This summer has been rife with cancelled plans – day camps for Juliette called off, a trip to Minnesota postponed due to our concerns about a pandemic plane ride, campsite reservations forfeited due to rain… I’m all for cozying up indoors in November, but June? July?! It’s painful. I’m antsy. SO ANTSY. We’ve been looking for ways to safely leave our bubble and were immensely grateful when my brother and his family offered to host us for a long weekend at their vacation house down at the Oregon Coast last month. Score! We were able to pit stop at their house in Portland for a bathroom break and then powered through the final couple of hours to Neskowin. It’s no small victory these days when you can endure a five-hour car ride without having to use a public restroom.
Made it! And that view!
AND that long-lost cousin! Together again.
We ditched our bags and then quickly walked/biked down to the beach.
I was afraid that “beach” would conjure up recent visions of Maui for Juliette and she’d be a little disappointed by this version of the Pacific, but I stand corrected. Turns our she doesn’t discriminate when it comes to sand and surf.
We balanced our beach runs with couch snuggle sessions with Bina.
I joined Mitch for one of his early-morning fishing trips and watched from the water’s edge as he cast into the waves.
My brother is so zen.
Hey, I know that guy!
We did some exploring near Depoe Bay and took in the views from above Devil’s Punch Bowl…
Then made our way down to the beach for some adventuring.
Miniature crabs and baby anemones for days…
Seriously, these girls were like little marine biologists-in-training.
Then, more snuggles! Elise is 100% pre-teen now and seems to have little in common with Juliette, but these two are still so sweetly fond of each other.
I loved misty morning walks down to the neighborhood market for coffee followed by a beach stroll.
And then…you guessed it.
We struck out one afternoon to conquer the sand dune at Pacific City. Kathryn had warned me it was quite a climb, but I had no idea.
NO IDEA. This would have been tough climbing on solid ground. But on silky-soft sand that sinks your feet with each step? Grueling.
Worth it for the views, though.
Gosh, it felt so good to be out, exploring someplace new, taking pictures and seeing all the shades of blue, green, and brown.
The downhill climb was much more fun than the uphill one.
We were all warm from our hike and Shane jokingly offered to toss Juliette into the ocean to cool off. She squealed and then agreed to just put her toes in.
JUST her toes.
Ok, and her ankles.
And…what the hell, kiddo. Just go for it.
I know, this is entirely too many pictures of Juliette and Morgan playing in the water, but it gave me all the warm fuzzies to see them frolicking and fancy-free.
The grown-ups set up their own game of see-saw.
I love this picture of Mitch and Elise so much, but Shane, buddy…what’s goin’ on?
This is the look of a water-lover that wore leggings to the beach…
We stayed close to the house our last full day there, venturing down to the beach in the morning and evening, but taking a break mid-day for lunch and a patio painting session.
Shorts! So much more sensible.
(But even these got wet!)
This little window seat was my favorite spot in the house and is where Juliette and I did our evening reading.
My little buddy and I packed in one final beach stroll on our last morning there, snapped a few photos, and then called it a wrap.
Travel itch scratched. For now.
