Long Beach {Day 1 & 2}

A year ago I booked a vacation with our time share for the last week in June on the Oregon coast {Depoe Bay.} Months later I got pregnant and my due date was the last week in June. Go figure. I was able to reschedule our vacation for the last week in May but in a different location {Long Beach, Washington.}

School got out on Friday the 20th and we left for the coast on Monday the 23rd. Perfect way to start summer if you ask me! Due to Kurt's insanely busy spring it was questionable if he would be able to go with us. He promised for months that things would slow down by then and it would not be a problem to come. Well things didn't slow down and it was slightly a problem but as always he kept his promise and was able to come. I am grateful that he puts his family first and keeps his promises. I appreciate your sacrifice on our behalf.

Monday, May 23rd
Travel day. Got out of town at a good time. Made good time. The kids traveled well. My RLS {restless leg syndrome} made traveling fun. We had more pit stops than usual. Most notable stop was Multnomah Falls. Seriously, this is THE most beautiful stretch of freeway in all of America.




racing to burn some energy






It was a fun little hike for an amazing view of the waterfall. I wouldn't mind stopping if every stop was equally gorgeous!


Spencer happy to be at our timeshare and out of the car.

Tuesday, May 24
Weather wise this was the best day we had. While the wind still blew incessantly the sun was shining {and it wasn't raining!} It's the Oregon/Washington coast. You expect cold, wind, and rain year round and plan accordingly. First thing on our agenda was to get down to the beach!




Spencer's self portrait in the sand.



Our next adventure was the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and Cape Disappointment Light house. We figured the clear skies made it the best time for viewing the gorgeous sights from the lighthouses.


We reached the end of the continent.


The view from the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center {lighthouse in the background and the only proof that I was on the trip.}



The museum was great, and very interactive for the kids.

Top Left: Emma pointing out that the buffalo are stop, dropping and rolling for the fire in the painting. Top Right: notes from Captain Lewis' log. Bottom Left: Austin looking through the gun scope at animals the crew hunted along the journey. Bottom Right: Spencer trying to balance his canoe with items he needed for the trip.

We hiked to Cape Disappointment Light house from the museum. It was a dense, beautiful forest and a good little hike {especially for those of us wearing flip flops.} I think light houses are cool and the view always worthy of the effort to get there.



So I found the name of the Light house to be very interesting. Apparently the location of this light house was not very effective and many ships met their end on the sharp cliffs. Later another light house was built a few miles north and this proved to be a better combination.




view from the light house of the museum {and cliffs.}

That afternoon we had to get back on the beach!


While the water was warmer than I thought it was going to be it was still cold. Not like the kids even comprehended it. I love these super-happy faces!





This little one keep chattering stories about sharks biting off her limbs so she didn't go anywhere near the water. We did a lot of this...



And some of this...



the unsuspecting gull had no idea.


Life is good on the beach.