Oregon 2018, Part III: The Coast. MOAR OF IT.

You guys: I was going through old posts and just realized I published exactly ZERO pictures from our last Kansas trip. That’s just… not cool. So I’m gonna post this thing, because I already prepped all the pictures, but after this I’m skipping the other content I have (like Moose’s birthday and Halloween and stuff) and I’m going to try to do my best to get at least a short Thanksgiving post up because that is nuts.

Anyway.

Back to the Oregon coast! Those children, they were up bright and early the day after the Heatwave from Hell, people. I didn’t get so much private time that day…

God bless Safeway cinnamon rolls is all I gotta say – made those kids happy at breakfast time (Scott and I indulged in Tillamook yogurt, more on that later…).

Also coffee, sweet coffee.

I mean. It was kind of a lazy morning.

(Screens, is what I’m saying.)

(I mean I was pretty much the only one not on a screen except I was walking around like a creeper with my camera so it probably wasn’t a lot different honestly.)

Here’s the boys’ room, by the way! Peter told me recently it was really comforting. Moose meanwhile told me it was “scary”.  Welp. Can’t win them all.

Eventually we banished all screens to their respective chargers and headed down to play on the beach some more.

(In case you were wondering: yes. I could not decide among black-and-white, blue/green washes, or red/gold vintage washes. So sue me.)

So we noticed this secret cave thing, after awhile? We might have been the last tourists on the beach to figure it out. Whatever. It was pretty cool though.

Headed back because: Starvinggggg.

LUNCH. YASSSS.

Before we got there we were told about Hector, the resident seagull, and finally he showed up. Linus was very enamored of him and fed him lots of cheese. Hector did not complain.

After lunch we decided to drive back to Tillamook to check out the local town sights.

Which pretty much meant: the cheese factory.

After the tour and samples, sweet samples: we were deposited into the Gift Shop (how handy…) where I bought way too much jam, sea salt, chocolate, and a few toys. Like a Tillamook Cheese semi truck, that Moose still finds most dear. After our tour we headed out to stand in line outside for their famous ice cream, and Moose drove that Tillamook semi all over the ledges of the ice cream line.

We all ordered Junior Dips (smart move we have found in life: get the kiddie size) and got a mudslide, a marionberry, hazelnut salted caramel, and Oregon summer fruit. All pretty solid.

After our Tillamook adventure we hit up a few thrift stores nearby, then stopped at another grocers in search of local seafood and Tillamook coffee yogurt (total dud on both fronts).

So then we drove home, because: not the best of weather, to be honest.

Back at the A-frame, Peter and Scott wanted to chill on the deck. Linus and I, however: we were antsy to fly a kite. So off to the beach we went, kite in tow.

So, funny thing. It was kinda windy most of our time on this trip, but that evening? Nope. Barely a breeze of any kind. Which normally would have been ideal, but on a day where we were flying a kite? Great, just GREAT.

Moose did not seem to notice or care, however, and ran like a crazy person up and down the coast, flying that thing against all odds. You go, little dude.

We ran and ran until we could run no more, then folded up our kite and headed back. On our way we passed this total beach bum surfer dude, who made a point to stop us and tell us how impressed he was with Linus’ speed and ability to keep that kite in the air, he said he and his friends were cheering him on. LOLOLOL. So, there: some validation for our effort.

Another evening, another night eating frozen pizza for dinner. C’est la vie. At least we weren’t melting to death this go around. We chilled and after the kids went to bed, I did a pre-pack and mourned the fact that we were spending out last night at this lovely A-frame rental.

The next day we headed down to the beach as usual but stopped for some breakfast at the Blue Agate Cafe for the first time ever. Seemed appropriate to end our time in Oceanside with some brunch at a local gem, and it didn’t hurt that it was right there off the beach at a place we passed on our walk to the beach every day.

Bring on the breakfast, yo.

Coffee thief.

I got the crab cakes breakfast thing and they did not disappoint, guys.

After a nice, filling breakfast (and a purchase of a coffee mug) we walked out the front door and down to the beach for our last time (sob sob).

Luckily we didn’t have to be out of the A-frame for several hours, so we made the most of our last time at the beach.

Finally, finally: we reluctantly made our way back up to the A-frame and made our good-byes with the space.

This is one of the last pictures I took, after locking the place up and packing up the car and stretching out every last moment. And it’s the background on my phone and work laptop and I just love this final glance out back, is what I’m saying.

And off we went. Portland, here we come.

With beach-soaked Peter shorts drying on the front interior, I mean naturally. Because: KIDS.

The Portland adventures will be coming in hot, although admittedly: after the Thanksgiving trip. Thanks for hanging, friends. More to come shortly, I promise.