Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone! I’ve been a little slow to post this past week because we just returned from vacation and I’ve been buried under piles of laundry and welcome-home-chores, however, I’m back and I’m ready to share our trip with you.

As I said, we just returned from our annual summer trip to the Pacific Northwest (home for us) and our yearly pilgrimage to the beach. Every summer my entire extended family packs up their shovels & pails, camping gear (although we never end up camping out on the beach), and my dad’s custom campfire forks (more about that in a later post) and heads south to the Oregon Coast. Although there are many salty, windswept towns to lodge in, we always stay at Cannon Beach. Located just 80 miles NW of Portland and 200 miles due South of Seattle, this seaside town provides miles and miles of beautiful beach, tons of great restaurants, and more shops and art galleries than you can shake a stick at. Take a look at some of the highlights of our trip…

A panoramic view of Cannon Beach

Haystack Rock; the setting for the classic 1980’s movie, The Goonies.

When I was a kid we were able to climb all over the rock, but now the bulk of it is closed to protect the local Tufted Puffin population.

However, at low tide, you’re able to view (and touch) the small sea creatures that make their home in the tide pools. In an effort to educate the public, the Haystack Rock Awareness Program parks a truck on the beach and provides photos and information about the local bird and marine life and is on hand to answer any questions you may have.

One of my nephews running to catch the setting sun, which is somehow more beautiful on the beach.

You can read more about visiting Cannon Beach, Oregon on their Chamber of Commerce website.

Up next…tasty campfire treats, so be sure to check back soon!