I just got back from four days at the Oregon coast which was fab-u-lous! My husband had to work, so it was just me and the kiddos, which is actually pretty nice and low key. (I do not yearn for the days when I couldn’t turn my back on them for fear of imminent danger.)
The cabin where we stay is owned by some former neighbors and is perfect. It has three bedrooms and furniture that’s run down enough to not make me worry that my sons will scratch an heirloom. The fact that it’s a block from the beach and is only $65 per night seals the deal.
One of the things that I really like about this particular beach is that however many times we visit, there’s always something a little different. One visit it may sport super low tides that reveal multiple tide pools teeming with hermit crabs, sea anemones and star fish; another time it’s wonderful forts made from driftwood.
This visit’s incredible phenomenon was an enormous flock of birds. Some were sitting at the shoreline, others were diving and swooping into the water. It was like standing in the middle of a nature documentary. (Or possible a Hitchcock film.) There were pelicans, sea gulls and a number of other species that I didn’t know the name of.
It really was awe inspiring.
We also drove down the coast one day to visit The Oregon Coast Aquarium. Although this drive took two hours in each direction, it was a gorgeous drive, and the time passed quickly. We stopped for lunch, and as seems to be my vacation curse, ate a horrible (a spoon is not supposed to be able to stand up in a bowl of clam chowder!) overpriced meal in a restaurant with a fabulous view. (My eyes started to smart when the $42 bill came — how can this happen when I only ordered the soup and salad?!) Oh well . . . it was the only meal we dined out and the excited reaction of my not-so-restaurant-savvy sons getting all excited when they misheard the waitress’ query of “soup or salad” as “souper salad” was priceless.
Man, do I love my kids!
Today the 11 and almost 14-year-old boys set off along the deserted beach in search of “adventure.” (They brought along the digital camera and a shovel — most important tools for junior adventurers!) I started to get worried when a couple of hours passed without a sign from them, but they returned with tales (and pictures) of dead sharks, a buried airplane wing and quicksand.
Adventure like that can’t be found in any brochure.
Sadly, we are now home, where adventures are not as easy to come by. Unless of course, you find endless loads of sandy laundry to be adventuresome.
Have you enjoyed some terrific Non-Consumer vacationing this summer? Please share your stories in the comments section below.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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Ha. I’m still in the days of not being able to turn my back on my kids, but my day is coming!
Glad you had a fun time.
My summer is just beginning due to being laid up the past 2 months with an injury….but in October, I plan to visit New Orleans and return back home with a friend and then we will take a trip to the beach on the Texas Coast.
Nature is such a wonder drug!
My husband and I planned a “surprise” trip to St Louis for our girls this summer. We told to save the date and what clothes to pack. In 3 days we went to an amusement park, the zoo and 2 museums. They loved it.
We’ll be taking a thrifty vacation to Portland tomorrow through Monday! I booked plane tickets and a hotel room back in June which saved us a TON of money. Our hotel has a kitchenette so we don’t have to eat out for every meal. And we are SO excited to go visit again – this will be our third trip to Portland in 2009!!
I did not actually take a vacation this year, but I did sort of piggy-back on my daughter’s. She stayed with her two sons in one of your mother’s beautiful cottages. I visited nearly every day. It was pretty low-key and relaxing. I get to see them only once a year, so it is a pretty big deal for me. As a former Sellwood resident, I really enjoy the neighborhood, too.
When I vacation on my own, and can save up enough, I spend more on the accomodations than the activities, because I feel like the surroundings are the vacation.
Our most fun this summer was discovering a sand flat on the ocean with live sand dollars. They are only white when dead….black and furry when alive. It was something very neat to see. Hubby stood out in the water for nearly an hour. We were more enthralled than the kids!
Katy!
I sure envy your days in the sun with your boys. My son is grown,(groan, whimper) I know you hear all the time,”Enjoy them while you can”, and that is gospel truth!!!
hugs, Judith
Road trip, 5 people, RV. Part of the sales pitch to me (by one of the other adults) is savings on food and lodging. I’m not sure it worked out that way. RV rentals do not come with free mileage then there’s the gas issue – 10 mpg is considered excellent.
It was nice to not have to check in and move luggage and it was nice to be able to move around while driving. (While common, this is not recommended procedure.)
This weekend we will be in Yosemite camping with 2 families. The only major cost is gas from the Bay Area, but carpooling has cut that way down. Past visits there have been cheap–14 bucks a night for a large campsite for all of us. Can’t wait for the beautiful trees!
Katy,
We just got back from one of the best campgrounds we’ve ever stayed at and we camp a lot in the Western Oregon area. It’s Fishermen’s Bend. It has all the nice campground amenities but with a better price than most others. It’s 23m east of Salem on the Santiam River.
And, if you’re down by the Oregon Coast Aquarium wanting the aquarium experience, head to the Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center. All the benefits of the Aquarium, minus the shark tube for a $10 donation. I much prefer it to the other. And it is all indoor.