camping at Nehalem Bay

We ventured out on our first camping trip of the year this weekend, to Nehalem Bay State Park near Manzanita, with the Dewis/Hornbrook family. We love to go beach camping to kick off summer and it was so fun to go with friends this year. It was their first time camping as a family! Yay for new adventures!

We left on Friday after work and soccer camp (all four kids were at soccer camp from 1-4 pm every day this week, getting exhausted and sunburned). Since we were arriving late, we picked up some pizzas and were able to graze while we set up camp, and still got over to the beach to see the sunset. And of course, we built a fire and enjoyed some inaugural s'mores.

 

We slept as well as can be expected while camping (loud neighbors, early sunrise, camping mats), and then had oatmeal cups and fruit for breakfast. And then we gathered up all of our toys and headed over the dunes to the beach for playtime. 

 

Liesl and Olivia moved a ton of enormous driftwood to make a lean-to-style fort, with a deep hole dug under for hanging out.

Wyatt and Seb played beach golf, high speed disc golf, threw frisbees and footballs, and generally ran around the sand dunes enjoying themselves.

Jasper fetched his new frisbee and assorted rubber balls, and was as delighted as always to romp in the ocean.

After a few hours we were tired and hungry, and the wind had really picked up, so we headed back to our campsites for some lunch. We had sandwiches and fruit and everyone had some quiet reading time in the tents and hammock and chairs.

When we had recovered, we walked and biked along the beach to the town of Manzanita. The adults got coffees and the children got candy from the candy shop, and then we walked back. There were at least 20 people parasailing in the ocean, and it was magical to watch them jumping and surfing and flying. We stood and watched them for awhile, in awe.

Next up, family games back in the campground on the grassy field: running bases and bocce. We played Raabs vs. Hornbrooks and then kids vs adults. Dinner of black bean quesadillas, roasted corn on the cob, assorted fixings. And then we played some goofy board games -- Happy Salmon, which was loud and crazy, and Double Ditto -- and roasted marshmallows for s'mores. Such a good day --

Jasper and I took a sunset stroll to the beach, and he was a little anxious about the wind, the night, the sounds -- these selfies crack me up.