Vacation--Part 4

Thursday afternoon was spent exploring marine science at the Oregon State University Hatfield Science Center. They had some amazing touch pools and lots of hands on exhibits. The older kids really enjoyed it (and the little kids enjoyed running around with me trying to keep track of them).






When we emerged from the Science Center (at 5 in the evening), the rain had stopped and the sun was shining. It was the perfect weather that we had been hoping for all week long. We decided to drive to Seal Rock. It's between the house we were staying in and Newport, and everyday we had driven past and thought it would be cool to explore, but it was always raining. When we got there, Owen and Nate were asleep in the car, so the older kids got out with Scott and walked to the look out at the top of the hill. A few minutes later they came back and announced that it was worth waking the boys for--we all needed to see this place.

Scott volunteered to carry Owen this time, so I was able to interact a bit more with the older kids.


We walked to the look out and saw this....


It was low tide, so we decided to hike down to the beach and see if we could find some tide pools.




Aaron proceeded very cautiously. He stayed up on the rocks at the top of the beach and kept his eyes on the ocean at all times (so it couldn't sneak up and get him).

We found a great rocky area buffeted from the waves and found some great tide pools.











The older kids had no fear making their way out on the the rocks to find starfish. Aaron didn't want to have anything to do with it. I FINALLY convinced him that I would keep him safe and not let the water get him, if he would come down and see a starfish. I got him to pose for pictures with the star fish, and then he immediately returned to the rocks at the top of the beach.


Soon the tide started coming in so we called the kids back in from the rocks and explored everything else on the beach.





We walked up the beach a little ways.








Aaron refused to let his feet touch the sand. He stayed up on the rocks and made his way up the beach at a far distance from the water.



After a while we made our way back to the trail head. We got a family picture (minus me behind the camera).



Then we made our way back to the car. (The boys found a great "lake" to throw rocks into while we got loaded into the suburban).




Our stop at Seal Rock was the PERFECT way to end our trip. It was perfect weather and a beautiful beach. I was really sad that our vacation was coming to an end, but was so grateful we'd had this last stop. It was something that I know will be burned into my kids' memories--and mine.