Oregon Coast Travel Diary | Circa 2016
September 16, 2016
One of my favorite bloggers (Kelsey from A Balancing Peach) recently touched on the point that not every post has to be a tutorial with a numbered check-list. This may not seem like a big deal, however, her statement could not have been better timed for me.
Lately, I have found myself stressing over having to create perfectly laid out travel posts. You know, pinterest worthy guides with gorgeous photos, helpful lists, restaurant tips, etc. I love making these, but turning every trip into one is not always easy for me. Occasionally I just enjoy going on mini vacations and do not have anything worthy of making into a guide. Sometimes I just relax at the beach and take pretty pictures. And the fact that I do not have “perfect photographs” or enough experience in the area to write a travel guide is not something I want to hold me back from sharing the photographs with you. Thus, this post is just going to be more of a travel diary. I hope you will still enjoy it!
On Friday, two weeks ago, my family and I drove out to the coast for our Labour Day weekend. We stayed in Coos Bay, but spent most of our time exploring different surrounding beaches. The first place we stopped at on the way there was Cape Perpetua. I had not been there for over eight years and, like I said on instagram, had completely forgotten just how pretty it is there. Honestly, it has to be one of the most breathtaking views at the Oregon Coast! I was so in love with this view and could have stayed here for hours on end. Definitely a new favorite spot!
“The ocean is everything I want to be. Beautiful, mysterious, wild, and free.”
The sunset we got to watch that night was honestly one of the prettiest I have ever beheld. I have never seen a cloud quite like this one! I mean, it is a perfect shape, was illuminated by the sun, and has light shining through the middle onto the ocean. Not to mention, it was literally this vibrant. No fake filters for this photo. It really was THAT colorful. ????????????
On Saturday, we visited Shore Acres State Park ↑ which was so lovely. It had beautiful gardens and an absolutely breathtaking ocean view that I simply could not get enough of. From one of the viewpoints, we were able to watch gray whales spouting and splashing their tales for over 20 minutes which was a lot of fun! Unfortunately, I forgot the big lens for my Canon camera at home (????) so I was unable to get any photos. I did get some footage of the whales with my olympus camera, though, and will be sharing that on my instagram soon!
After a few hours spent at Shore Acres, we went to the Simpson Reef Overlook to see Sea Lions (I could only get these on video too) and then Cape Arago to see the lighthouse.
On Sunday, we went to Bandon’s West Coast Game Park Safari. Everyone had fun looking at the featured animals, but the petting zoo animals were the real favorites as you could actually spend time with them. My little brother Charlie, as you can clearly see, absolutely “hated” the donkeys. I mean, get a look at that gin! haha He followed that animal everywhere.
Afterwards, we went to the Coquille River Lighthouse and Face Rock Creamery for some ice cream. This was our first time at this creamery and we really enjoyed it as they give you ginormous amounts of ice cream for just $3 (a much better deal that Tillamook Ice Creamery) and their flavors were delicious – loved the mango sorbet especially!
On Monday, we went back to Bandon Beach, but this time in the early morning. It was so beautiful and I really enjoyed walking through the caves, seeing all of the beautiful rock formations, and looking at all of the shells and sea anemones. It was also nice to meet the Circles in The Sand creator Denny Dyke and walk through his mazes of art. Such a talented person!
Have you ever been to the Southern part of the Oregon Coast? And what did you do for your Labour Day weekend? Let me know in the comments!
xo, mikéla
Oregon Coast Travel Diary | Circa 2016
September 16, 2016
One of my favorite bloggers (Kelsey from A Balancing Peach) recently touched on the point that not every post has to be a tutorial with a numbered check-list. This may not seem like a big deal, however, her statement could not have been better timed for me.
Lately, I have found myself stressing over having to create perfectly laid out travel posts. You know, pinterest worthy guides with gorgeous photos, helpful lists, restaurant tips, etc. I love making these, but turning every trip into one is not always easy for me. Occasionally I just enjoy going on mini vacations and do not have anything worthy of making into a guide. Sometimes I just relax at the beach and take pretty pictures. And the fact that I do not have “perfect photographs” or enough experience in the area to write a travel guide is not something I want to hold me back from sharing the photographs with you. Thus, this post is just going to be more of a travel diary. I hope you will still enjoy it!
On Friday, two weeks ago, my family and I drove out to the coast for our Labour Day weekend. We stayed in Coos Bay, but spent most of our time exploring different surrounding beaches. The first place we stopped at on the way there was Cape Perpetua. I had not been there for over eight years and, like I said on instagram, had completely forgotten just how pretty it is there. Honestly, it has to be one of the most breathtaking views at the Oregon Coast! I was so in love with this view and could have stayed here for hours on end. Definitely a new favorite spot!
“The ocean is everything I want to be. Beautiful, mysterious, wild, and free.”
The sunset we got to watch that night was honestly one of the prettiest I have ever beheld. I have never seen a cloud quite like this one! I mean, it is a perfect shape, was illuminated by the sun, and has light shining through the middle onto the ocean. Not to mention, it was literally this vibrant. No fake filters for this photo. It really was THAT colorful. ????????????
On Saturday, we visited Shore Acres State Park ↑ which was so lovely. It had beautiful gardens and an absolutely breathtaking ocean view that I simply could not get enough of. From one of the viewpoints, we were able to watch gray whales spouting and splashing their tales for over 20 minutes which was a lot of fun! Unfortunately, I forgot the big lens for my Canon camera at home (????) so I was unable to get any photos. I did get some footage of the whales with my olympus camera, though, and will be sharing that on my instagram soon!
After a few hours spent at Shore Acres, we went to the Simpson Reef Overlook to see Sea Lions (I could only get these on video too) and then Cape Arago to see the lighthouse.
On Sunday, we went to Bandon’s West Coast Game Park Safari. Everyone had fun looking at the featured animals, but the petting zoo animals were the real favorites as you could actually spend time with them. My little brother Charlie, as you can clearly see, absolutely “hated” the donkeys. I mean, get a look at that gin! haha He followed that animal everywhere.
Afterwards, we went to the Coquille River Lighthouse and Face Rock Creamery for some ice cream. This was our first time at this creamery and we really enjoyed it as they give you ginormous amounts of ice cream for just $3 (a much better deal that Tillamook Ice Creamery) and their flavors were delicious – loved the mango sorbet especially!
On Monday, we went back to Bandon Beach, but this time in the early morning. It was so beautiful and I really enjoyed walking through the caves, seeing all of the beautiful rock formations, and looking at all of the shells and sea anemones. It was also nice to meet the Circles in The Sand creator Denny Dyke and walk through his mazes of art. Such a talented person!
September 16th, 2016 at 2:26 pm
What a gorgeous place! Love the photos.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
September 16th, 2016 at 3:01 pm
Thank you!
September 16th, 2016 at 6:06 pm
Such a gorgeous place. The water looks amazing!!!
September 16th, 2016 at 6:34 pm
It really is! I could look at that water all day 😉
September 16th, 2016 at 10:17 pm
Love these photos! xoxo
September 19th, 2016 at 3:49 pm
Thank you! xo
September 16th, 2016 at 10:40 pm
Such gorgeous photos!! So beautiful and peaceful 🙂
Xx
Molly
http://www.trendychickadee.com
September 19th, 2016 at 3:53 pm
Thank you Molly! 🙂
September 17th, 2016 at 4:31 am
You go to the most incredible places. And your photos are perfect. You have great photography skills 😉
Mich x
michjosephblog.wordpress.com
September 19th, 2016 at 3:54 pm
Thanks so much dear!
September 17th, 2016 at 10:32 am
lovely pictures 🙂
September 19th, 2016 at 3:54 pm
Thank you!
September 17th, 2016 at 2:36 pm
You sweetheart! Thank you so much for the shout out and I absolutely love your travel diary. That first photo + the photo of the light house had me drooling! Lighthouses are one of my favorite things ever so I always just love seeing travel photos with them in it. You always make me so excited to head out and see the Oregon coast. xo
Kelsey | http://www.abalancingpeach.com
September 19th, 2016 at 3:55 pm
Thanks Kelsey! And same here, I always want to travel to places with lighthouses as well. xo
September 17th, 2016 at 10:04 pm
what a dreamy place! such pretty beach photos!
kelseybang.com
September 19th, 2016 at 3:56 pm
Thank you!
September 18th, 2016 at 3:57 am
These photos are so stunning and clear! What camera do you use?
Aleeha xXx
http://www.halesaaw.com/
September 19th, 2016 at 3:57 pm
Thanks Aleeha! I usually use my Canon 6D for photography, though I sometimes use my Olympus OMD EM5 Mark II as well.
September 18th, 2016 at 10:28 am
Your blog is lovely. Amazing photos and great posts!xx
http://www.basicallyalice.blogspot.co.uk
September 19th, 2016 at 3:57 pm
Thanks Alice! xo
September 18th, 2016 at 6:07 pm
How stunning are these photos!? That first one looks like a post card!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
September 19th, 2016 at 3:58 pm
Thank you Shannon! ♥︎
September 18th, 2016 at 6:17 pm
Girl you are CRAZY if you think these photos aren’t perfect- they are absolutely gorgeous!! You have captured the motion of the sea so perfectly. It looks like such a lovely place to escape for a weekend away. Your little brother hugging the donkey is too adorable!
Rachel xx
http://www.thedailyluxe.net
September 19th, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Thank you Rachel! You’re so sweet dear. ♥︎♥︎
September 18th, 2016 at 10:03 pm
These photos are so beautiful
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
September 19th, 2016 at 4:02 pm
Thanks Laura!
September 19th, 2016 at 7:15 am
Gorgeous! Your posts always make me want to visit Oregon! I am so captivated by the sea, maybe that’s because I’ve always been land-locked… but I just love any chance I get to see the water. This looks so beautiful with lots to do and see. So wonderful you got to see whales. They are my favorite animals, ever. We have been whale watching on travels in Alaska and Boston, but were so happy to see them from the beach and the drive in Big Sur, CA as well. Such a treat to see them always. 🙂 Glad you had a great time! Labor Day weekend we were lucky to spend mostly relaxed at home. I think I read and cooked a lot which was a treat for me. We also did a family game night and a Gilmore Girls night with friends. 🙂 XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
September 19th, 2016 at 4:39 pm
Thanks Alexandra! I am so captivated by the sea as well. It doesn’t matter how many times I go, I always love it just as much. 🙂 Glad you had a good Labour Day weekend – family game nights are always fun!
September 19th, 2016 at 3:31 pm
You really have an amazing eye for taking and editing photographs. I think these are absolutely stunning. And I don’t mind at all that this post isn’t a full-on guide, and that it mostly just has (gorgeous!) photos and little snippets about what you did. Actually, I LOVE it. Would love to see more posts just like this. Thanks for sharing 🙂
September 19th, 2016 at 4:41 pm
Thank you!! I’m so glad you like them! ♥︎
September 19th, 2016 at 8:02 pm
Oh my goodness! You captured this perfectly. Now I want to go there! Pinning for later.
xx Leah / http://www.eatpraywearlove.com
September 20th, 2016 at 1:26 pm
Thanks Leah! xox
September 19th, 2016 at 11:09 pm
Breathtaking photos! I need to make sure I make a trip to the Oregon coast next summer. Summers in the PNW are absolutely the best! By the way, that photo of your brother is too stinkin cute!
Tina
http://www.justatinabit.com
September 20th, 2016 at 1:28 pm
Thanks! And if you do, make sure to let me know 😉 I’d love to meet up!
September 19th, 2016 at 11:14 pm
Thinking about everything in blog format is such a pain. I find myself doing that more and more often, and it just takes the fun away, doesn’t it?
September 20th, 2016 at 1:28 pm
Yes, it really does sometimes 🙂
September 20th, 2016 at 1:31 am
wow! this travel diary was such a pleasure to stumble upon. i think alot of us are too caught up in making things perfect we forget to live a little. It sounds like you had a wonderful time.
http://www.thewhimsicalwildling.com/
September 20th, 2016 at 1:30 pm
Oh I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by Eloise! xo
September 20th, 2016 at 2:25 pm
It’s great that you put so much thought into how you’d like to post. But honestly your photos are always so gorgeous that I would view them in any format 🙂 Looks like the most peaceful place. And your brother certainly looks like he’s made a good friend 🙂
xx Yasmin
http://banglesandbungalows.com
September 21st, 2016 at 10:21 am
That means so much to me Yasmin! Thank you! xo
September 21st, 2016 at 2:41 am
What beautiful pictures, an incredible place!
Have a lovely day 🙂
Rosanna x
September 21st, 2016 at 9:37 am
The way you’ve captured the beach, it’s just breath taking and beautiful. Your little brother is so cute and his love for donkeys is just adorable x
Beauty with charm
September 21st, 2016 at 10:23 am
Thanks Alina! xox
September 24th, 2016 at 3:15 am
Your photos are amazing and I really enjoy looking at them. It makes me want to travel all these places and enjoy the view and that breathtaking sunset 🙂 When I plan to go somewhere, I check my camera bag quite a few times just to make sure I have everything, I would be so dammed if it happened to me 🙁 Hopefully you will get another chance later on 🙂 xx
Ela BellaWorld
September 26th, 2016 at 12:05 pm
It looks stunning there! The colors from the sunset is incredible and the donkey is so cute! Sometimes trying to make things look perfect can be stressful. So glad you plan on just enjoying sharing the photos 🙂
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
October 1st, 2016 at 5:54 am
I love this! Thanks for sharing. ♥ xx
Mai | Ohiamiht