Highlight #3 - Oregon Coast

Mike and I really wanted to take our kids on a real family vacation this year where we would all have fun, and after much thought, we decided to drive to Newport, Oregon. We had so much fun! Peter was so excited to get to the ocean on our way there. On our way, after an 8 hour car ride, we stopped at a camping spot by the Columbia River and set-up our tent for the night. Peter was so excited to play in the water and tiny beach for about 20 minutes. The next day he thought we were going home and that he had already played in the ocean. The world is so big to a 4-year-old! When we finally arrived in Newport, we camped several days and played and played at the beach, went to the aquarium there, visited lighthouses, discovered tide pools, watched boats, seals, and sea lions, and flew our kite. The last couple nights we stayed in a hotel and swam in the pool, ate lots of ice, and explored the hotel. It is so fun to be on vacation with kids and see the world through their eyes. Here are some pictures.


This is at Cobble Beach...while Dad and Peter explored in the tide pools, Elsie communed with the cobbles.

This was the lighthouse we didn't go up. It was pretty disappointing. I had geared Peter up all month talking about lighthouses and watching Pete's Dragon....only to find out there was a height restriction. Sigh. It was pretty to look at, at least.

We heard the Oregon coast is the only place where all colors of starfish - red, orange, and purple - co-habitate. I thought this picture was kind of neat, seeing them all together.


Mike is an explorer - he's not afraid of anything and is handy at just about everything. He even talked me into picking up a starfish.

Kite flying at its finest.



Peter loved using the Kelp as a "laso".

Here is Elsie, enjoying the sand as only she can. She was always such a mess.

In the Newport Aquarium, they have this area where you are encircled in the aquarium and can see the fish all around. Elsie showed Peter how fun it was to look at the glass on the floor. I just needed some orange cones to set around them for those passing by.


Ummmm....Lollipops!

Peter LOVED to chase the waves. We spent a lot of time running along the beach. It was a lot of fun!