Newport, Oregon Day 5: Samuel Spots a Seal (or five)

Day 5 was our last full day in Newport, although I’m sure it feels as though we were there a lot longer thanks to the speed at which I’ve been posting these recaps. Still, posting like this helps drag out the vacation, and the summer, just a little longer.

I began the day with another walk around Nye Beach to soak up a little of that beachside atmosphere.

Then we enjoyed a little Zen time at the beach thanks to Kei’s rock creation.

Then it was time to head back in the direction of the lighthouse to visit the rock pools. A ticket to the lighthouse is valid for three days which worked out perfectly. Visiting the Lighthouse and rock pools on the same day would have been too much for the younger members of our crew.

We walked down the hill toward the rock pools thinking it was just a regular beach, when Samuel spotted the main attraction just meters away.

We were pretty impressed that Samuel was the one who saw them first (and he was incredibly proud of himself) so I asked him to recreate the moment.

Then, braving the cold wind, I walked around and took a few quick photos before we decided to make a beeline back to the warm van.

For dinner, we drove to a great Japanese restaurant in the old town section of Newport. It gave us a chance to walk around the historic port and check out these very loud and aggressive creatures.

We weren’t the only ones. Apparently they’re quite the attraction.

After dinner we took a walk down to the dock. Well, some of us walked…

The sun was setting and the colors were beautiful.

Finally, I decided that my nerves could no longer take the sight of my children running on such narrow boardwalks. As we walked back, Mayumi requested I take a few photos of things you might not see very often in Japan.

And other things that reminded her of home.

After a quick stop for ice cream, we headed back for our last night at the beach house.

Wordless Wednesday: Grandpa

Newport, Oregon Day 4: Yaquina Head Lighthouse + Kite Flying

Warning: A plethora of photos follows (I just love the word plethora.)

On our fourth day at the beach we decided to take a short drive to visit the lighthouse. Not the original Newport Yaquina Bay lighthouse – although if I’d read this first I might have sent us in that direction (I love ghost stories).

The one we visited is called the Yaquina Head lighthouse which attracts a lot of tourists and thousands of tiny disgusting flies. We were told that the flies are only there for two months of the year (lucky us!) and that they don’t bite or spread disease. And, honestly, after waiting in line for a while to go in the lighthouse, I was wondering what was more annoying – the flies or the obnoxious tourists who kept complaining about them.

But I digress. The Yaquina Head lighthouse is beautiful and we were lucky enough to visit on a perfect (although slightly chilly) Summer day.

There is a little walkway nearby that leads to the rockiest beach I have ever seen. Incredibly beautiful in it’s own way, even if it was a little difficult to walk on.

We even managed to spot a few seals on the nearby rocks – although my camera’s zoom wasn’t quite strong enough to catch them clearly in a photograph. I promise they’re on that rock somewhere…

After our little adventure down to the beach, Mayumi and I ditched the kids to climb the stairs to the top of the lighthouse.

After a brief encounter with an old guy who shared very STRONG opinions about my flip flops (and also gave us the information about the flies), we walked the five steps to the top.

One person at a time, 5 steps and then stop. Don’t get me wrong, it was a great view and interesting to see, but I expected to be able to walk around up top and I supposed I was a little disappointed. I mean shouldn’t they explain that before you climb the very tall spiral staircase?

Next, we all jumped back in the mini van to visit the (poorly lit) information center where my Dad and Kei watched the informational video (no surprises there) and I followed the kids around telling them what they could and could not touch.

This next photograph is a favorite – I love how the different personalities come out in just one quick image. Hilarious!

A about 30 minutes past nap time, we decided it was time to head back to the house before things got ugly. After everyone had sufficiently recharged, we headed back to the beach for a little kite flying (the boys) and running in the freezing cold water (Karin and, by default, Mayumi).

Finally, a little time to explore the rock pools before the tide starting coming in and I feared my children would be washed out to sea.

The end of another perfect day.

Newport, Oregon Day 3, Pt 2: A Day at the Beach

This may be the longest series of blog posts about one 5 day beach trip ever but, what can I say? I have a ton of photos to share and one post just didn’t seem like enough.

Besides our little birthday celebration on day 3, we designated this days as “hang out at the house and play at the beach” day. I also added “walk around and take random photos” to my own agenda.

Samuel and I began the day with a walk down to grab a cup of coffee (for me, not him). It was a good reminder to set aside regular time to spend with each of my boys on their own. It’s amazing how much better they behave when you can give them your complete, undivided attention.

I love the mood the morning mist provides. So peaceful and still.

Of course Samuel’s patience with my photo walk had its limits so I went back to the house and dropped him off before heading out again to grab a few more shots around Nye Beach.

Like fun mailboxes.

And the beach theme being taken to the extreme.

Then back again to the house for the birthday celebration before the kids decided to jump in the hot tub. They had way more fun that it looks in this photo.

After trying, unsuccessfully, to put Samuel down for a nap, I decided to take him down to the beach instead. Sure, we were bound to pay for it later but at least we could have a little fun building a giant sandcastle before the meltdown began.

Full disclosure: I didn’t actually “build” the sandcastle. I was too busy protecting my camera.

The sun had finally come out by this time and the beach was absolutely beautiful.

This one looks straight out of a tourist brochure to me.

After everyone was sufficiently exhausted we made the trek back up the hill to get ready for dinner at a local seafood restaurant and a walk along the beach as the sun started to fade.

I headed back to the beach to take photographs of the stunning sunset that I already posted here. The perfect end to a perfectly relaxing day.

Newport, Oregon Day 3: A Special Celebration

We were privileged to have the opportunity to celebrate Karin’s 3rd birthday while we were at the beach. It wasn’t a big celebration, but it did include a pink princess crown which is likely the only time one of those will be present at an Ishida hosted birthday party. Although, I’m strongly considering buying one for myself next year…

Newport, Oregon: Day Two: The Aquarium

I had one specific outing request during our vacation to Newport, and that was to visit the Aquarium. I have lived in Portland for about 8 years now and, almost everyday, have been forced to look at billboards advertising the Oregon Coast Aquarium. It took eight years, but the advertising bombardment finally won me over and I can now happily say “been there, done that.”

Really though, it was a fun day. While this Aquarium was not the most spectacular one I’ve visited, (so far, the Melbourne Aquarium wins that prize, even if their website is a visual assault) our big group of 5 adults and three kids were completely satisfied with the variety of sea life that we were able to see and, in some cases, even touch. Of course I took enough pictures to make a book…

These two were too cute. My mum bought that backpack over for Karin and it barely left her back the entire time.

I’m not going to tell you how long I waited to get the following picture. Not sure if it was worth it…

This where we were able to touch the animals. Of course my children were a little hesitant while Karin almost jumped right in.

A favourite.

And, of course, despite the many amazing things that we were surrounded by, it was the playhouse by the bathrooms that they were most excited about.

The first time I’ve ever seen a puffin in real life and this one came within inches as it crossed from one pool to another. Incredibly cute.

I won’t mention how long I waited to take this one either. Let me just say that uncooperative sting rays and glass glare make for a difficult photo subject.

For some reason this next one cracks me up. I think it might be Thomas’ rock and roll pose. (Note: by some miracle, we managed to leave the two stuffed sharks in the store and escape with just a souvenir penny for each child).

Had just enough time for a quick ride on a porpoise before we came dangerously close to a full overtired meltdown – both kids and parents.

Wordless Wednesday: Nye Beach Silhouettes

Back to Reality

Today is officially the last day of Summer for our little family – despite the fact that our sad Portland weather makes us feel as though Summer has just begun. No, school and work will not wait any longer and tomorrow we will all be forced to come back to earth with a big, heavy thud.

Not that it’s all bad of course. We’re excited for Thomas’ first day of Kindergarten and I have all of his school supplies purchased and ready to go. We also have our house back after months of hosting guests. As much as we enjoyed playing tour guide this Summer, there’s something to be said for the pleasure that comes from putting everything back in it’s proper place.

I also have my access to the computer restored and plenty of vacation photos to share. See? Not all bad.

I’ll begin with our first day at Nye beach, Newport. We left sunshine in Portland to drive three hours to the misty, cold ocean, with just enough remaining sunlight to take some quick photos of the beach…