The Oregon Coast,

I got a call one morning from a very good friend, Tara. She wanted to know if MaKatie and I would like to go on a road trip to Oregon with them. So off we went. We spent a day in Baker City, three in Gates visiting her great grandparents, one on the coast, an evening in Washington visiting her aunt and uncle, and several just driving. We had four adults and three kids under the age of four. Traveling was an adventure for sure. It tested all of our patience.

Lots of time in the car left the kids with lots of wiggles, so we headed for a mall in Salem. Malls always have play areas. Well this one didn't, and so they had to settle for these couple of toys. MaKatie loved riding the horse until she had to share.

Our day at the beach was lots of fun. We started at Lincoln City and drove up the coast to Astoria.

She loves the water. She would point at it and get so excited. I couldn't help but smile.

Drove some more to our next stop, Tillamook.

The Tillamook Cheese Factory was fun. We sure enjoyed the cheese curds.

We ate a little cafe that had this old fishing boat outside. Inside you could watch them shuck oysters through a window. That was interesting to see. Did you know they only make 2 or 3 cents an oyster that they shuck. It was yummy food, but it sure smelled of raw seafood.

I have no idea what makes these little dots in the sand, but I loved them.

Seaside was our final stop to get out and play. It was a blast!

MaKatie got to touch a star fish, sea anemone, and sea urchin in the touch tank at the aquarium.

She wasn't very excited about the seals, but she sure loved the fish.

My favorite part was the swing sets on the beach. MaKatie giggled so hard.

I thought she wouldn't like the water since it was cold. Boy oh boy, was I wrong. She splashed and giggled. If I'd let her she would of sat down and played some more, but it was too cold to get that wet. 

We finished off with some yummy huckleberry ice cream. The long day was worth it for all the fun we had.