Oregon Coast

Was up late last night taking care of business I haven't had time to work on for a while.

Furniture moving details for Pagosa. Singing Time prep for next Sunday. Smelly Spartan race laundry.

Its been a non-stop busy week and with 

church, the race and fun at Duncan and Kristin's, it was a busy Sunday. 

This morning I got up early to ride, do the dishes, take out the trash, clean out the fridge, water the plants -- you know, all the leaving out of town stuff. 

But I'd perfectly timed my morning to get everything done, because I'm awesome that way.

But when we made the turn off to the airport exit, arriving exactly 55 minutes before take off,

I realized I'd forgotten my wallet. With my driver's license in it.

Our driver turned around, Marty was home and available to meet us halfway with my purse,

we made the handoff in a gas station parking lot and 40 minutes later had made it through security and were RUNNING to our gate. Unbelievably, we made it. 

And Dan wants it noted he didn't get stressed or upset one time.

We have no itinerary for our week on the Oregon Coast 

except for a few hikes and restaurant possibilities. So here we go!

We decided in the car on the way to the airport (before things got tight)

that we'd drive from Portland to Cannon Beach and down the Coast.

Had lunch just outside Portland at Mr. Bento's hamburger joint in shopping center and it was delish.

First adventure was pulling over at a U-pick for blueberries.

Cannon Beach is a charming, walkable town and I definitely would like to go back and stay. 

If we had to do it again, we would have gone up to Seaside and driven through that town too.

Tillamook was a great stop and the self-guided tour was great

(walking from window to window on a viewing deck). 

Our favorite part was watching the huge blocks of cheese get sliced into 5 lb blocks.

Then we went to the gift shop and bought yogurt, cheese curds, aged cheese, smoked cheese and toast.

And over the course of the next few hours ate A LOT of cheese and blueberries.

We detoured off the 101 after Tillamook so we could stay close to the coast. 

When we glimpsed gorgeous views of the coast through the trees we turned back to a trailhead we'd just passed hoping to find a lookout. Hiked a ways with no real clearing (the woods are thick here!) and after meeting a few people who'd hiked for an hour and still didn't hit the end, we turned back.

But not complaining about the beautiful walk to stretch our legs.

On the drive down we saw two bald eagles, pelicans and seals.

Also an airplane museum that was closing in 15 minutes or else we would have stopped. 

Salishan Lodge is in the woods on the east side of the 101 near Gleneden Beach.

The cafe overlooks a gorgeous expanse of grass butting up to the driving range.

Picnic tables, corn hole, rocking chairs, outdoor couches, fire pits surrounded by adirondack chairs.

People filling every spot with their families eating, playing board games or talking around the fire.

After dinner we turned on the fire in our room to warm up and ate 

A LOT more cheese and blueberries for dessert!