Cannon Beach, Oregon

I think I am the best at “not planning” weekend trips….

I prefer to call it, a “spontaneous adventure” that we just so happen to leave 2 hours behind schedule as well. ☺️

April 1st 2023:

Filled up the tank and hit the freeway to Cannon Beach, Oregon. We were fully expecting to be drenched in rain and wind the whole day. Thankfully to our suprise it was clear and sunny majority of the drive and time spent at the beach. Only one dark black storm cloud going into Portland.

First on my personal itinerary (let’s be honest I only make plans for special foods during trips), was to go and try my first Crepe from a small little place named “Crepe Nation”.

Not that at my traveling soul ever wants to think back to the COVID shutdown days, but they must enjoy the limited customer contact. We ordered strictly from an iPad at the front of the hut and only spoke to someone as they yelled your order numbers or names for the whole street to hear. I mean I can’t blame them to much, I try to avoid human contact also majority of the time.

We each got a strawberry crepe with whipped cream and powdered sugar. They were so fresh and sweet and just enough dough, holding it together in a nice paper triangle to-go. As we walked the streets looking at shops that caught our eyes.

Enough about food and shopping though we are here for the beach, the sand, the wildlife and sunshine! We started by heading to Ecola State Park located just a few minutes away from downtown.

The narrow winding road lined with moss covered trees and ferns as thick as you can imagine gave me a sense of hope for new life growth and green grass back home, hope for another season approaching. As soon as we pulled up to the parking lot to get our first glimpse at the ocean after 5 hours of driving, you guessed it, Rain and wind.

I tucked my camera close to my body and held my jacket shut as we, like everyone else, half way to the beach view made a B-Line for the covered shelter instead. After maybe 5 minutes of sideways rain it went back to sunshine for the duration of the trip. I couldn’t be more thankful!

Next we headed for Indian Beach just up the way. Indian Beach had an amazing pathway leading down to the rocks and sand.

The tide was low so we got to search the tidal pools for all kinds of sea life and shells that used to house said sea life.

Sea Urchin, Hermit crabs and small fish all making these small pools their daily homes until the tide returns to them.

As the evening was coming towards an end we made our way back down the coast line to Hay Stack Rock. With the sun peaking thru the moody storm clouds surrounding us, this seagull filled rock structure stood tall and strong as the waves crashed against it.

Being pounded by constant wind and sand was starting to get to us so we headed back to wrap up our day. Dinner was of course a bread bowl filled to the top with Clam Chowder from Mo’s Seafood and Chowder. As the soup met the needs of my taste buds and warmed my body, watching the couples, dogs, and family’s enjoy the beach and make memories for years to come warmed my heart. We got a window view seat and got to watch a family of four build a small fire on the beach and roast marshmallows as the sun went down.

With our belly’s full we made a late night stop at the shops down town and then hit the road for home.

My bed at 2 am has never felt better.

April 1st 2025 marks the start of our 2024 adventures. 📖🌄