Pacific (Birthday) City

Last Sunday was my birthday, wa-hoo! To celebrate in an extra-ordinary way, Andy, Alton and I went out to the Oregon Coast. (With Minerva, of course.) We'd taken a similar fall minibreak out to Seaside last October, but this time decided to try something a little more cozy and a little less touristy. We found a vacation home rental for the weekend in Pacific City, a farther drive from our house, but a quite small, friendly little beach town and fully-equipped house for us to stay in. It had a gas fireplace in case it got rainy and chill, was walking distance to the beach, and plenty of space for us to stretch out. We left Hillsboro on Friday after the work day, and arrived in Pacific City to check in and hit a pub for dinner just in time for this sunset.

The next morning we were up and ready to go amidst Alton's choruses of "We are going to the beach!" But first, breakfast at a local cafe called "The Grateful Bread."

We had bacon, challah french toast, and some unwilling kisses.

Alton was in apple juice heaven--his favorite treat ever.

Back to the beach house, loaded up with towels and chairs to sit on (Andy and me) and monster trucks to play with (Alton), and we began our trek up 'n over the dune bridge that linked the housing community to the sand.

Dune Bridge - Crossroads!

On the sand, settled happily in chairs in the sun, it's playtime.

Alton picked up seaweed debris to use as cargo for his monster trucks--they are not just crushers, they are a gloppy leaf delivery service.

Our view of the iconic Haystack Rock.

I took Minerva on her long lead to go for a swim in the surf.

The dudes on the beach.

After awhile, it was time to go back home for lunch. Alton downed some mac 'n cheese at the dinner table, then went down for a nap...

while I took one of the cruiser bikes that belonged to the house and pedaled up the road to Ben & Jeff's Burgers and got takeout lunch for Andy and me to enjoy on the sunny deck!

Someone begged to come outside.

After the meal, I settled back in the sunshine to read my book while Andy and Minerva went on a major hike. They headed back to the beach and this time decided to scale this huge dune, for which Pacific City is known: (note the tiny specks at the top that are people!)

Andy's views from the top, down to the beach where we frolicked earlier.



Pacific City is also known for kite flying.

The grey marine layer started rolling in and it was time to head home, where Minerva was finally, finally tired.

While I showered in preparation for our family dinner out, Andy and Alton enjoyed some bubbles out on the patio.

(Dang, does this kid like bubbles or what?)


He had time to squeeze in a little dancing...

some hanging out with a snack and a dawg...

...and a monster truck rally, of course. He loooooves crushing the cars.

I had put out an APB to my local Oregonian friends to ask for a recommendation for a nice place on the coast for dinner, and several suggestions led us to The Bay House in Lincoln City. True to its name, the dining room afforded views of a little estuary outside.

We perused the extensive wine list, enjoyed a delicious meal, and Alton was smiled at indulgently by most of the other diners in the room. He even hopped out of his chair to sit in Daddy's lap for a minute and take this picture! What a natural.

Too much fun! Rainy weather the next morning had us not-so-reluctantly saying goodbye to the beach, then heading home for unpacking (Andy and Alton) and mani/pedis (me). Hey, it was my birthday, after all!