I just realized I made my photos too large on our vacation blog. For those of you who view it by email are fine, but those who see it from the blog itself, I will try to re-post later with smaller photos so they are not all cut off :-)
We just got home from our week camping trip to the Washington and Oregon Coast. Believe it or not, it was our first time there so we were both super excited to get the week started. Coming up to the start of the vacation, the weather did not look too promising, but since we were so excited to see the coast we did not want to change our plans at the last moment. We decided we would rather be at the coast while it was raining then at home all week in the rain.
We started our trip off at Ocean Shores (staying at Ocean City State Park). We got a later start on Friday afternoon than we had originally planned which put us behind schedule. We did not arrive at the park until after it was getting dark....not to mention it was down pouring. So we had to set up camp in the dark, pouring down rain. We were both completely soaked and the only word to sum up the night was MISERABLE. We took the dogs on a walk (again in the rain) in an attempt to find the bathrooms. After a walk down the muddy, flooded dirt path, we finally found them. We quickly made our way back to the tent, had a stiff drink and went to bed. I think we were both thinking we wanted to leave at that point and it was only the first night.
On Saturday we woke up and it actually wasn't raining, which was a huge relief. We quickly made our way to the beach to look around. Finally, we were having a little bit of fun. The beach was great and there was barely anyone around. We walked around for a little then decided to head into town to grab a few things at the store that we needed. By the afternoon, the sun was out and we came back and went straight down to the beach again. We had a few hours of enjoyment until the rain returned. We decided to take a drive into Ocean Shores to look around as well as find the laundromat to wash our soaking wet clothes and towels from the night before. That night we just hung out and watched DVD's because it was still RAINING!!
Sunday morning we woke up around 6:30am, took the babes on a short walk and decided since it wasn't raining at the moment we would start packing up camp and head down to our next destination. The LAST thing we wanted to do was take down camp in the pouring rain. So we did just that and totally lucked out that it didn't rain while we packed. After the car was packed, we took turns showering which felt better than any shower I have ever had. It is amazing what two days camping in the mud and rain can do to you. We tried to shower the night before but realized the showers took only tokens, not quarters and of course the ranger station was closed. So we had to postpone our showers to the next day.
Here are some pictures from Ocean Shores:
Campsite
Our first camping trip meal
Miss Lola guarding the tent
Lola with Daddy
Lola again!
Casey with Daddy
Me and my babies
Garrett and the babies
After we left Ocean Shores, we started our 2.5 hour journey to Cape Disappointment State Park (Long Beach area). Most of the drive we had rain, until we pulled up to the campground when the sun came out. I think that was a sign that this was going to be a much better experience for us. And that it was. We loved this campground. They let us drive around and pick our campsite before we booked. This site was much drier and larger than Ocean City. We had good vibes from the start. After we set up shop, we wanted to go see the lighthouses that are on the park grounds. We drove across the campground to where we thought the trail access was to the lighthouse, but after talking to another couple we discovered we were in the wrong place and that both lighthouses were hikes. We decided to postpone the lighthouses to the following day and hit the beach instead. Cape Disappointment beach was a short walk from our campsite. I LOVED this beach. It was much prettier than Ocean Shores (it also helped that it wasn't raining). We hung around for a while then decided to go back and start a fire (our first one of the trip...finally). We also needed to get back and celebrate Rusty's 9th Birthday. Oh yes...we still had a party even though we were away from home. We kept telling him the whole week trip was for his birthday so he felt pretty special.
On Monday, we took off to the North Shore Lighthouse. We didn't have to walk too far to see this one, and it was nice because it was a paved pathway so even though we were dirty, it could have been much worse. We decided not to go see the other lighthouse up close because it is an actual hike and we knew it would be a muddy disaster. So we decided the view from the campground was good enough for us.
Tuesday, before we packed up we wanted to go see the other beach that we had not been too yet. We took the dogs on the long walk there and it was great because the sun was out. The beach is names Waikiki (I only wish we were in Hawaii), but none the less, this beach was absolutely AWESOME. First off, it is a little private cove with the most drift wood I have EVER seen in one place. We spent quite a while here having a relaxing morning at the beach! After, we went back to camp and began packing for our next stop.
Pictures from Cape Disappointment:
Campsite
Lola guarding the tent again!
First fire!
Cape Disappointment Beach (North Head Lighthouse in the background)
Found this fort someone built on the beach
It was a little windy...look at Rusty's ears!!!
Trying to get a picture without his eyes closed or ears flopping :)
And again...
Cheese!!
"Mom...do you have to do this right now?"
LOL....he's so cute!
Finally...the handsome birthday boy!! (all I said was nummies and he got real serious)
Casey
Lola (with the sandy nose)
Running with daddy....(well they were really running towards me)!
North Head Lighthouse
Family shot
View from lighthouse
Trying to take a photo with the babies on Cape Dissapointment beach and of course Casey has to get into things...this is her up on the driftwood......
...and this is her after she fell between the logs
We finally got the shot
Lola giving daddy kisses while she is supposed to be posing for the picture!
Rusty's birthday party...yes...I baked a cake before we left-don't judge me :)
I let him take a small lick of the frosting
Their birthday bones (with a small piece of cake on each) Lola wanted all of them!!
Birthday boy!
His new babies!
Waikiki....I WISH!!!
Driftwood, driftwood, and MORE driftwood!!
Waikiki beach (cove)
Trying to get a jump shot
Wait for it....
Wait for it....
Wait for it....
YES!!!
This is my BEST idea yet!!!
Casey took home a souvenoir from Waikiki
Loves that new stick!
On Tuesday afternoon we left Cape Dissapointment and headed towards Fort Stevens State Park in Hammond, OR. This park is real close to Astoria, so we stopped in this town first. Out of all the towns we visted on our trip, we enjoyed Astoria the most. The bridge from WA to Astoria is super long and fun, and it helped that it was completely sunny and beautiful that day. While in Astoria, we of course had to take a look at the Goonies house in person. After this, we headed to Fort Stevens.
Again, at Fort Stevens, we drove around and selected our campsite. I swear....we got the BEST campsite in the entire park. It was huge, private, flat, and the best one we had our whole trip. We set up camp (again) and then of course headed to the beach to check it out. At Fort Stevens they have a historic ship wrecked boat on the shore, which was pretty cool. After we spent some time at the beach we headed back and hung out the rest of the night.
Wednesday we headed down to Seaside and Cannon Beach. We stopped at Seaside first and our day did not start out well. When we went to get the dogs out of the back of the car, Casey got away and ran off. Garrett luckily took off right after her and caught her a few blocks down the road. But for the few minutes when I thought we lost her forever, I was a complete wreck. After that episode, we finally headed down the boardwalk and down to the beach. We then headed down to Cannon Beach which is only a short drive away. We loved this beach, it was fun seeing Haystack Rock in person. After we explored awhile, we headed back to camp.
On Wednesday night, we had quite the excitement.....we awoke around 4am to 3 racoons trying to make their way into our tent. It all started when Lola woke me up. I couldn't quite tell what was happening, it almost sounded like there was a person outside trying to get into our tent. I quickly yelled for Garrett to wake up. He looked out the window to find the racoons right outside our door. We didn't have any food outside, so I am not sure why they were handing out like they were. We scared them off, but sure enough, they returned. Let's just say....Garrett and I didn't get much sleep after that. We were scared the coons were going to make their way in our ten! See the photo below of the sign they have posted around the campground....obviously, they come around quite a bit.
Thursday we made the decision to come home a day early. It was raining, cold, and windy. We were going to come home Friday morning anyway, so we just decided to pack up and come home so we could sleep in our bed! (and of course we were scared of racoons..hahahah).
Overall, we had a GREAT time despite the first few days of rain. It was nice to get away, and the babies LOVED it...they are completely exhausted!
Pictures from Astoria:
Goonie House
Fort Stevens:
Campsite
Fort Stevens Beach
Warship
Our footprints
The coon sign!!
Seaside:
Cannon Beach:
We had such a good time....we are so sleepy....
Exhausted!!
