Newport / Waldport, Oregon

After our Astoria KOA experience, we headed south on Hwy 101.  This is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastal highway on the west coast. 

Oregon Coast Highway

Ecola State Park Beach

We stopped for a few hours in one of my favorite towns, Cannon Beach.  The weather was not ideal, but that didn't stop us from enjoying a few hours of beach time at Ecola State Park.  In the late afternoon, we continued south to Tillamook where the kids got a brief education on how Tillamook cheese is made and packaged on an assembly line.  As it was getting late in the day, our road trip dinner consisted of taster bites of cheese, Tillamook pepperoni sticks and ice cream.  A dinner for champions.  While camping, I take a more relaxed approach to meals, throw the whole  4 food groups out the window and consider "organic" a foreign concept.  Obesity doesn't happen in a 4 day camping trip,  nor will it stunt the kid's growth.

Inside the factory.

Tillamook Factory

View of bridge from kabin

From Tillimook, we continued south to Newport / Waldport.  Our KOA camper kabin was right on a bluff overlooking an inlet and the historical Waldport bridge.  This time we opted for the camper kabin with a bathroom and shower.  We were told it was the "honeymoon" suite, and  although heat, running water and indoor plumbing is not overrated, I'm afraid I'd have to call into question the entire relationship if my spouse took me to a KOA for my honeymoon.  A weekend away with a great view, yes.... honeymoon, no.  But maybe that's just me.

Given our leisurely pace down Hwy. 101, we didn't arrive to until dusk, so our second dinner was grilled hot dogs in the dark.  With the turn of a dial, and the push of a button, I was grilling hot dogs in 2 minutes by flashlight on my portable BBQ.   It may not have been romantic, but the upgrade to the "honeymoon" kabin, rounded out our fun day with hot showers and clean kids.

Our two days in Newport / Waldport consisted of agate hunting, beach time, walking around historic old town Newport, and enjoying the beaches in nearby Yachats.  We splurged and dined out at one of our favorite lunch spots in Newport, Local Ocean Seafood.  They buy their seafood right off the fishing boats in the harbor, and do a great fish and chips.  Unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit Newport's aquarium, (which we've done in the past, and it's a great aquarium).  But when the sun is shining, it's hard to stay away from the beach.

The kids sitting outside our kabin with a spectacular view.

Glamping was fun and easy.  Being a stay at home mom, I like to take my kids to fun places in the summer within a day's drive of home and not break the bank.  Staying in the KOA camper kabins allowed for us to enjoy some of the fun outdoor experiences we get with camping (making smores over a camp fire, eating outside, enjoying parks, beaches, and the outdoors) without all the extra work and backache of sleeping on the ground in a tent, hauling water, and hauling all the extra supplies tent camping requires.  I made it easy with the food choices, and used my electric kettle to make hot water for tea and instant oatmeal.  We ate bagels, fruit, sandwiches, and BBQ for dinner. This was a fun trip, and I plan on doing more research on other great places to "glamp".



www.cannonbeach.org
Ecola State Park: www.oregonstateparks.org/park_188.php
koa.com/campgrounds/waldport/
aquarium.org/
localocean.net/
www.tillamook.com/cheesefactory/index.html
www.yachats.org