Oregon Coast Getaway

After the hard work we put in to making the 2nd Annual First Dam Pancake Run a success, we decided that we needed a vacation!  No kids, just Mike and Ali (or so we thought when we planned the trip... surprise!  Little baby was really already growing in mama's tummy)...

I have a relative with a cozy little cabin on the coast in Newport, Oregon, so we decided to take advantage of this opportunity, and spend a few days in scenic Oregon.

Right after the race, we set out for the coast!  Such a beautiful drive, and I took some of the most amazing photographs imaginable.  It turned out to be just what we needed.  So be prepared for LOTS of photos...

View from the porch right outside the cabin

 The cabin could not have been located at a more scenic location.  We had a view overlooking the ocean, and a view of the lighthouse.  The funny thing about this cabin, however, was that it was completely lopsided.  The foundation was literally sinking down the hillside, and eventually would probably topple down.  So when you walked in the cabin, it was a very odd feeling, since the floor sloped down toward the water.  You had to walk uphill to get to the bathroom and bedrooms.  A little terrifying, but still was a lovely place to stay!

Another gorgeous photo taken from the cabin porch.  You can see the lighthouse off in the distance.  The next door neighbor was quite friendly and had a birdhouse replica of the lighthouse.

It was quite windy most of the time we were there, so we had to wear our jackets to keep warm.

My handsome husband sees something cool :)

I think it was this bird...

Gorgeous flowers in the front yard

View of the neighbor's yard...

Next we went to visit the lighthouse nearby, called the Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Right by the lighthouse

Lots of birds, if you look closely at the rock... and consequently, lots of bird doo doo

another lighthouse shot

Hi sweetie!

Look closely at the water and you will see a sea lion head popping out of the ocean.

Another shot of my sweetheart.

More sea lions

My attempt at being an artistic photographer

 Next we decided to go to the aquarium nearby.  One funny thing that happened there... as we rounded the corner to walk up the pathway toward the entrance, I came face to face with a raccoon!  He was hanging out on top of a trashcan, and we were both startled as I came around the corner and the raccoon was right there, maybe a foot away from me!  I reached for my camera but was not quick enough to get a shot of him.  He did give me a small heart attack though.  I interrupted his meal scavenging so he probably was not too happy with me :)

 Here are a few cool shots from the aquarium:

Ah!  A shark!

spotted shark

Isn't he cute?

Mr. Sea Lion

Giant octopus!

Pretty cool!

creepy looking eel

I was about to capture another creepy eel photo and this creeper popped up on the other side of the glass out of nowhere!

Me posing with a nautical man

here comes the crab!

looks tasty!

Jellyfish

lots of tentacles

the better to sting you with!

Hi honey!

more cool jellyfish

A cool looking bird

Another cool looking bird

This is the bridge to get across the bay...

And here we are going over the bridge...

The handsome driver

little cave by the lighthouse

We took another lighthouse trip so that we could attend a tour.  It was quite fascinating to hear about the people who used to have to care for the lighthouse.  Now it is just an automatic light so no lighthouse crew is necessary anymore.  Good thing, because it was a dangerous job!

sketches of the design of the lighthouse.  The stairway was particularly intriguing

looking up from the bottom of the stairs

Hi love.

up at the top of the lighthouse

the lens

view from the top

sunlight coming through the lens

looking down at the stairs

so pretty!

 Now for a few sunset shots.  Breathtaking!

View at sunset from our porch

Another sunset shot...

The bright, crescent moon

Amazing colors in the sky

gets dark quickly as the sun sinks down in to the water

 Next I went on my very first mountain-biking adventure.  What a place to try it out!  We found the most amazing trails for riding.  I had a blast!

Mountain-bikers!

Woo hoo!

Look at me!

Dining out.  We had a LOT of seafood on our trip!

And a nice run on the beach!

With this guy...

Lighting not so great, but we tried to get a shot of the two of us

And... after a wonderful time on the coast, we have to head back to Utah.  I only wish the vacation could have lasted longer.  It was a long drive back, but all in good company, so not so bad.  I got to listen to this jokester the whole time:

Who me?

:)

Sisters, Oregon.  We had to snap a photo.

We even made a stop in this college town, where OSU is.  Snapped this photo for Jared, my bro, since he is attending OSU for an online degree.

 Awesome vacay.  Highly recommend the Oregon coast.  Just a little windy.  But great food, good biking, and gorgeous views.  Loved getting away with my sweetheart.

And nana and papa got to spend some time with the girls while we were away.  They sent this photo of the girls having fun on a train ride: