Quick videos

We've been busy here along the Oregon coast so I decided that uploading a view videos was an easy way to share some of what we've been up to while exploring the BEST coast. 

You guys, Susan is SO DRAMATIC

We climbed kind of a rugged trail today at Samuel H. Boardman State Park.

She acts like she's old(er) or something!

To make up for the rugged hike, we did an easier, long hike through the redwoods! :)

A good feel for how large these trees were

Newport to Bandon

Newport didn't have a ton going on (we just used it as a stopping point for getting further down the coast without spending just hours in the car in one day), but it did have a Pig 'N Pancake location. We'd seen these spotting the coast and I just had to try it. We weren't disappointed. It was like a local IHOP and I love a good breakfast when I'm on vacation.

Pig N' Pancake- a local chain

We headed from Newport to Seal Beach.We did not see any seals because I refused to pay $14 to get down in a smelly cave with them. HA! :) The views from the observation deck were fine by me!

Seal Beach

Oregon's coast is dotted with massive rocks

Another view of Seal Beach

Takin' it all in

The seals are below this area in a cave

From there we headed to the Oregon Dunes State Park to hang out for a bit.

It was a massive dune!

Susan climbing the dune

The view from the top

Proudly made it to the top

The dune ends into a forest!

A little windy up there

A look out towards to ocean

Pano.

We climbed around there and watched people try to ride boards down the hills for a bit before heading to Bandon for the evening.

Room with a view!

The windsock showing just how windy it was!

Their lighthouse

Bandon's beach was lovely and empty!

We loved the hole in the middle of this large formation

Feet in the Pacific

Formation again

A windy walk on the beach

Even Mr. Bird was taking a break from battling the wind!

Missing my puppy girl!

We finally stopped subjecting ourselves to free microdermabrasion courtesy of Mother Nature and her wind and headed in for dinner. We ate at a local Italian restaurant, Angelo's Italy, that got great reviews on TripAdvisor. It was SO good. SO GOOD! We shared this amazing Caprese salad and both got great entrees, too. Susan enjoyed her glass of wine from the Oregon wine valley and it was just lovely. There was even a guy playing live music. Sign me up for a trip to Italy!

Italian night!

That water isn't warm!!!

Dipping my feet in the Pacific... 

Astoria to Newport

Astoria is a lovely town. We got up early-ish Monday morning and I worked for an hour before we headed out to explore. We saw what we thought was a lighthouse as we entered town and then realized it was too far inland to be a lighthouse and it turns out it was the Astoria Column. We decided to pay it a visit.

A pretty driveway in Astoria

The view of Astoria

Susie trying to get in the canoe

I love the trees!! 

A pretty view of the winding road up to the Column

The Astoria Column

The view from the top

While we didn't buy a glider plane to release from the top (mainly because I wasn't getting close enough to the edge to let it go- ha!), we did get to the top, see the sights and then hurry (me) down to the serenity of the ground. :)

It was a short drive from there to Canon Beach the popular area where The Goonies was filmed!

Canon Beach

Haystack Rock

Lunch with a view

Amazing food at Mo's

I'd read that a place called "Mo's Chowder House" had some amazing food so we stopped in. The patio was right on the beach and the food was excellent. Score! After a large lunch we decided a walk on the beach made good sense.

Beach walk

Susie couldn't pass a chance to climb up

Neither could I.

Even the non-water side of the beach was lovely

The beaches aren't exactly layout worthy (in my opinion), but they're awesome for walking along!

The view from the drive down the shore...AMAZING.

We stopped for drinks along the way and noticed that at McDonald's in Oregon a dollar does actually buy a drink. (I get that no one else probably cares but to a taxation person this was a fun receipt!)

NO SALES TAX!!!
A DOLLAR DRINK IS ACTUALLY A DOLLAR!

We made it to Newport and had a relaxing evening complete with an early bedtime!

Seattle to Astoria

We got up and grabbed a delicious hotel breakfast (that never happens to kudos to Hyatt!) before going to church. I'd read about a large church that had a satellite campus near our hotel so we walked about a mile to attend City Church.

Communion.

It is actually a massive church in the 'burbs of Seattle, but their downtown location was pretty small and welcoming. It was an interesting sermon and we really enjoyed it. We got very tickled because it was July 24th and the pastor said, "SUMMER IS FINALLY HERE!" He meant it. We had another lovely day and strolled around for a bit before heading out.

No Meredith Grey sightings... 

We grabbed our rental car just outside of town and headed for Astoria. We took the scenic route which added about 30 minutes, but it had lovely view of Mt. Rainier.

The view from the road

Susan attempting a selfie

The result.
HAAAA!

Very pretty views from the car.

We made it to Astoria with no issues in the mid-afternoon. We got checked in at our hotel and then hit the riverwalk to stretch our legs and enjoy the gorgeous day.

Our hotel was literally under the famous bridge

A lot of logging is done here in OR

The little town of Astoria- adorable!

We got cleaned up and walked about a mile down to a local restaurant called "Baked Alaska" which I'd read about online. It was awesome.

The restaurant--cool, huh?!

Dinner with a view

Susie with our amazing cauliflower appetizer

Crab mac-n-cheese...AMAZING.

We shared the cookie skillet.
I regret nothing and everything all at once.

Thank goodness we walked there because we needed to get some steps after that amazing meal. We'd certainly recommend it if you're ever in the area.

Sunset in Astoria

The night brought a chilly wind and we scurried back to the hotel as quickly as we could. Where did our gorgeous summer temperatures go?! We retired early so that we would be ready for the next day of exploring!