Mini Oregon Coast Vacation

Our generous and thoughtful friends, Alana and Tom, invited us to spend a weekend with them near Winema Beach, Oregon. While the city was hot and sunny when we left, the coast was chilly and foggy.

A view from the deck.

The beach was eerily peaceful.

It wasn't until later that Zoe discovered sand didn't taste all that good.

The fog did not hinder our kite activities.

Look carefully. Do you spot someone in the distance?

After a closer investigation...

You'll spot Brad practicing his kite routine.

Our coastal vacation included a stop in Pacific City, Oregon. Known for Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area and its sand dunes, surfers and fishers, we spent a couple hours there before heading back into the city.

Zoe sampling Pacific City's sand.

Zoe running around Emily.

Zoe exhausted to keep going.

View of Cape Kiwanda.

Inhabitants of Cape Kiwanda.

Coastal Cavorting

We headed to the coast with some friends.

Tillamook Cheese Factory was our first stop. We sampled cheese curds, medium sharp cheddar and extra sharp cheddar. The squeaky curds reminded me of how much I miss the taste of fried cheese curds at the Minnesota State Fair. Fried, Cheese and Curds are three highly dangerous words on their own, let alone together.  Following Tillamook Cheese, we headed over to the Blue Heron Cheese Factory. I much preferred Brie over Cheddar. I'm American as the next guy, but Brie just taste divinely superior to Cheddar. To top, they have old farm equipment and petting animals at the Blue Heron Cheese Factory.

Retired farm equipment at the Blue Heron Cheese Factory

Llama asks you to recommend an orthodontist.

Shortly aftewards, we hopped on Highway 101 and took advantage of the many scenic viewpoint areas from Tillamook Bay, Oregon to Cape Disappointment, Washington.

Some locals enjoying Saturday fishing in the calm Tillamook Bay.

One of the many Highway 101 Viewpoints

Enough with the viewpoint stops. Let's see the landmark up-close.

Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach

Lost jellyfish. My tummy will be your new home.

Speaking of food, authentic seafood shack at the Ecola Seafood Restaurant & Market, Cannon Beach, Oregon

The Astoria-Megler Bridge spans across the Columbia River. The longest continuous truss bridge in North America is surprisingly narrow.