Florence to Depoe Bay, August 2

Our sand dune hike was so great yesterday that we woke up early this morning and did it again. We were the first ones on the dune, the first footsteps on the moonscape, except for a small animal (coyote?) who's tracks we follow along a ridge. The kids run and slide and roll down mountains of sand. It's hard to leave.

Later we take a buggy ride on the dunes. The driver gives us information and a few thrills as we drive up steep dunes and then head down nose first. He promises we'll be rocking but not rolling. We learn about the ghost forests the sand has consumed, and the 41 mile extent of the sand dune recreation area we are visiting. Huge. Last stop is the tallest dune, Honeyman, (over 300 feet, named after the man who donated this land that has become a national preserve).  He drives us up to the top of Honeyman Dune and stops so we can disembark and look around. Guess what? It's exactly where we had hiked this morning. We still love it though. The kids run and slide and roll some more. As Anna says, "This is more fun than being stuck in a tree." Which you have to admit is pretty darn fun.

The Buggy

 

The largest sea cave in America, (12 stories high and the length of a football field) is located just down the highway. It is home to a herd of Steller Sea Lions....200 or more. Today they are outside sunning themselves on the rocky shore. We can hear them growling and roaring and grumbling from our vantage point high above. We visit their den even though they aren't in it. An elevator takes us down into the depths and when the doors open, we are in the gigantic cavern. The sea moves in and out through the cave's gaping mouth. Pretty cool.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport is a class A establishment. Great exhibits, many touching pools, volunteers who engage and educate, and a passage of the deep tunnel where we walk among the sharks. Love the octopus. Love the sea nettles.

Tonight we're on the beach near Depoe Bay. A big beach walk with plans for kite flying tomorrow. Sound of the surf as we play Go Fish, (what else?)

Waiting for Sunset, Sean on left, Anna on right

Anna's Favorite: The Sea Lions and the Dunes and the Buggy
Message to Mom and Dad: "I'm having so much fun, I love the dunes there is so much desert, you have to try it."

Sean's Favorite: Sea Lion Cave
Message to Mom and Dad: "I miss you deeply but I am still having so much fun with Nana and Brokaw"