On Friday, we went over the coastal range of mountains to Tillamook, then on up the coast. We found:

a campsite about a half-hour away in the mountains that we are looking forward to returning to

http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/TSF/tillamook_story.shtml

Tillamook State Forest Overlook

Elk Creek Camp L&N

The cheese factory at Tillamook was wonderful – the town was a bit stinky & the factory was a total tourist site, but I really respect that it’s a coop and the stuff they do for the town is wonderful. And the cheese is Great!

We stopped at many lovely beaches and overlook sites:

Nehalem Bay

But then we discovered my favorite place… indeed, a place I feel I’ve dreamt of before. In the Oswald West State Park is a campsite (temporarily closed), and a trail that goes through an Old Growth Forest:

S&L in tree

Smuggler’s Cove is the best beach EVER for us – sand, driftwood, surfers w/doggies, tidal pools to explore:

Don't touch!

Smuggler's Cove

The water’s freezing, but that didn’t stop L. And if we want to swim, we can go to the beach on the Columbia River in NoPo.

So if you make it out here for a visit, I would recommend planning on a day trip to the Coast. It is breathtakingly beautiful and makes my heart sing.