Cannon Beach to Beacon Rock August 5

We have fond memories of Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock from a family trip we took in 2007.

We rise early so Brokaw can drop us off at the beach. He will ready the trailer while we explore the beach at low tide. Haystack Rock has beautifully intricate tide pools and when the tide goes out so much is revealed. The shade is pulled up and we get to peer and touch (ever so respectfully). And then the tide comes in, the shade goes down, and if you hadn't borne witness you'd never believe what's under that water.

Adorables

The Haystack Rock Awareness Program provides volunteers who stroll the beach and point out various sea creatures and answer questions. They provide equipment like telescopes and magnifying glasses for better views. One large boulder holds dozens of different critters in a rainbow of colors and a kaleidoscope of shapes and textures. . .barnacles, starfish, mussels, anemones, sea slugs, tube worms, and more. Fascinating and engrossing. Hard to leave.

Beach Friend

We walk from the beach into the town of Cannon Beach to meet Brokaw. We make a stop at the bakery for lunchtime treats and to purchase some shells for souvenirs.

We turn away from the coast and head inland towards another favorite place from our trip in 2007, Multnomah Falls. The parking area is clogged. The slots reserved for RVs are filled with double parked cars, rightfully infuriating our chauffeur.  Nana, Sean and Anna jump out of the truck and take the hike to what a two-year-old Anna once called "the waterfall and the bridge". It's crowded, but still remarkably gorgeous. A natural phenomenon  with a 500+ drop. The forest service has set up an informational kiosk were we can stroke a fox pelt, handle the skull of a bear and admire a set of antlers.

The Bridge

The Waterfall and the Bridge

Foxy Fascination

Down the road apiece is the Bonneville Fish Hatchery where rainbow trout, salmon and sturgeon await. The rainbow trout are not raised here, but are kept in ponds for visitors to view and enjoy. We buy food pellets and toss them to the fish. The reaction is swift and thrilling as the fish rise in a singular rush towards the bait. We repeat the process until we run out of quarters for the pellet machine. (All of the money collected is used for upkeep of these lovely grounds).

Feeding the Rainbows

There is a window providing underwater views of the sturgeon pond. This pond is where Herman lives. Herman the Sturgeon is 10 feet long, weighs 400 pounds and is as old as Nana. (impressive)  We watch him and his cronies from below the waterline and then from above, looking down into the pool from the viewing platform.

Herman

Underwater View

We cross the Columbia River on the Bridge of the Gods. The views up and down river are fabulous. We are all entranced.
This is our last night on the road. Our campsite is in Beacon Rock State Park, (the rock was named by Lewis and Clark). It's Sunday night and there is only one other camper. We kick back and enjoy the late afternoon and evening. Brokaw makes a campfire with the assistance of our Daisy graduate. Sean flies his propeller purchased at the Tillamook Air Museum in the grassy tract near the trailer. We lay out our seashells to admire and make a few trades. There are marshmallows after dinner....(the whole bag??) and tall tales before bed. We fall asleep listening to the trains roll along the river, happy, knowing we'll soon be "home", and a little melancholy knowing our adventure is ending.

Camp Director

Shell Selection

Ms Brownie

Kicking Back