Seaside Trip

We headed out of Fruitland in the pouring rain on Thursday, the 2nd of June, and even got snowed on in the Blue Mountains! It rained most of our drive along the Columbia River, but did break for about an hour serendipitously while we were in the official Gorge Scenic Byway checking out some of the waterfalls (Horsetail, Multnomah) and enjoying the awesome view (Crown Point Overlook).

 

 

We needed a jump to get going again at Crown Point, and it started pouring again, so we got back on the freeway and went into Portland. Mark dropped me & the two older boys off at Powell Books while he took the two napping youngest and went to find an auto parts store. He replaced the van battery and was back to us in about an hour. Such a glorious hour it was for us in Powell's, we wish it could've been longer! But we were in need of dinner followed by still a couple more hours (3+ due to evil construction detour) driving to the coast.

We got pretty great weather most of the time we were in Seaside. My dad lives literally a couple houses away from the beach and had stocked his home with sand toys, and all sorts of other toys and goodies to keep the kids happy. (They were extra thrilled just to watch whatever was on the Soccer Network.) We didn't bring swim suits, expecting much cooler weather, but of course that doesn't deter some kids.

In addition to visiting the local beach a lot, we checked out the aquarium, loaded up on salt water taffy, and hiked around the gorgeous Ecola State Park including Indian Beach.

 

Before we could properly celebrate my step-mom's birthday on Sunday, she & I had a nice little side-trip up to Astoria to pick up her present. I loved exploring the attractive little town that sits right at the mouth of the Columbia where it enters the Pacific. Meanwhile the boys checked out the beach soccer tourney going on back at Seaside.

We left my folks' place on the 6th and headed down the coast to visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory and eat yummy grilled cheese sandwiches in their cafeteria. We then explored as far south as Lincoln City before turning inland to Salem where we got to visit with Mark's Aunt Bridgette and Uncle Carl (and their youngest son & his fiance). The next morning we decided to take a central Oregon route home. It was a sunny day and a beautiful drive past Detroit Lake, through Sisters and Prineville, and then east to the amazing painted hills in and around the John Day Fossil Beds.

I love road trippin' with my family!!