By the Seaside: Day 2

Seaside Trip continued...

Second day in Seaside we visited Camp 18, an old logging camp turned Restaurant.  They have cinnamon rolls the size of your head and pancakes, which they have named "Flat Cars", that are even bigger.

My breakfast of "flat cars", eggs, bacon, sausage and clogged arteries.

Next we went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, where workers make cheese while you stare at them from a platform behind glass like they're animals in a zoo. Then you visit the gift shop and buy a ridiculous amount of cheese and other cheese related souvenirs.

Cheeeeeeese!

I ended the day by visiting the Aquarium with my dad where we fed fish parts to adorable seals. There was one baby named Pinni that was too adorable; I tried to get a picture of her, but they were splashing too much and I was afraid my camera would fall victim to the seal waves.

At the Aquarium there was also a fish that had traveled for two years inside a Japanese fishing boat, eating off of the marine life that accumulated in the boat, after the 2011 tsunami.  I found it fascinating.  There is a little bit about it at the Seaside Aquarium site here if you're interested.  

They also had a whale skeleton.   I've always had a fascination/fear of whales.  (Used to think they were hiding in the deep end of swimming pools).

I also bought a souvenir pirate ship because why the hell not?

Here's the ship pillaging and plundering Dresser Giraffe Land.  Run giraffes, run!

We finished the day at the beach as the sun set.  I always aim to dip my toes into the ocean but usually end up submerged up to my rearend, thoroughly soaking my jeans.  I can't resist that freezing cold ocean water. 

Beautiful ocean, I wish I could live closer to you.

The next day as we headed out of rainy Seaside we got a flat tire so we visited a wonderful little shop called Les Schwab, where we ate popcorn for breakfast and watched a history channel show on how truly creepy Benjamin Franklin was, while our tire was fixed. Then followed up by a 4 hour drive home. Perfect end to a vacation.

By the Seaside: Day 1

October 1st, here we go.

I'm doing the Ultimate Blog Challenge, where you post each day in October and share with your fellow bloggers taking part in the challenge.  I was excited when I first heard about it.  I figured it would be a great way to get myself writing more and maybe attract a few more people to my blog.  So, if you stop by because of the Challenge: Hi! Good luck!

I recently went to Seaside, Oregon for a couple days.  I've been going there every summer since I can remember.  There are home videos of me at Seaside in a high chair.  It's always relaxing and a great break from the everyday, even if your everyday isn't all that thrilling like mine.

I went with my parents.  Yes, 24 and still going on vacations with my parents.  It's not that bad actually.

As we entered into Oregon from Washington across the bridge we saw a cruise ship docked.

Not to deter anyone that has been dying to go on an Astoria cruise, but we couldn't figure out what there really was to do in Astoria that warranted a cruise stop, but it seems they stop there frequently so they must have some fun excursions.  

After driving the four hours and finally arriving in Seaside, we settled in at our usual hotel The Tides and took in the beautiful ocean view, before going out to eat at Norma's.  It's a wonderful seafood restaurant in the main town of Seaside and no trip would be complete without a visit or two there.  Then we stopped and grabbed a large bag of saltwater taffy from the Candy Man store that boasts 170 flavors.  Most of them are delicious, there are a few iffy ones, like Butter and Black Licorice.  Usually the store is blasting The Candy Man song day in and day out until you hear it in your sleep, but they were playing circus music this time.  I felt disappointed and yet a little relieved.

This is what is left, but a few days ago when we purchased it, it was MUCH bigger.

Nothing like watching a beautiful sunset over the ocean.

Sorry it's through a window.

But after the sun sets, it's time for a couple fierce rounds of Hello Kitty Yahtzee.  Instead of numbers you have little cute Hello Kitty characters that go by names like Mimmy and Jodie, so you find yourself yelling "Come on Mimmy, I need a Yahtzee!" and when you don't get who you want you start to secretly resent that character.  "Shame on you Jodie for not playing nice!"

For some reason I cannot fathom, my dad refused to play Hello Kitty Yahtzee, but he liked to call it Catzee.

Turns out I got a little crazy with the pictures, so I'm splitting this up into two posts. Part 2 is tomorrow.  I know you are dying to read it... /sarcasm.