After what seemed like the term-that-never-would-end, we packed up a day early and headed to my favorite vacation spot. Yeah, it was nasty weather, but I didn't care - I was gonna travel, darn it!!
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| Obimaster, Samsonite, and SHH masked up in a rather deserted Seaside |
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| Chillin' in Newport ... literally! |
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| Trackin' down a box - success makes us smile! |
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| Yep - it was as damp and chilly as it looks! |
One thing I wanted to do while we were down in Newport was check out the new exhibit "Cruisin' the Fossil Coastline" at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. It did not disappoint!
The exhibit was all about an artist (Roy Troll) and paleontologist (Kirk Johnson) who traveled the west coast exploring and documenting deep time in a minivan they dubbed 'Vanibou' (complete with antlers!) - so cool!!
And then, we hung out with the other indoor exhibits,
But then, the weather brought us back to reality. We heard rumors that it was going to snow late Christmas Day - we had originally planned to leave the day after. So we made the difficult decision to leave Christmas morning and be back home before the roads got too dangerous. We had two choices from the Oregon Coast: up and over the mountains from Astoria to Raymond or eastward along the Columbia River toward Longview-Kelso to catch I-5 northbound. We opted for the quicker (over the mountains to Raymond) and it was a good choice. I heard that it was snowier inland, so sticking closer to the coast was a good move.
It has been snowing all around the PNW ever since, even here in Ocean Shores (WA). So, we are hunkered down for the second week of winter break. Oh yes, there has been carving and creating ... but that's another post :)
The entire exhibit was fascinating and entertaining,
but coming across this lino-cut art in the exhibit was perfect.
like the jellies and anemones, since it was pretty cold and hail-stormy outside.
The outside exhibits of puffins and otters will have to wait until our next visit.
We got to spend a glorious week in Newport, messin' around and hangin' out - visiting our favorite restaurants and shopping antique stores and galleries. If you are a regular reader of this blog,
you know I LOVE the Oregon Coast.
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| I highly recommend Nana's Irish Pub @ Nye Beach |
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| And we visited this lovely LFL at the Green Salmon coffee shop in Yachats |
But then, the weather brought us back to reality. We heard rumors that it was going to snow late Christmas Day - we had originally planned to leave the day after. So we made the difficult decision to leave Christmas morning and be back home before the roads got too dangerous. We had two choices from the Oregon Coast: up and over the mountains from Astoria to Raymond or eastward along the Columbia River toward Longview-Kelso to catch I-5 northbound. We opted for the quicker (over the mountains to Raymond) and it was a good choice. I heard that it was snowier inland, so sticking closer to the coast was a good move.
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| view from the passenger seat heading north on Hwy 101 |
It has been snowing all around the PNW ever since, even here in Ocean Shores (WA). So, we are hunkered down for the second week of winter break. Oh yes, there has been carving and creating ... but that's another post :)
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