Summer Vacation Time

Sometime during the early spring, the Grant family set out to plan a reunion trip to the Oregon Coast. We have looked forward to it since the moment it was finalized. So, on Saturday, July 18, we began the LONG car ride to Oceanside, Oregon. We had never been there and had no idea what to expect. We had explained to the kids that the water would be cold and the temperatures would be mildly warm at best. No one seemed to care - WE WERE GOING TO THE BEACH!



The drive was so much fun. Once you get out of Idaho (which was 108 degrees) and past the ugly (couldn't think of a better word to describe it) landscape of eastern Oregon the view is gorgeous. We had a great time in The Gorge. The Columbia River is beautiful and wide and big. I have found something I'd like to try - wind surfing. We saw hundreds of surfers on the river. When I'm bored with kayaking I'll try that. We stopped at Multnomah Falls and Bonneville Dam. That was it, though. We wanted to get to the BEACH! And we did with plenty of time to walk -with our jackets on - in the gale force winds. We may have needed our winter coats. And, why did we take up room with our swimming suits? BURR! By late evening everyone arrived and had settled into the awesome beach house which would be our home for the next week.



The next morning, 5:30 to be exact, we went out to look at tide pools. Katy and Trent stayed behind sleeping. Once we had arrived at the pools I wished I had dragged them out. Starfish, anemone, sea stars, shells, mussels, barnacles and rocks were everywhere. We, of course, touched them all. SPECTACULAR!!! We found a hole in the rocks to climb through that would lead us to more beaches and more beauty. We decided to do that the next day.



During the day we went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. Tillamook cheese is cheaper here in Broulim's than there, by the way. You can't believe how much cheese is going through there every day. After several trips through the sample line and ice cream cones, we were off to Cape Mears. The fog was too dense to see anything, but we can say we've climbed a lighthouse now. Sometimes you can see whales out in the ocean from there. We saw fog. A short walk took us to the Octopus Tree. Pretty funky. Then we were off to the "secret beach" which isn't that big of a secret because there is a stairway from a little parking area that goes down to the beach. I think a lot of people go there.



Later it was sandcastle building time. Check out the jackets. I gave up and left because it was freezing. The cold didn't seem to dampen the spirits of these castle makers. Aunt Susan was the expert - she had read all about it in a book. They stayed out forever.



Since watching the movie "Kindergarten Cop" I have wanted to visit Astoria. We weren't too far away and I wasn't about to pass up the chance. It is soooo cute. Trent and I had planned to go (it was our 20th anniversary) and decided to invite anyone along. Grandpa, Collin, McKenna, and Adri tagged along. Katy wanted to stay behind with the cousins. A friend of mine, who lives in Astoria, had emailed me and told me to visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum. It sounded interesting and so we went. We loved it. So glad I didn't skip that suggestion. Across the street from the museum is a boat on a trailer. It is home to the best fish and chips I have ever eaten. Two women make it in this squishy kitchen. The fish is fresh tuna. Doesn't taste at all like canned tuna and is pretty mild. That was a fun memory. I wanted to visit Fort Clatsop, the winter quarters of Lewis and Clark. Grandpa was pretty tired and so we drove through the parking lot. That is my only regret of the whole vacation.

Clamming. Done it. Remember it. Don't need to do it again. Gross. Yucky. Stinky. Sick. Ugly. Those are words to describe this adventure. But, the boys, Carly, and Kenna loved it. We went to Netarts Bay which smells of sewage ponds when the tide is out. The sand is black and slimy from the decaying "stuff" that lies at the bottom of the bay. That is really a pleasant description of it. Then, Kenna and Tanner cleaned them all - 87. Did they taste better than other clams? Nope. I'll take the clam strips at Skippers anyday. The crab that was caught tasted pretty good. The next morning, Kendall's family and McKenna headed out to do it again.

Collin received a skim board for his birthday. The beach was the perfect place to practice. He started getting the hang of it. After a few pointers by the "pros" he was even better. Perhaps we need to go back so he can practice. I think that's a good idea.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport was quite interesting. We found two very unusual crabs in the gift shop. lol. Grandma spent most of her time looking at the jellyfish. We enjoyed the sea lion demonstration and the cute otters. The otters gave us some great tips for cleaning clams.

Trent and I spent the day with the girl cousins - all four of them. A detour to Yaquina Head found the stinkiest birds ever. But, best of all, we found seals just hanging out and relaxing on the rocks inside a cove. They were delightful to watch. What a great life they have! Ahh to be a seal. After seal watching we went outlet shopping. Poor Trent waited at the car forever. We were gone a long time. He is so patient.

A big family hike turned out to be three people. Trent, Mom, and I hiked to Lookout Point. It was 4.8 miles of gorgeous greenery and beautiful blue water. I don't think I have ever seen anything so pleasing. We could see forever. We reached the point just in time; as we were heading back the fog rolled in and covered the point. Not much of a view after that.

A final pirate treasure hunt ended the fun at the beach. Clues were hidden under rocks, in drift wood, in the tunnel and sand. The treasure: more junk food and crazy glasses. FUN TIMES!

One week after arriving we headed home. I have talked to several friends who are amazed that all 18 of us could live together in one house for one week and still be friends. We are. We loved it. We had fun. Was it all we had imagined? Yes. It was that and more. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa. We will treasure these memories forever.