Vacation: Part Two

Our journey continued as we left Idaho and headed to Oregon, and our final destination Lincoln City; a trip that would take a mere nine-and-a-half hours (thank Heaven for portable DVD players). After a quick four hour jaunt across Oregon, we took a side trip to the Maryhill Museum located in Goldendale, Washington.

This art museum is housed in a fabulous Georgian-style home built by a man named Samuel Hill. It was a fun stopping place. My favorite part was the exhibit of chess sets from around the world. The workmanship was exquisite. I missed the Rodin because Ellie was too impatient to keep looking, but Mike said it was good. The kids enjoyed the Persian dress exhibition and the sculpture garden. Who knew such artistic taste existed in the middle of nowhere.

We continued our drive along the scenic Columbia River.It was cool to watch people kite surfing. It was great scenery for the long drive. We arrived in Lincoln City around 8 p.m. tired but happy.

The next day was Sunday. We went to church then came back to the house to relax. What did we do to relax you ask? Why, we watched the final Women’s World Cup soccer game. It was a really exciting game (and even though I could feel my blood pressure rising it was still relaxing). I love it when it ends with a shootout! Too bad we lost.

Afterward we went to Regatta Park and played. Then we took a walk on a “nature trail.” The thing I love about Oregon is how green it is. The plants are so prolific. It is so different from Utah.

Of course no trip to the coast would be complete without 85 trips to the beach so that evening, despite the cold and the wind, we went to walk and wade . . . and of course ended up soaked.

On the way to the tide pools, Mike picked up a long piece of washed-up seaweed with a bulb on the end of it, and swung it around like lasso. He thought it would be funny to lasso my feet, so with erring accuracy he let it go and caught Ellie instead. My, oh my, did she cry. Mike, on the other hand, was laughing so hard he couldn’t even explain to me what happened; it wasn’t until later on that evening that he finally explained why Ellie was crying. What a punk.

It was too cold to stay and play at the beach so we went to check out a glass blowing studio (they are everywhere). Very awesome and very warm, a glass blowing furnace is over 2000 degrees.

After a hearty deep-fried lunch of fish and chips from Dorey’s Cove we decided to hike to Deer Creek Falls. It was an easy hike, only about 3 miles round trip. However, the highlight wasn’t the falls, but the suspension bridge you have to cross to get to the falls.

Surprisingly enough, Ellie was the best hiker of them all. I don’t know if it is here innate drive to always win or what, but she is a fast hiker. She and I made it a race on the way back, and we beat everyone else by at least 5 minutes. Never underestimate short legs.

That evening we decided to launch balloon rockets for family night. Who knew you could have so much fun for $2.50. After we put the children to bed, Mike and I decided to end the day with a sunset walk on the beach.