Been a hell of a long time since I actually had vacation. Years actually.

IT'S HAPPENING!

I like my vacations basically unplanned. Of course, we will make some coarse plan, like "let's go here for a coupla days", but that's about it. The rest just happens. I figure if it's actually some kind of schedule, with deadlines and such, THEN IT ISN'T A FUCKING VACATION, NOW IS IT?

So, first stop is Newport. We will be there for a day or two, just because we like the coast and haven't been for quite a while.

Spots to be? Stuff to see? Curios?

LOL Ripley's Believe it or Not.

IDK its been a long time since I have been to the Oregon Coast. Would have been real nice a couple of weeks ago with that three digit weather we had over here.

I love Newport! The Yaquina Bay Bridge (on 101) is one of my all-time favorites.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium at Newport is top-notch, even without Keiko the whale. The Yaquina Head Natural area (just as you hit town on 101, with the famous lighthouse) is really cool and depending on the time of year, you'll see a lot of birds down below on the rocks. The lighthouse was under renovation a while back but I'm pretty sure you can tour it again. There's another smaller, older lighthouse further south at the other end of Newport, at the edge of the bay, which you may also be able to tour if you wish.

The beaches at Newport, Nye Beach and Agate Beach, are both pretty nice, although unfortunately they can be windy and not warm in the summer, so it might not be an ideal time to hang out on the beach (paradoxically, you can find warm, pleasant days in January in Newport). The bayfront (where Ripley's is) is kind of cheesy in parts but worth a walk through. You can walk down past the shops to the marina and see all the boats in the bay.

Oh, and DO check out the sea lions who are usually parked on a dock in the bay near the Undersea Gardens. You can stand about 20 feet right above them on the dock and watch them playfully angle for better sleeping spots and bark every once in a while.

If you drive 101 south from Lincoln City to Newport (which I recommend as your route) then do stop along 101 south at scenic spots. There are several, such as Boiler Bay. By the way, you may see whales if you are lucky. I saw them in August a few years ago just north of Newport. I noticed an unusual number of people parked at a rest stop and they were all pointing, etc. - my tip-off.

AAA has a decent Oregon Coast tour map by the way; if you will be headed south from Newport I suggest you snag a copy of the map, which highlights most of the scenic spots you'll pass.

Andrew

We are taking the 101 route. Haven't been on it in a long time.

Thanks for hitting the highlights for me. Nice refresher and a coupla things I didn't think of too!

Not sure if we are gonna go South or not. It's tempting, because I also like the beaches at Bandon. Depends on the mood at the time. We will see.

By the way, if your family is into hiking at all, you might consider the hike at Cascade Head which is just north of Lincoln City. Spectacular views from up there! It's not a novice hike, though, probably moderate.

Andrew

Have to pass on that as the Mrs just isn't up for a hike. We are lucky to have her along as it is.

(love a nice hike myself)

Now for eats let me suggest the ever popular Mo's and in Lincoln City you can't go wrong with Pier 101 (try the Halibut chips).

Maybe you could get a station tour of "Boss Radio". Just remember to name drop "PDXRadio".

...And ask to talk with the production guy!

Damn I miss the Oregon coast!

Manzanita for a more laid back time. Not commercial like Newport, Lincoln City or Cannon Beach/Seaside.

Best beach ever!

Drive about 20 miles south of Newport to Yachats and check the viewpoint at the top of Cape Perpetua out. You won't regret the view. Bring a balsa wood rubberband powered airplane and watch it fly forever.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/recreation/tripplanning/capeperpetua/index.shtml

Speaking of Newport, on my one and only time I've been there, the other person I was with thought it was hilarious that the KNPT/KYTE/KNCU studios had a sewing machine repair shop behind it.

I'll second Mo's. Especially the annex, which is across the street from the original and is right along the bay. And I do mean right on the bay.

While in the car, we spent most of the day listening to "100.7 The Point," which should give people a good idea of how long ago this was.

Nice one Dark!

We spent a long evening on the beach with a nice impromptu fire. Hey, that one match training at outdoor school stuck! Got it with one match!

We had the thing to ourselves. Good calm winds, found a cool crank flash light radio thingy! Used it to walk back because we stayed too long and it was totally dark.

Best Clam Chowder in the world:

Pacific Oyster - Bay City (out on the jetty)
Pacific Shrimp - Newport

http://www.pacseafood.com/

Best Smoked (giant orgasmic) oysters & salmon on the planet:

Karla's Smokehouse -Rockaway
(With Killer Bar-B-Que right next door!)

http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrichard/2007/06/i_had_to_pull_over_the_smoke_g.h tml

(I have dreams about those oysters...)

Even though oysters don't like me ( i have gout which raises the uric acid in my blood) I get a craving every once in a while for oysters on the half shell, BBQ'd oysters, and oysters rockafeller every once in a while and living down in the mid valley am ashamed and afraid at the same time to even consider buying them down here whether it be from a fish monger or a restaurant. Portland its ok, but the Oregon coast is even better of a place to procure oysters. In fact when it comes to the following Oregon probally produces some of if not the best in the world: Crab, Oysters , Halibut, and Salmon.

A couple of summers ago I discovered IMHO the best way to prepare cooked oysters and that is to BBQ them with nothing more than a squeeze of lemon and a couple of dashes of your favorite hot sauce (Choulo or Tapitia preferably) Thats it nothing more and nothing less and don't burn them on and off of a hot gas grill or charcoal grill is all that is needed. OH the liquor of an oyster cooked this way is beyond what the pure raw oyster liquor could ever be!

My mouth is salavating right this minute~!