Welcome back! Here’s Joshy on the beach in Lincoln City the first night. The one and only time we took a long evening walk on the beach together. Brrrrrr. Wellies, hats and layers of clothing were necessary.

We walked to the end of the beach and then returned to the hotel for four hot showers. Only one member of the family was not excited about the hot shower (looking at you, Bear Cub).

I love this picture.

The next morning. Every morning Josh would get up 1-2 hours before me and walk the dogs on the beach. This is a vacation trend with him. In San Francisco he ran across the Golden Gate Bridge before my eyelids even fluttered open.

This was my Best Costume for Today. We briefly visited the outlet mall in Lincoln City–I wasn’t going to mention it because I think it’s embarrassing, but eh, what is this blog for if not to cause me embarrassment? I hadn’t been to an outlet mall in over a decade and it was a horrible (albeit brief) experience. Josh ended up with two Under Armour shirts and I ended up with a 14 dollar green backpack, so at least it wasn’t a complete waste of time.

Driving down the coast of Lincoln City.

This cool lighthouse house caught my eye.

We stopped to check out the view–before I retreated to the car, since the wind was blowing my sundress up a’la Marilyn Monroe style. If only I had brought a pair of pettipants with me, sheesh!

We went downtown to check out a couple of the little novelty stores. I bought a magnet for Josh and I that says: “I will love you until I forget who you are“.

Briefly contemplating buying one of these body boards.

I successfully resisted buying these cheesy grapes placemats at a little antique store. Mostly because they were priced at 40 dollars and I thought that was overpriced. I’m more discriminating about my grapes purchases now, after a decade plus of collecting them.

Back to the hotel to change, and then it was onto a 3 mile hike featuring a suspension bridge and waterfall. The trail was beautifully maintained.

The foliage in Oregon looks just like the foliage in Washington. I suppose that’s why they lump our two states together into “The Pacific Northwest”, eh?

“Leash your dogs” is the general rule, but we find we can get away with having them off leash around 50% of the time. It hasn’t been a problem so far…(knock on wood).

I wore a lipstain by Make-Up Forever on our hike (I know, I know) and it stayed on the ENTIRE TIME. Impressive!

In order to get close to the waterfall, you have to cross this lovely suspension bridge.

I was doing just fine crossing the bridge until I looked down to snap a shot of the “One Love” written in the sand, then POW! A wave of nausea. That’s why they tell you to not look down! On the way back across the bridge later I charged across with Maggie in front and Bear Cub behind me without looking down once. I told myself that my self-assurance kept the dogs calm.

Waterfall view, from the other side of the suspension bridge.

And further below. There was a group of people frolicking in the water in their underpants at the base of the waterfall and I felt a little weird about taking pictures of them. Josh didn’t seem to mind, though, snapping away with his iphone.

Looking up at the bridge.

After the hike, we drove down to Newport–to check out the “Deco District”, visit the bayfront, and take 10,000 photos, so stay tuned for that!