Vacation to the Coast!!

We were due for a much needed vacation.  When our friends Lorin and Dorene Tanner came to visit they invited us to go to their property on the Washington Coast.  So after some planning we decided to drive across to the Red Wood Forest, and make our way up the coast to meet them.  Our biggest mistake was not realizing how long it would take to drive to everything. I wish we would have planned at least one, maybe two more days.  We had planned to meet up with our friends Wendy and Val Shumway at Florence where they now live, but we got there so late we just went to the hotel.  Wendy was nice enough to come visit with us, it was so nice to see her and get caught up.  Next time we will have to plan better so we can enjoy some of the sights on the way there more, it was so beautiful.

Red Wood Forest!  This is where the lens on the camera broke. Yes at the very beginning of our trip. The rest of the pictures were taken with Bryant’s crappy camera, and the Ipod.  Oh well, we got a lot of pictures. 

Stopped at Newport.  The kids were not big fans of the docks.  They stunk to much for their liking. 

You have to stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory for some ice-cream.

Quick Stop at beautiful Cannon Beach to play. Wish we could have stayed longer, but we were on our way to meet up with the Tanners.

Found the Tanners at the Astrodome, in Astoria.  We then got a short ride on the Trolley (they were done for the night), ate dinner, and went on our way to across the Astoria bridge to where their property was at North Cove.  We stopped to get some birthday cupcakes for Bryant’s 10th birthday.  The picture didn’t turn out from his little birthday celebration.  

Playing at North Cove, also known as Wash Away Beach.  The current has changed in this area so every year they come back, and about 2 blocks of roads, homes, trailers, what ever is left over the winter is washed out to sea.  It is one of the craziest things I have ever seen.  I'm glad we went before their property is gone.  I just hope the current changes before it's gone.

We thought this starfish was quite the find, until we went to the tide pools. 

When we went to the tide pools, there were hundreds of starfish everywhere.  Lorin said he has never seen so many in one place.  It was so awesome.  

We thought slugs and snails were quite the find, until the end of our trip.

Touring a lighthouse on the way to Westport.  

Quick stop and hike at Multnomah Falls on our way home. We all hiked to the top with minimal complaining. I’m pretty sure James was caring Chloe and or Ethan for most of the hike.  

Thanks Tanners for inviting us, and being such great hosts.  It is always fun to visit places with people who know the area so you can get the best of everything.  It was a very memorable trip.