Friday, September 4, 2009

Oregon Coast

At the end of August the three of us were able to take a trip to the Oregon coast. We had a wonderful time and the weather cooperated the entire time. It was cool, but sunny. We started our trip in Pacific City and then drove north to Seaside and Cannon Beach.

The first half of our trip - Pacific City. This is a view of Kiawanda, the largest haystack rock on the Oregon coast

Self portrait at sunset


The sunsets were beautiful every night


Cape Kiwanda's giant sand dune and beautiful beach


Another view of the dune, the people climbing it provide some perspective to its size


Eric and Carmen bounding down the dune toward the ocean


This is what happens when you park on the beach and high tide approaches. They were able to get the van out but not without two tow trucks and a lot of effort


Eric talking with the lone stand-up paddleboarder in the surf


Heading north to Seaside we had to stop at the Tillamook factory...mmm espresso chocolate chip and Till-a-mint

On the lanai in Seaside at the Cove - thanks Aunt Barb and Uncle Jerry!


We were there less than ten minutes when we first spotted gray whales. They were feeding close to shore in the cove. Apparently they were spending quite a bit of time there to feed. By the evening we think we counted close to a dozen whales


"Show me your flukes!"


From Ecola State Park looking south to Cannon Beach and its haystack rocks


Self portrait


Playful on the beach; Carmen loved the sand and ocean


At the confluence where the Ecola Creek flowed to the sea; Carmen braved the surging tide to cool off with a little wading


Carmen's new friend, Duke, who is a corgi-German shepherd mix. His personality was amazingly similar to Carmen's



Breakfast on Seaside's Promenade and our last day on the Oregon coast