Spring Break on the Coast - Day Two

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." -Jacques Cousteau

 
We woke up Tuesday morning with coastal towns on the brain. So we shoved everything in the van and set off. But not before making one last stop at Powell's. If you are a bookie at heart, you really really must see Powell's City of Books before leaving this life. The name is appropriate. To call it a bookstore is a great understatement. I walked into Powell's this morning and felt the sudden need to stay awhile. Jonah got a panicked look in his eyes and spent the next ten minutes trying to keep me from meandering to a far off corner and slipping into a bibliocoma. I just made that word up. It's the only term to accurately describe my state while visiting Powell's. Sabrina is my literary kindred spirit, and suffers from the same disease. The only known treatment is the purchasing of large sums of books. 

The other must-stop before saying good-bye to Portland was Blue Star Donuts. The. Best. Donuts. In. All. Of. Portland. I kid you not.

I don't usually pose with large boxes of donuts, but in the case of Blue Star, I simply had to take a moment. A gentleman passed by with his son and said, "See, I told you they're the best donuts. She's even taking a picture with them." 

 As you gaze upon this photo just let the salivary glands do their thing. When in Portland, eat one of these donuts. It will change your life. In our case, this was a snack for the road.

Some final shots on our way out of town. Cool buildings.

Cool bicyclist who matched his bike with his socks. He didn't know he was being admired by a minivan full of Utah hicks. We just wished we were as hipster as him.

Next stop, Depoe Bay. The world's smallest and quite possibly cutest harbor.

This was one chilly day, so we didn't stay long. Just long enough for some great photos. It was cold, but the lighting was FABULOUS.

There's that cute couple again. 

I seem to have a mild obsession with old walls displaying trails of spontaneous growth. The only thing that grows spontaneously in Utah is sagebrush. Ew.

I am also obsessed with this bridge. I can't decide which bridge I love most in Oregon. There are so many, and I love them all.

Tiny sleepy little harbor.

Neil began to speak of the resident seal that lives in the harbor. The kids looked at him like he was crazy. "What do you mean resident seal? You see a seal like once and decide that he's a regular? You're so silly, Dad!" The conversation went something like that.

As the scoffers looked over the wall, what should appear out of the dark water? None other than the resident seal. Don't question your dad, kids. Nobody knows the coast like he does.

We had seen our favorite waterfall, now it was time for our favorite lighthouse. Yaquina Head Lighthouse in Newport is just as postcard worthy as Multnomah Falls. It is always...always windy there.

Oh wait, is that a cute couple I see? Better snap a picture.

Jonah trying to spot a whale. No whales spotted this trip. I think we were a tad early for the migration back.

Did I mention that it was crazy windy?! Like knock you off your feet, twirl your hair into a rats nest windy. Hold your skirt down or you'll pull a Marilyn Monroe windy. Dad, can we get back in the van windy.

Jessica is the selfie extraordinaire of the family. That she can get herself and Taylor perfectly centered in every photo with a nice patch of scenery in the background nearly every shot is mind-boggling. I attribute it to her long arms and skilled cello fingers.

 Poor Taylor was so kind to humor us as we systematically fulfilled all Watson vacation traditions on this trip. Like how we have to get at least one Toyota Jump shot taken in rapid succession.

Very few people were crazy enough to be out on that cliff in that windstorm, so more photos devoid of tourists?...don't mind if I do.

We made one last stop to catch a glimpse of Heceta Head Lighthouse. This one has a special place in mine and Neil's heart as we stayed in the Lightkeeper's Home to the right for our anniversary a few years back. The best seven course breakfast I have ever eaten! 

The sea lions had congregated below us and were barking up a storm.

To find a pair of matching footwear in a minivan stuffed to the gills with people and paraphernalia...the struggle is real.

At last we landed at our little Beach Shack in Bandon. Home sweet home for the rest of the week. Tomorrow I will tell of how I came to fall in love with Bandon Oregon.