Leete Letters

Spring Break- Campfire at the Beach

Wednesday after dinner and hanging out at the Beach house, the kids suggested we go build a fire on the beach. We thought that a good idea, since we expected rain the next day. So we drove the block to Agate Beach with wood, beach chairs, blankets, and goodies, and built a fire.

It wasn't quite like being on Avila Beach-a little chilly so we bundled up.

We talked with some nice local college guys that were home for the break. They were hauling in pallets for their fire.

We made woof'ems. Thank you Uncle David for teaching us how to do these!

Scary Brian!

It started to rain. Then started to pour- so we packed up and left. We were in the process of putting out our fire, when another family was arriving- so we turned it over to them. They must have really been die hards to sit out there in the down pour. Even the college kids cleared out.

We had a good time and were glad we went - but it was nice to get back to the house and dry off. It was very convenient to have a washer and dryer so we threw in our jeans so they'd be clean and dry for us in the morning. Kevin said it was quite the storm that night. From his bed in the loft he was woken up several times with the lightening lighting up the house and the rain pelting on the big windows. Melissa and Jessica who were sleeping in the front room- confirmed that.

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.