If you are anywhere near the river in Newport you can hear the sea lions. Their barks echo for miles. They are so loud that yesterday we started to walk to the waterfront to see them only to discover that they were actually on the other side of the river at least half a mile from where we thought we’d find them.
The Bayfront area of Newport is nice. It’s still a working seafront (riverfront?), but with plenty of tourist business to go around. We stood over the sea lions for a good hour, had clam chowder at Mo’s, and picked up a bag of salt water taffy. I also stopped in at a knife shop to have mine sharpened. There just aren’t that many knife shops around these days. Now I know why. I asked the guy what I owed him and he just waved me away saying, “Just give a buck to a Shriner when you see ’em.”
I’m not sure I even know what that means, but I told him I’d be sure and pay the favor forward.
The kids are always learning. Always listening. Always taking everything in. Today came this tidbit while Ouest pointed at a reclining sea lion, “What’s that red thing? His penis?”
In the afternoon we walked over to a long public dock that runs out under the bridge. It was packed with hundreds of people, mostly families enjoying a day out together. Everyone was gathered on the dock to catch crab. They threw their crab pots into the water, sat back and drank a beer, then pulled the trap back up. The kids were enthralled. They ran up and down the dock whenever somebody was pulling a trap in. Ouest was shouldering her way right to the front with her camera poised to take a shot of a record breaking crab. Lowe was tucked in right beside her. He’d follow her right off the edge of the dock if she led him there.
In the morning we visited the Hatfield Marine Science Center where the kids played with the wave machines for an hour and zipped through the rest of the exhibits in five minutes.
Then it was over to Beachside State Park. Sweet place. A few spots are actually on the beach itself. We obviously didn’t book ahead, so we were back a row or two, but it was great nonetheless. Sun, sand, and hot showers. Really a perfect combination for us.
Only downside was when the kids were told they couldn’t ride their scooters around without helmets. They’re not seventeen years old yet. Not to get started on a helmet discussion, but I do find it interesting that the park ranger office is now in the business of selling cheap plastic helmets. Everyone wants a cut of that billion dollar industry.
We found this little bird being washed around in the shallows, struggling to breathe. We carried him ashore figuring at least he could die peacefully. A few minutes later he was gone. Ouest dug him a big hole, buried him, and wrote BIRD on top. For her age she sure seems to have a good grasp on the concept of death.
23 Comments on “Beachside State Park”
WOW Ouest is getting so tall she can see over the railings.
What a charmed life you live.
Looking at the helmet issue from a different angle. Maybe they are selling cheap helmets as a “convenience ” item, so that you will not have to drive 30-50 miles round trip and find a bike shop that has only really expensive ones?
Trying to help you comply with the law?
A scooter isn’t bike, and I would prefer my tax dollars were spent paying park rangers maintain parks, not telling me how to raise my child(ren).
Regarding the helmet, without those rules you can believe that a kid hitting a speed bump or hole etc. and falling would result in a lawsuit. It has to be someone else’s fault of course !!
We loved that town. We ate fish and chips at the restaurant on the pier (don’t recall the name). It was very good.
The downtown smells a bit when the fishery is running.
We liked the lighthouse too. Good times!
Mark and Cindy
We just missed you! We are in Newport now, heading north tomorrow. You certainly hit the correct spots – happy you took the kids to that crazy rocky beach under the lighthouse and that you went to Rogue. We are camped at the Marina as well! Have a great trip south – we are hanging around Oregon for the Duck football season, with lots of flights back and forth to see the grandkids.
Bummer we missed each other. Maybe we can meet you down south.
I wonder if your kids have any idea how different their lives are from most kids..one town, one set of friends..etc.???? Do they ever comment on it?
No. I think because it’s always been this way it is simply normal to them.
I work for the Shriners that the knife shop man referred to. They are an international men’s fraternity (think fezzes and mini cars in parades)that support Shriners Hospitals for Children. There are 22 hospitals with one in Portland.
A pre-schooler is actually required by law to wear a helmet to ride a scooter around a campground? I just threw up a little in my mouth. What is wrong with us? Is riding a scooter really any more dangerous than running? Maybe that’s next; helmets required for kids that run. We’ve become a nation of safety idiots. Glad to see you were able to just suck it up and move. I’m sure it make you sick too.
The kids at my daughters elementary school are no longer allowed to run on the playground. WTF is wrong with this country?
Oh my. Those kids need a new school.
No helmets for running, they’ll just ban running instead.
I Found a little bird struggling to breathe the other day, took it to the veterinarian, they said they would try to save its life, if not, they would euthanize it. I Love the candid and succinct relationship you have with your children, it truly is heartfelt and warming.
Trent.
Our grandson was born with club feet and the local hospital sent us to Texas Scottish Rite, the Shriners Hospital in Dallas where he was treated FREE OF CHARGE for 2 + years. I can not say enough positive about the Shriners! We buy most things through Amazon Smile which allows you to select a charity that Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase. Our donations go to Scottish Rite! By the way, our grandson is now 13, never had to have surgery, is a straight A student, played baseball, is in Taiquando, and Honors Band. You would never know he had club feet! The Shriners are wonderful!!
Nice. Thanks for sharing.
We never thought about helmets till our 11 year old granddaughter fell while ripsticking in her driveway. Luckily she only broke the two bones in her arm, which ended up costing $3000 even with their insurance! Had she hit her head it would have been a different outcome altogether… So guess who wears a helmet now?
If you are still in the area and can get to Sea Lion Caves, I recommend it highly. The sounds of the lions are incredible in there.
And OMG those kids are so gorgeous!
Love seeing what you are discovering. It has its hang ups, but this is still a great country when you’re out in it.
The bus interior shot is stunning! Inviting and open. Amazing that it’s so cozy without a lot of stuff filling it.
Keep on truckin’ and blogging. I’m eating up every post! Thanks
We’ve been there three times now and only gotten to see the sea lions once. We stopped in a few days ago and were told the sea lions would be out feeding until around Thanksgiving.
What, no pic of the sea lion’s lipstick?
Helmets.:-P It’s making Mexico look really good!