Oregon Coast

Oregon Coast, you sure are pretty. This trip wasn’t without its challenges and disappointments, but it’s exactly what we needed: time together in nature. It’s so hard to get enough time all together at home with work and house projects and bedtimes. The weather posed some challenges—and we didn’t get as much beach time as we would have liked—but I do think we made the most of it. Our kid is such a trooper, which makes it all possible.

Highlights: Alberta Cooperative Grocery in Portland (the clerk invited Ella behind the check out counter to scan all of our items!), Oregon Coast Aquarium, a COVERED playground at the elementary school in Tillamook, Manzanita Beach, breakfast at Yolk in Manzanita, Rockaway Beach, Cannon Beach, the Sea Otters at the Portland Zoo, and filling up our gas tank for $24 (we rented a Prius).

Pro tip: Buy a 1000 piece puzzle from a thrift store for some good, cheap, rainy day fun.

Biggest takeaway: Traveling with my family is always worth it.