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Now, don't get me wrong, Southern California has its share of stunning beaches, but they come with a price – either you're fighting the crowds or reaching for your wallet to park. The Oregon Coast, on the other hand, felt like a breath of pure, salty, untamed bliss. It offered wide open shores that were practically deserted and, believe it or not, free downtown parking. It was like a hidden treasure for introverted beach lovers like me.
Our road trip from Crater Lake spanned 260 miles, and like any well-prepared traveler, we made a pit stop for fuel just as we usually do every 200 miles, or about half a tank for us. But the most unforgettable part of our journey? It had to be an unexpected detour while searching for the State Park entrance... for my sister and brother- in -law. Missing that crucial turn reminded us of the vital lesson: always spot and take the first driveway, because making a U-turn on a busy road with limited space is an adventure you'll remember!
What truly made this place stand out is where we stayed- South Beach State Park. This campsite, with its natural tree division, provided privacy amidst a lively atmosphere. Our slice of paradise had a grassy area, fire pit, and beautiful pathways to the beach. Despite basic amenities (W&E), a dishwater disposal spot was a unique added bonus.
One cool thing about this spot is that they're okay with tents. It might sound a bit funny, but many RV campsites don't allow tents in the RV areas. My son was pretty pumped about it, and he managed to survive the whole night. However, he learned the hard way that he should've used a pad because he woke up with a rock-induced backache. Those lessons really do stick with you!
Tip: If you are a veteran, look into getting a Special Access Pass, they allow free camping and day use at Oregon’s State Parks.
1. Experience the Beach
To start, if you choose to stay at the state park (which I highly suggest), set your alarm early and take a morning stroll along the trail to catch a breathtaking sunrise painting the ocean with shades of pink. In the evening, go for a walk on the trail to witness a mesmerizing sunset, and if you're lucky, you might even spot the elusive green flash.
Spend a day at the beach gathering a plethora of sand dollars. Or, if you're up for the challenge of the 59-degree water, take a refreshing dip. But if you're anything like me, you might opt to just kick back and enjoy watching the surfers do their thing.
2. Make Time for the Aquarium
Are you familiar with the Oregon Coast Aquarium? Well, I wasn't before my visit either. Surprisingly, this place is a hidden gem, famous for those amazing underwater tunnels. My nephews were absolutely smitten, rolling around on the floor as they chased the fish.
My personal favorite was watching the playful sea lions and seals. Sadly, a couple of interactive exhibits were off-limits, but honestly, it turned out to be the perfect amount of time spent with the kids, if you catch my drift.
3. Go Out to Eat
Following our aquarium visit, we made our way to downtown Newport for a classic lunch stop at Mo's Seafood and Chowder. Mo's is famous for their clam chowder and prime waterfront spot. Having been around since 1946, it's clearly a cherished spot for both locals and tourists. To be honest, I hate to admit it, but even though our server was incredibly friendly, I was a bit disappointed with the food – it came out overcooked and lacking in flavor.
While we were exploring the area, we decided to stop by the White Rabbit Espresso and Coffee House for a little treat. It turned out that I was the only one in our group who enjoyed my coffee, so we collectively rated it at just 2 out of 5 stars.
It can be a real downer when a dining experience falls short of expectations, especially when we're mindful of our budget and don't eat out frequently. While I may not have any stellar recommendations to offer, at least you'll have a clear idea of what to anticipate.
You know that toilet we purchased? Well, it turns out the seal didn't work as expected. We had to remove everything from our "basement" and sanitize it – quite a messy situation. On the bright side, the weather was fantastic and surprisingly calm, a rare delight as the locals told us.
Scott got disappointing news here that he was denied VR&E benefits. But you know what? Scott’s not one to give up. He is passionate about going back to school to get his Masters in Divinity in order to be a VA Chaplain. He followed their advice, did everything they asked him to, and has reapplied. He has another interview this week, we would appreciate your prayers!
* Update: He got into the program, thank you for your prayers!
Our short getaway was a fantastic mix of experiences. After spending a long time inland, seeing the wide-open sky, smelling the sea breeze, feeling the sandy beaches, and hearing the soothing ocean made us incredibly happy. The weather was perfect, and even though managing toddlers on the beach was a bit crazy, both my nephews and kids had a great time. Despite a minor mishap and some bad news, Scott loved this place the most. On our rating scale, we gave it a strong 4.5 out of 5, mainly because of the lack of full amenities and some room for improvement in our dining and downtown experiences.
Getting There
Our road trip from Crater Lake spanned 260 miles, and like any well-prepared traveler, we made a pit stop for fuel just as we usually do every 200 miles, or about half a tank for us. But the most unforgettable part of our journey? It had to be an unexpected detour while searching for the State Park entrance... for my sister and brother- in -law. Missing that crucial turn reminded us of the vital lesson: always spot and take the first driveway, because making a U-turn on a busy road with limited space is an adventure you'll remember!
Our Home for Three Nights
What truly made this place stand out is where we stayed- South Beach State Park. This campsite, with its natural tree division, provided privacy amidst a lively atmosphere. Our slice of paradise had a grassy area, fire pit, and beautiful pathways to the beach. Despite basic amenities (W&E), a dishwater disposal spot was a unique added bonus.
One cool thing about this spot is that they're okay with tents. It might sound a bit funny, but many RV campsites don't allow tents in the RV areas. My son was pretty pumped about it, and he managed to survive the whole night. However, he learned the hard way that he should've used a pad because he woke up with a rock-induced backache. Those lessons really do stick with you!
Tip: If you are a veteran, look into getting a Special Access Pass, they allow free camping and day use at Oregon’s State Parks.
Places and Activities to Discover
1. Experience the Beach
To start, if you choose to stay at the state park (which I highly suggest), set your alarm early and take a morning stroll along the trail to catch a breathtaking sunrise painting the ocean with shades of pink. In the evening, go for a walk on the trail to witness a mesmerizing sunset, and if you're lucky, you might even spot the elusive green flash.
Spend a day at the beach gathering a plethora of sand dollars. Or, if you're up for the challenge of the 59-degree water, take a refreshing dip. But if you're anything like me, you might opt to just kick back and enjoy watching the surfers do their thing.
2. Make Time for the Aquarium
Are you familiar with the Oregon Coast Aquarium? Well, I wasn't before my visit either. Surprisingly, this place is a hidden gem, famous for those amazing underwater tunnels. My nephews were absolutely smitten, rolling around on the floor as they chased the fish.
My personal favorite was watching the playful sea lions and seals. Sadly, a couple of interactive exhibits were off-limits, but honestly, it turned out to be the perfect amount of time spent with the kids, if you catch my drift.
3. Go Out to Eat
Following our aquarium visit, we made our way to downtown Newport for a classic lunch stop at Mo's Seafood and Chowder. Mo's is famous for their clam chowder and prime waterfront spot. Having been around since 1946, it's clearly a cherished spot for both locals and tourists. To be honest, I hate to admit it, but even though our server was incredibly friendly, I was a bit disappointed with the food – it came out overcooked and lacking in flavor.
While we were exploring the area, we decided to stop by the White Rabbit Espresso and Coffee House for a little treat. It turned out that I was the only one in our group who enjoyed my coffee, so we collectively rated it at just 2 out of 5 stars.
It can be a real downer when a dining experience falls short of expectations, especially when we're mindful of our budget and don't eat out frequently. While I may not have any stellar recommendations to offer, at least you'll have a clear idea of what to anticipate.
Mishaps
You know that toilet we purchased? Well, it turns out the seal didn't work as expected. We had to remove everything from our "basement" and sanitize it – quite a messy situation. On the bright side, the weather was fantastic and surprisingly calm, a rare delight as the locals told us.
Scott got disappointing news here that he was denied VR&E benefits. But you know what? Scott’s not one to give up. He is passionate about going back to school to get his Masters in Divinity in order to be a VA Chaplain. He followed their advice, did everything they asked him to, and has reapplied. He has another interview this week, we would appreciate your prayers!
* Update: He got into the program, thank you for your prayers!
In a Nutshell
Our short getaway was a fantastic mix of experiences. After spending a long time inland, seeing the wide-open sky, smelling the sea breeze, feeling the sandy beaches, and hearing the soothing ocean made us incredibly happy. The weather was perfect, and even though managing toddlers on the beach was a bit crazy, both my nephews and kids had a great time. Despite a minor mishap and some bad news, Scott loved this place the most. On our rating scale, we gave it a strong 4.5 out of 5, mainly because of the lack of full amenities and some room for improvement in our dining and downtown experiences.
Bible Verse:
Proverbs 3:5-7 (MSG)
"Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
He's the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all."
As I reflect on a pivotal moment in our journey, when Scott received that unexpected phone call in the midst of our South Beach S.P visit, these verses resonate deeply. Their wisdom is timeless and universal, offering guidance and insight that evolves with each chapter of our lives.
- Trusting God involves surrendering our own understanding and resisting the urge to chart our own course. It's a lesson we've had to learn, particularly in Scott's journey, as he's naturally a go-getter and a doer. In the face of a disappointing "no," we were initially disheartened. However, it was during such times that God was molding us, teaching us the importance of pausing before reacting.
- Listening to God's voice everywhere we go means being attuned to His presence in all aspects of life, maintaining open channels of communication with Him, and remaining humble enough to accept wisdom from various sources, whether it's through people especially children, books, or the beauty of nature.
- God's promise to keep us on track is a reminder that He is always in control. He unveiled the value of preparation and patience during Scott's journey. The timing of his interview, an hour before we left for our road trip, was an unnecessary challenge we put on ourselves. Yet, it was in this moment of spontaneity that we learned a valuable lesson about patience and preparation.
- Pride and the assumption of knowing it all can be stumbling blocks. We are grateful for that initial rejection because it paved the way for a more profound revelation. It highlighted the misalignment of our desires with God's plan. Scott's aspiration to pursue a master's in Christian ministry has since evolved, through lots of prayer and hard work, into a clear calling for an MDIV and a distinct career path, something that was previously elusive.
- I would have never thought I would be living on the road, homeschooling, and that Scott would be desiring to get his MDlV to be a chaplain. God seriously blows my mind, and I love it!
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I pray that you will give us your perspective so that we won't be disheartened when our plans take unexpected turns, or when we face rejection or stagnation. We turn to you God, and seek alignment with your divine will. I thank you for answering our prayers with clarity, and ask for your discipline to remain steadfast in prayer, exercise patience, put in the effort, and embrace humility. Help us to hold onto hope, for I know what awaits will surpass our wildest dreams. Thank you for being all powerful, yet so personal. Please be with Israel, the hostages, the innocent children caught in crossfire along with all the Palestinians who love you Lord. May your will be done and your Kingdom come.
In Jesus' name, Amen
I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences, feel free to leave a comment below.
I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences, feel free to leave a comment below.
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