On Mother's Day, Nancy and I (and Milo) packed up the car and began our 450-mile road trip to meet two of my sisters in Manzanita, Oregon for a week on the coast. Curiously, a few days before the trip, the photo above popped up on my PC as Bing wallpaper. Coincidence or not? Anyway, the photo in the wallpaper shows Ecola State Park. In the background can be seen famous Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. Cannon Beach is a small resort town eleven miles north of where we stayed in Manzanita. We visited Cannon Beach a couple of times during our stay. |
| Ecola State Park looking north from Cannon Beach |
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Nancy and Milo in front of Haystack Rock
(a very windy day!) |
When I was young, the Oregon Coast was a much-requested destination for a summer family vacation. Mom especially loved the coast, and Cannon Beach was at the top of her list of places to visit. With mom's passing in January, we figured it fitting to return to the place she treasured as we thought about her and her impact on our lives on Mother's Day. |
| Haystack Rock and Cannon Beach looking to the north. |
I could tell many tales about those early adventures exploring Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock, and the always fascinating tidal pools from more than 50 years ago. The place has changed quite a bit in those intervening years. What was once a quiet town is now a bustling tourist magnet. The magnificent Haystack Rock, however, remains the same. Returning brought back many happy memories of my time as a young lad.
For now, a selection of photos from our latest adventure.
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Manzanita Beach and Neakahnie Mountain.
View from our AirBnB. |
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| Sunset over Manzanita Beach. |
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| Dogs exploring (Milo in the middle). |
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| Arcadia Beach |
Back home, we enjoyed the flowering crabapple trees in full bloom before we left for the coast. Blooms were a week or two early this year.Although hobby time has been much constrained this month with travel and the arrival of house guests the next two weeks, perhaps some painted figures will roll out from the painting desk soon. We will see.
Wow, the coast looks stunning. Glad you could turn back time just a little during this vacation. Thanks for sharing this, Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteIt is stunning! We turned back time just a little bit with this trip. Very good to see that this post made it to the blogroll in a timely manner.
DeleteBeautiful photos John. What a lovely part of the world.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the Oregon Coast is beautiful.
DeleteBeautiful photos, looks a great place to visit
ReplyDeleteYes, a beautiful place to visit.
DeleteSuperb!
ReplyDeleteHappy you approve of the scenics!
DeleteIt is good to look over the shoulder every now and then and hark back to good times. The views are stunning and the weather kind …….. what more could the dogs ask for :-)
ReplyDeleteReflection is healthy for the soul, I reckon especially if your past is not too sorted. The weather was mostly kind with some rain showers hitting on the excursion to the local cheese factory. The rain was no bother. The dogs really could not ask for much more! They had a great time.
DeleteSome lovely scenery Jon and your flowering crabapple trees are very impressive too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Keith, and my post hit the blogroll! Things are looking up.
DeleteThe Pacific NW coast is very distinctive.
ReplyDeleteI was brought up on the NE coast - Northumberland.
A childhood on the coast is rather idyllic...
Neil
The Oregon Coast is distinctive and rugged in the north, indeed. I agree with your childhood memories.
DeleteBeautiful scenes Jon. Worthy of Keith’s walks.
ReplyDeleteIt’s lovely to be able to visit old family favourite places like and reminisce. Nice.
Chris/Nundanket
Thank you, Chris, but I dare not compete with Keith!
DeleteThat looks beautiful and I can see why it is a family favourite. I much prefer rugged coastlines like this. Obviously Google realised you were away which is why it decided to delay your posts in retribution.
ReplyDeleteI, too, prefer the forested and rugged coastlines. Google messed up because I did not post until after I returned. Perhaps Google thought I would be away longer?
DeleteBeautiful scenery, Jonathan 😍😍😍
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michal!
DeleteIt looks a beautiful place, Jon.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is, Ray!
DeleteBeautiful looking scenery Jon, looks stunning. Nice pilgrimage to go on and reflect on happy times well spent. The crabapple trees look stunning.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenery of a place l was totally ignorant of. Thanks for sharing the photos.
ReplyDeleteAlan Tradgardland
Visited Cannon Beach and the Haystack area...now that you mention it, 40 years ago as well (once in the mid 80s, once again in the late 80s). Good to see the things that haven't changed (and thanks for not showing those that have--we oldies like our memories intact).
ReplyDeleteYou have recorded some beautiful photos of the area and shared with us some personal stories past & present. It is a beautiful coast and it certainly looks Iike all involved had fun.
ReplyDelete