Last Minute Getaway!

Our family had an impromptu getaway this past weekend. We had been planning on visiting Depoe Bay, OR to do some whale watching on Monday. After thinking about a 2 1/2 (plus) drive there and back, we decided that was a bit too much "van time" for the kids...not to mention for Mom and Dad! So while having lunch Sunday afternoon we spontaneously decided to head out for the coast that afternoon and spend the night in the Newport area Sunday so we could have all day Monday to sight see. It proved to be a great idea! We had a wonderful time walking along the beach collecting shells, visiting the coastal towns, (and sampling the tastes of those towns!) and seeing breathtaking views of God's creation.

We saw 3 whales right off the coast. Wow! That was a first for all of us. One whale in particular was so close to the shore that you didn't even need binoculars to see it. It was just incredible! We also saw seals swimming around in the ocean. Another first for us. I think I was much more excited than the kids :)

Sunday night my husband and I sat outside our hotel room (it was right on the beach!) and just marveled at God's spectacular creation. There were thousands of stars in the sky and it seemed the ocean just stretched out forever in front of us. We listened to the waves hit the shore and stayed warm in each other's arms. Definitely a top memory for me.

We were totally worn out when we returned home late Monday night, but it was well worth it! We're thinking about making it a tradition every year before school starts up. We just can't get over how much stuff there is to see and do in this part of the country. We are lovin' it!