By Thursday the kids and I were feeling ready to mix up our beach routine, so we hopped in the car and headed north for a mini-adventure, just the three of us. As we drove down country roads en route to Blue Heron Dairy, Life is A Highway (Isaac’s pick) and I Will Always Love You (Juliette’s pick) piped through the speakers. We sang, like really SANG, Isaac always a couple of words behind Juliette me. The road trip vibes were strong that morning.
We rolled up to Blue Heron just as they opened and spent an hour sitting in tractor seats and feeding goats and patting the resident donkeys.
Such friendly little dudes!
Such slobbery little dudes…
Once we’d fed all the animals and given our hands a thorough washing, we walked/ran to the candy store for a treat.
Isaac was thrilled with his Super Mario Pez dispenser. Juliette went for the Mambas.
It was a short drive to Tillamook Creamery from Blue Heron. When in dairy country…
Our stint at Tillamook was short, as the free cheese samples couldn’t compete with the well-stocked candy store at Blue Heron, so we did just a quick tour and then popped across the street for green smoothies and a cinnamon roll.
Next stop: the Garibaldi Train Depot for a ride on the old-timey rails. The 30-minute ride from Garibaldi to Rockaway Beach was scenic and sweet and the perfect way to do some seated sight-seeing.
Isaac bounced from Juliette’s lap to mine and back again. Turns our seated sight-seeing isn’t so much his style.
My word, kiddos. Laying it on THICK, these two.
We had a short layover at Rockaway before we needed to catch the train back to our car, so we briefly hit the playground and the beach.
Get those wiggles out, Isaac!
I’m certain there were moments on this day when Isaac whined or wouldn’t listen, but I can’t remember them. I just remember how much damn fun the three of us had together.
We thought about calling it a day after the train ride and heading back to the house for Isaac’s afternoon nap, but he fell asleep in the car just two minutes into our drive, so we let him doze and slowly moseyed over to Oceanside Beach for one last stop, figuring he’d be ready to go again by the time we got there and parked. He was still pretty groggy when I lifted him from his carseat, but Sister offered to give him a carry, because she’s the best.
We explored the tunnel and collected a few rocks…
And then once Isaac had wiped the last sleepies from his eyes, it was time to twirl. Juliette made a game of spinning at top speed, arms stretched wide, until she was so dizzy she collapsed in the sand. Isaac followed suit and they fell again and again, the sound of their laughter mingling with the waves.
Juliette and I made our own sand-shard jigsaw puzzle and then Isaac stomped on it and now I remember there was definitely crying and whining from both my kids that afternoon, but it passed quickly.
Holding a grudge just isn’t in this girl’s DNA.
We eventually brushed the sand from our feet and headed back, eager to see the rest of our crew. Morgan welcomed Isaac with open arms and let him help with dinner prep.
We drove down the beach that evening for a fire and s’mores. It felt good to have everyone together.
We savored our treats and then the kids went for a run, because they’re unstoppable.
Isaac ran up and down the sides of this sandpit, at one point collapsing just over the edge so that all we could see were his little legs sticking straight up in the air, kicking as he struggled to roll onto his back. We laughed a lot.
The Isaac Henry Show, coming soon to a beach near you…
Friday was our last day there, and Shane took the day off. It was nice to have him with us for our morning walk.
Oh, Buddy. These beach-run smiles are the stuff of my dreams.
Once again, Isaac couldn’t resist the frigid water, and once again, his shorts were soaked. We rolled with it.
When Shane asked how I wanted to spend our last day there, I couldn’t think of a better place than our favorite stretch of beach, so he dashed back to the house for our beach chairs and snacks while I continued to roam with the kids.
Flipping through these pictures, I see image after image of Juliette leaning over so she can show or tell Isaac something. ISAAC HENRY, YOU ARE SO LUCKY. Often it feels like he has no idea how big he struck the sister jackpot, but someday it’ll sink it. I know it.
The rest of our crew trickled down to join and us and we spend the afternoon reading and splashing and eating and lounging. All my favorite things.
This driftwood fort was a good find. No bears in here, either, though!
Juliette wrote our initials on the doorway with a piece of charred wood. Love Wuz Here.
I had been promising the kids ice cream all week and finally made good on my offer.
One last game of tag for the road… We love you, Morgan.
We went back to the house to gather our things and say our good-byes. Juliette sniffled a little as we pulled away – what a good week, filled with laughter and play and rest and beauty and family. Neskowin has our hearts.