pretty up there. You can see for miles and so amazing to me the difference in our country as far as diversity of land. 

The tour was excellent and very fascinating. I loved hearing the stories and climbing all those stairs. Here is the fresnel lens that they still use and is original to the lighthouse. Those tiny light bulbs can be seen 20 miles away. So crazy!!

After the tour Sam wanted to go body boarding again so I read in the comforts of the beach while he enjoyed the freezing water and wind. Boy was that boy in heaven. He was totally in his element and loved finally getting it almost every single time.

We hadn't eaten lunch so we ate an early dinner at the #1 rated restaurant on trip advisor, Tidal Raves. Wow!! That food was the amazing. We sat over looking the beach and took our sweet time eating, talking, and enjoying the view. That place is totally worth going to every single time. We also had the most amazing desserts. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

The rest of the evening we decided to stay in. We played ping pong, canasta, rummikub, and watched a movie. We ended the night watching 2 whales playing together off the shore for a solid half hour. So amazing to watch those beasts.

We drove all the way home on Saturday (11 hours of us and the car!!) and boy was a it good to be home. I missed being together, just Sam and I, but there is just something like home.

Oregon Coast--Day 2

For breakfast, we ate at the Sea Hag where Sam got one of his favorite things in the whole world, eggs benedict. If he ever finds them on the menu he will get them. He said these were wonderful.

We decided to go see the tide pools at Devil's Punchbowl. 

It was one of those rare, sunny, beautiful days. The wind wasn't blowing, the sun was out and it was warm. It got up to 75 that day and boy did we enjoy it!!

Sam is absolutely in love with water. Always has been. I think in his dream life he would have a house right next to the ocean and never leave.

We explored those pools for 2 solid hours. It is so amazing how low the water gets. 

It took us awhile but we finally started finding critters in those pools. They sure blend in but we started being still for awhile and found so many animals.

We found a crab that had made a mussel shell it's home.

Anemone beds.

Lots of starfish.

Sam thought it was so cool to pry them our of their hiding places and check them out.

Sand art--sure love that guy!!

When tide was the lowest we headed into the actual Devil's Punchbowl. Isn't that so gorgeous??!!

Heading into the punchbowl.

Standing inside the punchbowl. We also saw it at high tide and it was so different. The ocean is so amazing!!

After awhile we had had enough of our shoes so we took them off to dry.

Sexy feet...haha...

More animals.

Headed out a little farther.

After the tide pools we headed to the marine science center. That was fascinating and we had a good time checking out all the exhibits and enjoying the peace.

By that time I was starving, so after a recommendation from a good friend, we went to Georgie's for lunch. We sat right next to the window and watched the ocean the entire time.

I had shrimp and couldn't resist taking a picture of the destruction. It was absolutely delicious and amazing. I wanted to eat it all in 2 minutes flat, but alas I paced myself and very nicely even let Sam have one bite!

After lunch, we explored one of the sandy beaches there in Newport. 

We found a spot to enjoy the sunshine and the weather and read.

Well at least I read. Sam took a nap.

Then Sam convinced me that we should rent wetsuits and body boards and try out the ocean. I wasn't too thrilled (mostly because I HATE being cold) but I decided, hey why not once.

After coming out of the dressing room, I noticed Sam's suit looked a little silly. That cute guy, he thought the zipper went in the front. We sure had a good laugh over that!!

Isn't that so attractive!!??

We went to Otter Rock and tried it for several hours. Sam was so in heaven. He just kept going and going and going until he finally got the hang of it right at the end.

Me on the other hand. I was a mess. I couldn't get the rhythm of the waves to save my life and after swallowing a gallon of salt water. I was kinda done.

See how happy he was!!!

After getting out of our wet suits we headed to Mo's famous clam chowder. We had been told that this was a must go and since there was one right where we body boarded we tried it out. Yummy!! I love a good clam chowder and it was perfect to warm my freezing body back up!

That night we were exhausted so we went back to the house, sat in the hot tub and watched the whale that was having a good time right off the coast in front us. we were so amazed and it was so neat to see one of God's amazing creatures!!

Oregon Coast--Day 1

The Tuesday after girls camp we packed up and headed for the Oregon Coast. Well Sam and I did anyway. We left the kids with my parents for the week (where they got put to work on the farm and Luke informed us that maybe he wants to be a combine driver instead of a flight attendant, or maybe something with electricity because he sure really likes electricity. Silly boy!!).

Our 15th wedding anniversary is at the end of this month and we decided to have a get away. We were so excited to be going and had been looking forward to it for months. After dropping the kids off we headed down the road about 3 hours and spent the night in a hotel.

The next morning, after getting up early, SOMEONE was a little excited to get on the road and headed for Portland. Haha...anyway, needless to say I got a nap in the car so it was all good.

We stopped at the Portland Temple and did a session. I have never been to that temple before and I was so excited to see it. Wow!! The grounds are absolutely beautiful and we loved taking our time walking around and enjoying all the beauty.

It was even a nice, sunny, cool day there. 

This tree was gorgeous. It had moss growing all over it and was so fascinating to look at.

After the temple we grabbed some lunch, some snacks for the house we were staying out and got out of dodge (boy is there a lot of people in that city and the whole not pumping your own gas gets a little ridiculous, anyway....). We drove several more hours to Depoe Bay.

Our first view of the ocean as we traveled highway 101. What a beautiful stretch of road and so gorgeous. Completely different than home so everything was a marvel to us.

We had the privilege of staying at a house that sat right on the edge of a cliff. It was breathtaking. Sam is standing in the yard of the house. We were so close!!

After unpacking we hit the paths along the cliff and went exploring.

This was nestled in between the rocks. It looked like a tiny little village to me. So pretty.

Speaking of pretty, isn't he gorgeous!!?? Love this guy (:

The house we stayed at is the one in the very middle of those houses. 

Down around the corner of the house. Everything is so scraggly from the constant wind but still so beautiful.

Sam chilling out at the benches that line the paths. We were so fascinated with everything. We also explored the little town that night and enjoyed seeing so many different sights. We fell asleep that night to the waves crashing and the birds calling. So cool!