Our New Life on the Oregon Coast Forever: Part Three

I say “new life” as we pack the entire beach house today and begin the three-day journey home tomorrow. Ha! Oh.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

So – week three in Oregon! And it’s another massive post because I’m just awful at narrowing down photos and trimming the fat. I have to show you everything! IS THAT SO BAD?

Don’t answer that, Aaron.

Week three was especially special (say that three times fast) because my in-laws and sister-in-law flew out to join us and see what all the fuss was about! And we showed them. Oh, we showed them.

That’s Aaron’s dad Gary pointing to our mountain (I feel like I can call it that by now) and telling Shea that we all had plans to climb it. To which she promptly responded, “Nu uh, brah.” Or something like that.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

They arrived on a Friday afternoon, just in time for a quick beers cheers in their minimal, breezy, light peachy hotel room on Laneda (right across the beach – they know how to do it) and walk the strip up to the Farmer’s Market. Being Father’s Day weekend, there was quite a next-level energy to the town that’s not been there this whole month. But not overly crowded! Still manageable. This is why we chose Manzanita, yo.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

After we picked up salmon collars (at least I didn’t say neck) and spicy jams, we took them to our favorite little spot, Bread and Ocean to soak up some sun rays while talking about all the popular Oregon breweries. We’re so hip! Not really.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

The next day we started at Left Coast Siesta for Mexican grub, a charming house and deck situation with window boxes bordering the edges and string lights above. Just adorable. And good food!

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

Except they have weird hours. This is something I’ve learned about Oregon in general. Business hours are ALL OVER THE PLACE. Nothing is predictable like in K.C. It’s all so random here. 5:27pm to 8:13pm Tues – Thursday. Or 10:30am to 2:45pm Sundays and Fridays. 11:87pm to 12:98am every 47th eye blink. Come on, Oregon!

You’re still pretty, though.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

After lunch Gary and Aaron took the kids to a ukulele workshop at the library, and Shea and I were like, pass. So we meandered and shopped. And eventually, and I have no idea how it happened, ended up at the Manzanita winery. It was out of my control, really!

We had the loveliest afternoon, until the rest of the gang found us and crashed our date. But they ordered truffle parmesan popcorn, so we forgave them. Eventually.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

The next day we ventured slightly south to Cape Meares, to see the famous Octopus Tree in person. I’m sorry, but look at that thing. Nature is weird, you guys.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

I have a thing for lighthouses (and stained glass. I’m spiraling into an unexpected obsession for stained glass. It actually started about this time a year ago, and I look for it everywhere we go, but have never purchased any. That’s really all I have to say about that.)

Mainly my thing for lighthouses is to sing “I’LL BE YOUR CANDLE ON THE WAAAATER” from Pete’s Dragon as loudly as possible with or without human beings around. Love lighthouses. Freaking love them. Look at this stunner!

The lighthouse is cute, too.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

The trek down to the lighthouse and back is stupid beautiful. There’s just no way to describe the spectacular-ness of it all. Ocean forever one way, crazy jagged cliffs with fog dancing at the top the other way, dense forest another way.

And Gary and Shea the other way. Ha!

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

LOOK AT THAT.

LOOK.

AT.

THAT.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

It’s like The Wizard or Oz and Twilight had a baby and named it Oregon.

. . . I’ll never be forgiven for that one.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

After our mini hike, we drove into Oceanside (the charm of that tiny cliff-side town should be illegal.) for an official seafood-heavy Father’s Day lunch at Roseanna’s. I wish I could take credit for researching and discovering this quaint restaurant by the sea, but a couple of Manzanita locals gave me the inside scoop on this gem, so I went by gut!

And the gut did not disappoint, holy faces.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

We sat by the window and watched a handful of surfers “catch some waves, brah” over and over. But I felt like they were way too far out in the water and should be safer because sharks.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

Crab cakes and steamer clams were out of this world. If you’re ever in the Oceanside area, pop in for a beer and these two appetizers. TRUST ME with your liiiiiife.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

Oceanside, stop being so cute. You’re making the rest of us look hideous.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

This is the beach in Oceanside. What I’ve discovered about myself is my love for all the ROCKS along the beaches. Oregon has a thing about putting mammoth boulders and rocks along the beaches, and I’m just obsessed with the ragged ruggedness of it all.

Ragged Ruggedness. We’re starting a band.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

We made our way back into Tillamook to meet up with Carolyn who was just arriving, but first we stopped by Blue Heron for a quick Llama petting (not me) and some cheese and wine tastings (definitely me). Cute place! It’s like a way more sophisticated French Cracker Barrel.

. . . I’ll never be forgiven for that one.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

After a failed attempt at visiting the Tillamook creamery (um that place is ridiculously busy and no.), we made our way back to Kelly’s Brighton Marina for dock crabbing! (No boat this time. Nat made absolute sure of that.)

The men and kiddos and seagulls sat together and docked for crabs, while the girls . . .

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

Oh wait, I forgot I had this photo in between. Buoys are cool, don’t you think?

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

. . . this! Sun, gossip, beers and yes Carolyn’s wearing my visor. YOU CANNOT ESCAPE IT.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

After crabbing (this has a been a long day, are you feeling it?) we made our way back to our house to show Carolyn the ocean and our mountain (totally feel like I can call it that by now).

And the tide pools. Had to look for strange little sea creatures in the tide pools and proclaim the discoveries in our best Peppa Pig accents.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

That night we made a really fabulous Father’s Day shrimp scampi dinner, and I’m sorry but this photo sums up Aaron’s and Carolyn’s relationship. Siblings for nearly 40 years (since they were like, 3 or 4) and I can’t remember what was happening here but it’s just so THEM.

I love it so much.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

Next day we took everyone to Cannon Beach, but on the way we obviously had to stop for the highway view. I can’t get over this one little stretch of scenic bliss. And I love that Gary turned his Manzanita cap around backwards to get the perfect shot. YA DO WHAT YA GOTTA DO, BRAH.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

Haystack Rock selfie!

It’s a part of life, just love it.

And yes Carolyn and I have the exact same Uniqlo raincoat (that actually so many of you have asked about! Here it is, buttercups.)

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

After Haystack, we popped into Pelican Brewery for a spot of lunch. (not sure why I said it all British like.)

I WILL SAY out of complete honesty – totally overpriced for what it was. I didn’t hate it, but I also wasn’t blown away. Good pub food. Not good pub food prices.

The clams were manif! The rest? Eh, okay.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

I love this photo of Carolyn and Shea. I full expect it to be blown up, framed and hanging in both of your houses by the time we visit next!

Just kidding.

Maybe.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

Sea Level Baker in Cannon Beach! ADORABLE. Just a tiny walk from the water, this A-frame oozes simple charm.

And the decaf cappuccino (hey it was like 4 in the afternoon, go easy on me) was divine.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

Want to sit there forever.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

Or here. Which we did. Until they closed and kicked us out.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

One more photo of Haystack and I swear I’m done forever.

And yes they’re tall, long legged teenagers HOW DID THIS HAPPEN.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

That evening we ended our joint family portion of the trip at Big Wave, where Will promptly fell asleep in Shea’s arms (poor kid was exhausted) and Nat got to go back into the kitchen with Marky Mark and make her very own sundae, for free! The dude was like, “She’s being so patient and sweet. Can I give her sugar?”

Sure, Marky Mark. I don’t know what you mean by that but you absolutely can.

(if you saw my Stories you know EXACTLY what I mean.)

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

It’s not in front of a mountain or a beach, but it’ll do!

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

The next day, we went HIKING.

And I truly mean HIKING. Like, HIKING UP A REAL MOUNTAIN.

Yes, Will. A “for real” mountain. Ready?

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

I mean . . .

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

Real life.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

I might have sung “CLIIIIMB EVERYYYYYY MOUNTAAAAAAIN” from The Sound of Music the entire time super loud with or without human beings around.

Carolyn loved it.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

So Nat discovered that heights are her worst enemy, so she and Aaron meandered back down the mountain and picked salmonberries (that I was convinced would be poisonous and kill us all), while Carolyn, Will and I kept climbing on up. WILL LOVED IT. I was shocked. In total we went a little over a mile up, and then a little over a mile down. So not the whole thing. But it was enough to call a hike! And I’ll take it.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

Is this Spanish moss? Or the inside of Dr. Seuss’ brain?

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

“Look, Will! I found a snail shell!”

Me, “DON’T PUT THAT IN YOUR MOUTH.”

Aaaand motherhood in one sentence.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

After our hike, we rewarded ourselves with a quick trip to the Nehalem Bay Winery. Which sounds luxurious and relaxing, but they’d just sprayed (or spread?) fertilizer across the field, so it smelled like poop. Like everywhere, every breath. Cow poop.

So bad that Will teared up and sobbed, “THIS IS A STINKY COW POOP RESTAURANT AND WE HAVE TO LEEEEEAVE.”

Ohhhh the memories we made.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

Next day, we took Carolyn to Short Sand beach so that Aaron could prove himself to be a pro surfer!

And that he did.

The surfer part.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

Not exactly the pro part.

But look at him go!

At least I think that’s him.

Crap, is it?

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

Water, sand, rocks, cliffs and trees, all in one place.

Only you, Oregon.

Oregon Coast / Bev Cooks

And that’s a wrap on week three! I’ll be posting our final week (hello, Portland) once we’re back home in Kansas City, and I’ve had time to sleep, read my book, exfoliate my face (it’s been a month!), ship the kiddos to summer school and start some laundry.

Also, that rosé is fabulous. Find it.

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10 Responses to Our New Life on the Oregon Coast Forever: Part Three

  1. Melanie June 27, 2019 at 3:30 pm #
    Looks incredible! Living my past life. Used to always surf at short sands than drive to get the most giant burritos afterwards at the mexican place =) I live in CT now, and it was cool reading about your travels last year, and even more fun reminiscing of my time on the West (best) coast with your travels this year. Enjoy!!
  2. Jenn June 28, 2019 at 10:41 am #
    LOVE your posts. Looks so beautiful and relaxing.
  3. Nancy June 28, 2019 at 11:53 am #
    Dang, Aaron sure looks like his Dad! And I'll just let you know, you've convinced me to visit the Oregon coast!
  4. JC Crosser June 28, 2019 at 8:33 pm #
    This is the epitome of annoying Oregon coast tourists.
    • Em June 29, 2019 at 8:59 am #
      And now we hear two-cents from JC, a transplanted Californian who think they now have the right to judge others who visit our state. You rock, Bev! Thank you for visiting Oregon. Come again anytime.
  5. Aaryn July 1, 2019 at 9:37 am #
    Gosh darn, I love Oregon. I grew up there for 26 years, and, as of two years ago this month, am now currently transplanted in the California desert. The things you do for love, right?! I truly get excited seeing people enjoy Oregon so much. I have LOVED getting to live vicariously through you as you go to all these places that I’d always taken for granted (I’m not crying you’re crying!) living in. Thanks for sharing, Bev!
  6. Elisabeth October 14, 2020 at 2:38 pm #
    The photos are simply amazing! These waves are just perfect for water sports. I am a fan of kitesurf, I have already bought all the necessary equipment for my favorite activity, it remains only to buy kitesurf harnesses, but this can be done here https://easy-surfshop.com/kitesurf-harnesses without any problems. Now is the time to have a good rest, while the weather still allows you to do it
  7. Joseph January 10, 2021 at 8:48 am #
    That's great, thanks for sharing. Travel is really very inspiring. It is very important to engage in life that fills you with emotions. I'm currently reading a book by robert parfet, and it's amazing, I want to plan a new hike faster
  8. Mary June 6, 2023 at 7:46 am #
    When I lived in the US for a month for work, my company provided me with a travel router and rented me a car from a popular service. I can give their contacts and a website where you can find more info. In general, I am satisfied with the car and the rental conditions.
  9. Laura June 6, 2023 at 7:47 am #
    When I lived in the US for a month for work, my company provided me with a travel router and rented me a car from a popular service. I can give their contacts and a website where you can find more info. In general, I am satisfied with the car and the rental conditions.

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