Newport 2011

It has become our tradition (3 years makes it a "tradition" -- right?) to go to Newport for our anniversary.  Since Memorial Day weekend always falls near our anniversary, it works well for an extended weekend out of town.  We stay at the Newport La Quinta because we can get a good deal there since Clay works at the Eugene La Quinta.  We had a lovely "spa" room (large room with a spa tub and a fireplace).  And even though we've been having cold, rainy weather all spring, we actually had some decent weather for the weekend.  Not very warm, but at least we didn't get rained on until we were on our way home late Monday afternoon -- which was much better than I had anticipated.

Overlooking the beach at Yaquina Bay Lighthouse at sunset.

Clay at the park at Yaquina Bay Lighthouse the next morning.

Yaquina Bay Bridge

We discovered that there is a cute little shopping area just a block from the hotel.  We could see one large store as we turned into the hotel parking lot (kind of an antiques/souvenirs/junk store), but we didn't realize that there were numerous other little shops behind it. We particularly liked the glass-blowing shop where you can actually watch the guy making his glass pieces.  I was tempted by several things in that store, but when we went back to buy me something on Monday just before we left town, that particular store was closed.  I guess it's just as well, because I didn't really "need it" -- I just liked it.

This little shopping district had a bunch of odd (fake) "creatures" and displays, and those places where you can put your face through and have a funny photo taken (what are those called anyway?).

This is a "Sharcow" -- quite bizarre -- I can't give any better explanation!!

Clay likes to live dangerously!

Avast ye landlubbers!  Arrrrgh!

Wow -- I haven't been 
this skinny in years!

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

On the path to Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Cobble Beach below Yaquina Head Lighthouse.  Even though we arrived at low tide, we were told that they are experiencing the "highest low tides" in many many years, so there weren't many tidepools uncovered.  Clay was disappointed -- we enjoyed looking at them last year when we were there.

We climbed the hill to the east 
of the lighthouse and got a 
different view of the area.

Looking north from the hill 
above the lighthouse.

On our last day, we checked out "Historic Nye Beach".  We didn't actually go onto the beach -- we just looked through several of the stores in the little shopping district there.  We were also amused at the birds lining up on the posts.  There is definitely a rule of "seniority" to post-standing -- we watched younger birds get pushed off by older birds claiming their territory.

 All in all, it was a fun trip to celebrate our 33rd anniversary!