Winter on the Oregon Coast

Ryan and I left the day after Christmas and just returned from a two week vacation where we celebrated our first wedding anniversary.

We planned our vacation almost a year ago with the intention of retreating together to reconnect and enjoy some time as a family- us and the dogs. We debated about where to go and upon urging from the US Military, who suggested that the returning soldiers should consider vacation locations that were NOT hot and sunny- we agreed on Manzanita, a small town on the Oregon Coast, just south of Cannon Beach as our vacation destination.

I say we planned our vacation a year ago, but in reality, vacation planning for Ryan and I generally means we merely found a place to stay. Our plan tends to be dictated largely by the folks we meet and recommendation from the locals.

We followed the model of talk up the locals - then take notes - when we visited Manzanita.

Our first stop was to the Sea Shack, a waterfront gem in Wheeler Oregon. Lynn, who has been the mainstay of the Sea Shack for nine years and just happens to live next door, and Sara, a twenty one year old bartender who lived in Rockaway gave us wonderful suggestions that lead us to the nearby mountain pass for a dinner plate sized cinnamon roll and to Wanda’s a wonderful little breakfast hot spot. Lyle, a butcher in Tillamook, tipped us off to deals on crab that had just come in off the boat, and the gal at the fish market taught us to clean and efficiently crack the crab.

Everywhere we went we asked questions and were greeted with the utmost hospitality and eager recommendations for where the locals most enjoyed. Lynn’s favorite saying was “overrated” when referring to the places most tourist guides directed, and for the most part we found that to be true.
The cabin was wonderful, we found it on HomeAway.com. It allowed dogs, had a spa the size of a small pool and was just a block from the beach. It was fabulous.




During our second weekend there we invited the Farmers out to join us. The snow had thwarted the trip we had planned with them to Leavenworth just before Christmas and this was a nice substitution.

They took a route south that took them over two Oregon mountain passes and they spent the majority of their trip battling the falling snow. The weekend they stayed was gorgeous and dry, but within 10 minutes of their departure the rain started and they were again stuck driving through snow - although this time it was along Highway 101. It was insane because from the time they left until our Thursday departure it was a contant downpour.

Our drive home was an adventure. Seven detours, fjording a couple rivers and waiting out two road closures, we arrive home in 8.5 hours (its should have taken around 4). We actually made pretty good time considering. Here's a couple of photos of the Chehalis River blocking our way in Montesano.

Overall, it was an amazing couple of weeks and we were able to completely relax for the entire time. The thing we will miss most... NAPS. We will miss our naps. Two a day at least and were still able to sleep at night.
We're glad to be home and Ryan is looking forward to starting school on Monday. We will see everyone soon, Happy New Year!