Oregon Coast 2025
The skies of Rockaway Beach showed us quite the range of textures and colors.
When a friend called and said she needed a family photographer on the Oregon coast in a couple of weeks, and I realized we did not otherwise have a summer vacation on the books (everything else we had planned fell through), I told her I would be there. It was a jam-packed whirlwind of a trip, but we had a delightful time all around, not least of which was spending time with some dear friends during their family session.
The way over had us driving by an active fire for 20 minutes or so. Darius had a great time watching the planes work and he asked me to check on the fire multiple times while we were on our trip. Firefighter is a very realistic career choice for him.
Maggi set us up with a nice picnic on the beach for our first night on the coast. I am not sure if this was before or after Darius kicked sand into the blueberries and raspberries.
Darius got right to work on building a sand castle.
Torin was working his “excavator” (ice cream scoop) most of the time.
Only Dad’s construction methods stood the test of time.
The boys also got really into collecting shells.
When we were not actually down on the beach, Darius kept a close eye on all of the goings-on.
Sunday morning called for a train ride: Rockaway Beach to Garibaldi.
The route covered 4 miles in 30 minutes, so there was plenty of time to take in the views.
Even Little Chief (a German Shepherd) got to watch out the window.
Torin experienced maximum tranquility on the train. We’ve never seen him so calm.
These are known as the Three Graces.
This keyhole in another rock is unnamed, as far as I know.
There was plenty to see for such a short ride.
The tracks were by vegetation about half the time, and directly on the water the other half.
The boys got along very well on this journey.
Darius really loves his little brother.
Part of the tracks put us right over a pond covered in water lilies.
The station in Garibaldi had some cars that were out of service.
Little Chief is a great companion.
Time to get goofy!
A nice stranger got all four of us after the return.
Darius has started to discover the magic of being buried in the sand.
It’s difficult to tell from this perspective, but Torin found a large hole someone else had dug out and had a great time with it.
Darius eventually joined him and they ran around posing for the camera.
Unbeknownst to us, it was National Ice Cream Day and the line was long at the Tillamook Creamery, but I think everyone found it to be worth the wait.
I think the boys could have spent an hour playing around in the “Yum Bus.” Torin was subsequently very sad to find out we do not have one in Moscow.
This will become a common phrase in our house.
Maggi’s still got it.
The boys don’t quite have it yet.
After a very cloudy day, the sun broke through for about five minutes and gave us this warm glory.
Even after the sun dipped below the horizon, we got a beautiful range of colors.
Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach
The boys got right to work in the sand while Mom blew bubbles all around them.
Eventually the bubble game became a little more active.
This stop was the cherry on top of a delightful weekend.
Mitchell’s Point along I-84 in Oregon.
The view from the lower trail at Mitchell’s Point.
The world is their oyster, although none were found on this beach.
