Spring Break- Newport Bay

After visiting Yaquina Head we headed towards Newport Bay. I desperately wanted to find a glass float hidden on the beach- however they were hidden up the coast closer to Lincoln City, and no one wanted to go scour the beach with me, so I took them to Pyromania Glass Studio instead. We watched the glass blower make three floats. We bought the 3rd one! It needed to be cooled so we would need to pick it the next day.Rachel spent her allowance and bought this float:

Here is the one I got. Isn't it beautiful?! It now sits in my kitchen window.

We drove around the bay and saw all the unique shops. We went to the Yaquina Bay lighthouse. I missed it, and Brian had to point it out to me because it was hidden in the park amongst the trees. The kids had caught the spirit of kite flying, and asked to stop so they could fly kits. So we did. It was a very windy day! I got the box kite up and flying.

The stunt kite was the kids favorite.

Kevin took a turn and was able to dive and loop close to the ground.
The bat kite was a little boring, so they tied it to a log as they dug in the sand.

We had fun, but the wind picked up pretty hard- we had to take them down. The stunt kite took a few too many dives and ended up with a hole in it. We packed up and went back to the house. On the way we decided to eat dinner at Izzy's. It was up on the hill overlooking the beach.

Spring Break- Lighthouse and Tidepools

Wednesday after sleeping in and enjoying a leisurely breakfast, we headed out to explore the Newport Bay Area. First stop: Yaqunia Head Lighthouse.

We visited the visitors center, I bought a pin for my hat, then we checked out the lighthouse. It was a pretty windy day. They had whale watching volunteers posted to help us spot whales, but no luck. The guides explained that the wind was making it hard to see the heart shaped spouts, and too much white caps. The whales where hidden under the swells. None were spotted. We got in line to tour the lighthouse, but decided we didn't want to wait so headed down to the tide pools.

Looking down at the tide pools

Down the stairs and walking the cobble stones. And there were A LOT of cobblestone!!!! Pretty wobbly to walk on.

Pretty landscape.
Kevin explores. . .

And finds a scenic spot.

The tide pools were full of things to see: Sea Anemone

Starfish

And countless mussels.

Melissa and Rachel stroll.

Rachel and the Lighthouse.

Brian and Jessica enjoy the sights.

Spring Break-Agate Beach & Flying Kites

After we unloaded the car, everyone chose their bed, explored the house, then we headed off to the beach (except for Kevin who hung out at the house and listened to Louie Armstrong Cd's). We thought we could enter here at the end of our drive, but found it to be a cliff.So we walked down the road to the state park entrance. I've always had a thing with kites- I think they are so pretty. The kids thought I was a little kite crazy as I picked some up for the trip. I got a spinney box one at Costco, and a bat kite and stunt kite at Fred Meyer. I was ready to buy more, but the kids said that 3 were plenty and that they'd share. We got out the bat kite first and it went up like a piece of cake. Of course they had to decide who got to fly it first!Rachel holds it up for the take off.Yea! It works! Rachel takes a turn.A good shot with the lighthouse in the background.

Now for the stunt kite.

Reading the flight instructions.
Learning to keep it up and then the fun begins!

A stroll on the waterfront. After the girls headed back, Brian and I stuck around to see the sunset, but this was about all we saw. The sun disappeared into the clouds.

Then we joined the kids back at the house and cooked and ate dinner.

It was a nice first day at the beach!