What the...? Yes, we went back to Coos Bay, OR after going down to Port Orford, OR. Yes, it sounds ridiculous, but for my family, especially my "Meatball", it was beyond "well worth it". Details a little later.
Before we left Salem, we got some gas and met the happiest/chattiest gas attendant so far, at the Shell Station. He made us smile because of his energy. Energy I lacked completely even though I passed out so in the evening the night before. Of course, our smiles didn't last long because our GPS mad us "go residential" and we our first bout of "GPS Confusion".
With how insane things can be on the road, and how this is SUPPOSED to be a vacation, I kept asking myself, "Why in the hell did you decide to start this travel blog?!" There's so much writing and I'm already so busy either prepping things or putting things away. I decided to give up "pre-writing" and just take in the sights and jot notes to remind me to write about stuff later. I'm so glad I did! If I didn't, I would have missed out on Judas' excitement over a "Destruct-a-con", with symbol included. I also wouldn't have realized how much "Donut" was singing to himself. He may speak "Minion", but he sounds so frickin' adorable when he's just singing in his own little world.
Besides listening to "Donut", we listen to Ravi Zacharias speak about Job. He's so listenable. And hey! It was Sunday. "Church on the road".
Our van was full of excitement because we were going to see FISH! My boys love going to aquariums (unlike me, who has a fear of them). So, because I love my children more than my fears, we took the to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. It's quoted for being on the Top 10 of aquariums in the U.S., but we've honestly been to better. I wish I had actually known about the Aquarium Village down the road and went there instead. It looked way more interesting, but the kids enjoyed seeing the fish and seal lions and seals anyway.
Before we left Salem, we got some gas and met the happiest/chattiest gas attendant so far, at the Shell Station. He made us smile because of his energy. Energy I lacked completely even though I passed out so in the evening the night before. Of course, our smiles didn't last long because our GPS mad us "go residential" and we our first bout of "GPS Confusion".
With how insane things can be on the road, and how this is SUPPOSED to be a vacation, I kept asking myself, "Why in the hell did you decide to start this travel blog?!" There's so much writing and I'm already so busy either prepping things or putting things away. I decided to give up "pre-writing" and just take in the sights and jot notes to remind me to write about stuff later. I'm so glad I did! If I didn't, I would have missed out on Judas' excitement over a "Destruct-a-con", with symbol included. I also wouldn't have realized how much "Donut" was singing to himself. He may speak "Minion", but he sounds so frickin' adorable when he's just singing in his own little world.
Besides listening to "Donut", we listen to Ravi Zacharias speak about Job. He's so listenable. And hey! It was Sunday. "Church on the road".
Our van was full of excitement because we were going to see FISH! My boys love going to aquariums (unlike me, who has a fear of them). So, because I love my children more than my fears, we took the to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. It's quoted for being on the Top 10 of aquariums in the U.S., but we've honestly been to better. I wish I had actually known about the Aquarium Village down the road and went there instead. It looked way more interesting, but the kids enjoyed seeing the fish and seal lions and seals anyway.
Walking through the aquarium and past the gift shop area, I saw that they were selling fudge. Which made me think, "Why do they sell fudge EVERYWHERE?!" I don't see what fudge has to do with fish or almost anything that happens in the places where I see it for sale. And it's always the same fudge, not even locally made or anything. Anyway...just a weird observation.
If I can suggest something: If you ever get the chance to drive HWY 101 down the coast of Oregon, do it. It is absolutely beautiful. You've got sandy beaches, cliffs, mountains, huge trees, and my favorite...small "sea towns". I love them. Be on the look out for farmers' markets and produce stands. Stop when you can. We stopped and got about 1 1/2 lbs of cherries (a family favorite). Of course, you can pay a price fro the organic quality (we paid $10), but they are great tasting and you are supporting the local growers. Also, if you are planning a camping road trip, like some of our close friends who are planning an epic 4-month camping adventrue, HWY 101 has some wonderful campsites all along the way!
If I can suggest something: If you ever get the chance to drive HWY 101 down the coast of Oregon, do it. It is absolutely beautiful. You've got sandy beaches, cliffs, mountains, huge trees, and my favorite...small "sea towns". I love them. Be on the look out for farmers' markets and produce stands. Stop when you can. We stopped and got about 1 1/2 lbs of cherries (a family favorite). Of course, you can pay a price fro the organic quality (we paid $10), but they are great tasting and you are supporting the local growers. Also, if you are planning a camping road trip, like some of our close friends who are planning an epic 4-month camping adventrue, HWY 101 has some wonderful campsites all along the way!
After dealing with a camera "snafu" (yes, I dropped the damn thing), I finally got it working just in time to get to our next destination, the Sea Lion Caves. Judas remembers going there as a child and getting a little camera that, like a view finder, should pictures of sea lions. He enjoyed that toy so much that we specifically looked for and asked for it there for the boys. Unfortunately, they stopped selling them less than SEVEN years ago...ha.
They gave a military discount, like most places in the U.S., but made the deal even sweeter....well, salter by giving us free popcorn as part of the discount as well! You can actually take it down into the cave with you, if the wind doesn't blow it all away before you get to the elevator (Judas remembers being able to take the stairs all the way down, but there was no access to them).
While down in the cave, you need to keep noise down and flashes off (mine accidentally went off, but I didn't get into any trouble). I'm actually really proud of my boys for being so quiet. That's a tough thing for toddlers. There were only three sea lions there, so be prepared that there is always a possibility that you get there and there, and there won't be any sea lions to see. "Meatball" was kind of bored by the experience. In fact, he even told a couple as they were walking down to head towards the caves, "BOOOOORIIING!"
They gave a military discount, like most places in the U.S., but made the deal even sweeter....well, salter by giving us free popcorn as part of the discount as well! You can actually take it down into the cave with you, if the wind doesn't blow it all away before you get to the elevator (Judas remembers being able to take the stairs all the way down, but there was no access to them).
While down in the cave, you need to keep noise down and flashes off (mine accidentally went off, but I didn't get into any trouble). I'm actually really proud of my boys for being so quiet. That's a tough thing for toddlers. There were only three sea lions there, so be prepared that there is always a possibility that you get there and there, and there won't be any sea lions to see. "Meatball" was kind of bored by the experience. In fact, he even told a couple as they were walking down to head towards the caves, "BOOOOORIIING!"
Now for the reason we went completely out of our way: The Prehistoric Gardens. Anyone who knows "Meatball" knows that he is beyond obsessed with dinosaurs. When I found this on Roadside America, I knew we had to go. And again, it was more than worth it. Running on a path through a forest to find true-to-size dinos, was a fantastic treat for us. We actually made it through the trail TWO times in 30 minutes. We probably could have stayed a little longer, except that they were closing soon and because there was a very grouchy baby attached to Mama. But the boys absolutely loved it!
So, yes, we drove back the way we came from and reached the Best Western Plus - Holiday Hotel in Coos Bay, OR. After we got there we realized we needed almond milk, so I got to take the van off to the store by myself.
I didn't realize how badly I needed a break. I bought myself a piece of dulce de leche cake and ate it in the parking lot just for sheer peace. I need to remember this a vacation...RELAX!
I didn't realize how badly I needed a break. I bought myself a piece of dulce de leche cake and ate it in the parking lot just for sheer peace. I need to remember this a vacation...RELAX!