Aaaah … vacations! Whether it’s daring treks to Machu Picchu, weeks spent listening to the calming lilt of Irish brogues or a simple getaway to the Oregon coast, we all need these times away – to explore, to play, to escape…
Our end-of-summer holiday – to Puerto Nuevo – sounds more exotic (and expensive) than it actually is. We are really spending three days in Newport (get it? New = Nuevo, Port = Puerto; thanks to my buddy Greta for the euphemism).
But, truly, no euphemism is needed. We are exactly where we want to be – just Mom, Dad and the kids in our favorite Oregon coastal town. We have an oceanfront spot on spectacular Nye Beach – the view alone is worth the trip.
And we’re enjoying all of our favorite Newport destinations – we check out the tidepools at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, we take in the Bayfront, with its fishing boats, barking sea lions and funky tourist shops. We visit Mo’s where we all enjoy clam chowder – and saucy banter from the waitress. We even do some whale watching – sans binoculars we can easily see the spouting of some of the resident gray whales.
And, of course, we spend an afternoon at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, where we’ve been coming since the kids were little – and Keiko entertained. The kids, now teens, never balk at yet another visit. This time they’re entranced by Oddwater – and we fall in love, all over again, with the magic of the Passages of the Deep exhibit.
Most of our time, though, is spent walking on the beach or simply gazing out at the grand permanence of the Pacific. We haven’t traveled abroad or spent big bucks but there’s still a lot of awe – and aaah – involved in this getaway.
Visit www.newportchamber.org or www.visittheoregoncoast.com for more information.