Hey You Guys!! Haystack Rock!

Ecola Point Overlook

Yes, another Goonies reference. Apparently, we aren't the only ones who remember that movie around here. We heard that line from the movie on the local radio station this morning, and, the crepe place had a crepe name The Goonies. I really need to find a copy of that so my kids can watch it.

But I digress... sort of... Today was more exploring of the Northern Oregon Coast. We headed south to Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park. No, not e-coli, although there is a geocache there that makes a play on the words, so we're not the only ones who thought of it.

Rain rain go away.

The beach that the intrepid (or crazy) explorers
made it down to.

Despite a rainy morning, Ecola State Park http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_188.php was first on the agenda and it was amazing. The Pacific Northwest is so different from the beach areas on the East Coast. It goes immediately from the beach to steep hills and mountains, as well as these lush forests. The drive into Ecola felt like we were driving through the rain forest. Everything was so lush and green, with moss hanging on the pines. After the long, winding road, we arrived at the overlook at Ecola Point. From the top of the hill, we could see Tillamook Lighthouse (Terrible Tilly) and Haystack Rock.


Jim and Kate decided to take the treacherous route down to the beach, after Conner slid down it and couldn't get back up. Yes, some days I am traveling with four children... who should all be wearing helmets. Maggie and I skipped the buttslide down the muddy mountain and waited it out at the top. We explored all the nooks and crannies of this magical place as the sun started to shine. It turned into a perfectly beautiful day after the clouds moved out and we got some magnificent views.

Looking down on Indian Beach
from the overlook.

Indian Beach

Sea Lion Rocks, although there wren't
any sea lions on them.

We found this magical little spot off the trail. We
were sure there had been fairies here. 

After the explorers made their way back to us, we headed to Indian Beach (also in the state park.) This was an easy path down to another very cool beach area. This is where the surfers all hang out and there were quite a few there, although I don't exactly get it, as the waves are pretty small. But still, they were interesting to watch. We had a quick picnic lunch then the girls went "wading" up to their shoulders and Conner and I explored the tidal pools. Incredible!! We saw anemone, mussels, and star fish, and a bunch of other cool stuff I couldn't identify.

Indian Beach

They went for a swim... in their clothes.

A neat little cave area by the tidal pools.

An anemone

More anemones.

Pink ones

Sea Star!!!!

The girls made a friend. This dog was so funny.
We think she was here with one of the surfers
because she just kept going to random people and
dropping her ball at their feet and waited for them to
throw it. She would go to kids first. The girls threw that
ball for her for over an hour! Clever dog. 

Lots of critters in amongst those rocks.

Little fishies swimming. And mussels on the rocks.

We could have spent the whole day there, but wanted to make it to Haystack Rock http://www.cannon-beach.net/cbhaystack.html by low tide, as we had heard the tidal pools there were not to be missed. One problem, the girls were SOAKED with no change of clothes. It was so cold and rainy in the morning that it never entered my mind that they would actually want to go IN the ocean. Obviously, I was mistaken. So after a quick stop for dry pants, we made it to Cannon Beach. Cannon Beach is very different from Seaside, much more upscale and... ummm... mature. Ours were just about the only kids in town. haha. We ended up parking at the wrong end of town for Haystack Rock, so we had to walk about 2 miles down the beach to get to the rock. It was pretty cool to see the tidal pools there, but we actually saw more critters at Indian Beach earlier. Still, it was an awesome sight to stand in front of that huge rock IN the ocean in front of you.

Hay stack Rock

Anybody seen One-Eyed Willy's treasure?

That's a lot of mushrooms!

After the tide started coming back in, we headed into town for a snack and found The Creperie!! Ooh la la. Delicious walking crepes. We went in a few other shops, which were very nice and very upscale, then headed back.

One more stop at the arcade, with burgers and pizza for dinner, then back to the RV park for laundry and game time so we are ready to head out tomorrow.

We have made a slight change to our plans, and no, we're not staying on the road for another few months, although it's VERY tempting. We were planning to go to Scottsdale to visit our dear friend and former neighbor Judith, who moved to Scottsdale last year. We went by her house in Smithsburg and loaded up her mixer and cookie cutters to bring to her, and had plans for Christmas cookies in September. Well, as luck would have it, Judith has to make an unexpected trip back to Maryland, and she is leaving the day we were planning to get to Scottsdale! We're so disappointed to miss her, but these things happen. On the bright side, it saves us some driving and we can spend more time along the coast, so we're looking on the bright side. And it just means we will have to make another trip out west soon!