Originally we were going to camp at one of the state parks, but we ended up deciding to stay in an adorable little log cabin in a KOA campground. It was in a beautiful wooded area, had a super nice playground, had close access to Newport Beach, and, most importantly, it was HEATED, for those cool, damp Oregon nights.
Along the way, we were fortunate enough to be able to meet up with my dad's Aunt Donna and Uncle Bob at Multnomah Falls for a picnic and a little hike (it was wonderful to let the kids stretch their legs after so many hours in the car and great to see family).
The kids had so much fun discovering new things, and we found great joy experiencing the coast for the first time with our kids.
They were really sweet to each other the whole trip!
the famous Multnomah Falls
They were both so interested in everything!
Jackson the adventurer, as usual
So excited about the front porch swing at our little log cabin
Cute little cabin
The following were taken at Newport Beach, a couple blocks from where our cabin was (amazing blue skies, so unusual for the Oregon Coast!):
First time at the beach (other than lakes, haha)
Jackson couldn't get enough, he loved being chased by the waves (even though the water is sooooo cold!)
In contrast of the norm with Lilly, she was actually kind of cautious of the water
We also spent a lot of time at one of our favorite places on the Oregon Coast, Pacific City. My Aunt Patti's mom and dad live here, so we visited them and ate a fantastic outdoor lunch with them one day. They are usually who we stay with, but this time, with the kids and all, we just wanted to stay in the cabin, we thought it would be more fun for the kiddos. But we love Pacific City. Haystack Rock is just a gorgeous landmark, the cape is amazing, and the dunes are super fun to hike and run down.
Haystack Rock, a gorgeous piece of driftwood, and Cape Kiwanda
Jackson's favorite thing was exploring the tide pools...poor Lilly slept through it this first time, but loved it as well.
Every kid loves poking the anemone!
God is quite the artist!
More anemone
Climbing the dune (it's HUGE, so we never hiked it with Lilly, we just took turns with Jackson)
A little too adventurous for worried Mom here, I snapped a picture, then thought,
Wow, he is really too close to this huge cliff", and quickly snatched him away from it.
Wow, he is really too close to this huge cliff", and quickly snatched him away from it.
Can't beat the views from the top of the cape/dune
The best part....running/leaping down the dune!
Thank goodness for a waterproof camera, this little guy was hiding underneath an overhang
Watching the kitesurfers (definitely on my to-do list someday)
Back at our cabin, we enjoyed s'mores and campfires!
The Newport Bridge, watching people crabbing, and the science/research center:
(oops, didn't get this pic turned)
Yaquina Head
Yaquina Head Lighthouse (we didn't actually get to hike up in it because neither of the kids were tall enough)
Jackson and I hiked down to the Black Pebble Beach (one of my favorite places on the coast), Lilly was sleeping again!
Somewhere around the Depot Bay Area
We were lucky enough to see a whole pod of whales playing for quite awhile when we stopped here, but I wasn't able to get very good pictures, they are too fast! You can see one in this picture, right off the rocks.
A sunset bonfire on the beach and more s'mores
Jake found a ton of starfish when we were exploring tide pools again!
This is a viewpoint area near Canon Beach
Still can't believe the gorgeous sunny blue skies every single day we were there!
Cutie!
On the way back Uncle Bob and Aunt Donna offered us a place to stay for the night to break up our trip a little bit. We are so grateful for the opportunity to visit them in their beautiful home and have a HOME to sleep in and a tub to bathe the kids in (at the cabin we only had a shower). We were also thankful to eat a homecooked meal and spend some quality time with family. It was such an amazingly fun and relaxing trip, full of new experiences for the kids and the joy of watching their little adventures!
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