West Coast Vacation

I've been on the West Coast, visiting two of my three sons, my only two grandchildren and my wonderful daughter in law. They live miles apart - one family in the central California valley and the other in the Portland, Oregon area. We flew into San Francisco and rented a car. After a few days with the grandkids, we drove up to visit my other son for a few days before returning to California. 
First on our list was a visit to Multnomah Falls. You may have seen photos like this all over Pinterest. Here's one I took. It was a breathtaking view. 

 We stopped on the road to look out over the Columbia River. It was a little cloudy so you couldn't see the mountains very well, but the view was beautiful despite that!

 Here's a banana slug we saw along the trail. I thought he was beautiful in his own way and I was impressed with his size!!!

Bridal Veil Falls was nearby and was also beautiful!


The next day we headed for the coast, via the Tillamook Cheese Factory where we took the self guided tour and sampled the cheese! Then we drove along the coast, stopping at each little town to enjoy the beach.

The tide had gone out and this sea star and sea anemone were left in a small tidal pool. (Don't worry, we didn't disturb them!)

My husband caught a photo of me walking back from Haystack Rock. I appear to be studying something. Probably a pebble. (Who knows! I certainly don't remember.) This rock was in the movie "The Goonies" (from the 80's?). My boys used to watch it.

We tried to visit Voodoo Donuts, but the line wrapped around the block and we didn't have that much time!

At the Oregon Trail visitor's center I snapped this picture of a bee enjoying one of the many flowers in the Pioneer Garden. I thought it was fitting for the last picture in my post. 
I'll show you more later. Until then......