NEWPORT (not sure what happened to oldport)

DESTINATION: Newport, OR

On the way from Seaside to Newport, there are lots of fun stops.

 Like in Tillamook at the cheese factory

 It ain't easy being cheesy.

 Next, we stopped to catch some nature at Otter Rock, but found out the Otters have moved away. Instead we saw this bird working on his CRANE technique

 We were all thirsty, but discovered Devil's Punchbowl isn't a full service rest stop.

 And almost got blown away at Cape Foulweather lookout point 

(obviously appropriately named by according to the photo with hair flying everywhere)

 But the wind and rain stopped for a few minutes and we go this beautiful view

Finally, we reached Newport where we hung out at the Yaquina Lighthouse

and hung out with the seals.

We then headed to the Oregon Coast Aquarium

 This aquarium is super cool because it has indoor and outdoor tanks to check out.

 So it seems more natural for the animals (at least from this human's perspective)

This underwater shark tunnel FREAKS me out (thanks JAWS movies!)

 Our final stop was for some amazing seafood at Local Ocean

 and an enjoyable stroll in town to hear the sea lions on the rocks.

WRECK-IT RALPH

Since I had a girls' day with my nieces, tonight was supposed to be boys' night with my nephews. However, they decided to fake being sick to miss school and weren't allowed to go out. So...I decided to take some friends to see Wreck-It Ralph. 

 Ohmygoodness, this movie was super funny...way better than I was expecting.

There were lots of references to old school video games that kept me entertained (like the Contra extra lives code to open the castle, homeless Q*bert, and Bowser blowing fireballs when he was surprised). 

Hilarious. Even if you are a kids movie snob, I'm willing to bet $5 that you will enjoy this movie.*

WRECK-IT RALPH smashes into theaters everywhere on November 2nd!!

*I won't really give you $5...but I'll know you have really bad taste if you tell me you don't like it and your opinion will no longer be valid to me.

We made it to the SEASIDE

Destination: Seaside, OR

Our home base for the trip is right here at the resort in Seaside, Oregon.

We are staying right on the boardwalk

apparently the end of the Lewis & Clark trail

 This is happiness in a photo for me

My mom showing off her shells!

 The historic Seaside Aquarium was just a short walk from our resort

 Super fun Aquarium for how small it is. We got to feed seals.

It was a super treat.

 The lady taking the photo told us to pose like we were swimming with the shark.

Apparently, I'm the only one who did it.

So we tried again. Fail #2.

The world's fastest and therefore scariest carousel

(I saw several child depart in tears).

PORTLANDia

Who visits the Oregon coast in October? This girl (along with the parentals and a pal)!

And who makes a stop in Portland on their way to the coast? This girl!

My must-see place was Voodoo Donuts. We braved the line...and the price for a dozen of these beauties. Besides the maple bar with bacon, my fave was the cap'n crunch cereal donut (not pictured).

Next stop was Powell's City of Books. This is probably the most awesomely big book stores I've ever been to. They give maps out so don't get lost.

(No, that's not a hobo holding the plastic bag...that's me. It was cold so I threw on everything I had.)

Chinatown

A special stop at the 24 Church of Elvis for the Mom

The 24 HOUR CHURCH OF ELVIS in Portland, Ore., is not a church. It does not have much to do with Elvis. It's not even open 24 hours. Confused? You're not alone...

 I think I just got married by an electronic Elvis voice.

 Portland is definitely doing it's job to keep it weird.

oreGONE to the COAST

Destination: Seaside, OR

DAY 1: Our first stop was at Multnomah Falls

I love waterfalls.

Just a little over a mile to the top. So we trekked up.

And we found a few Oregon gems along the way at gas station stops

One oxen drowned, my mom died of dysentery, and Jake got bit by a rattlesnake...but we going to continue on the Oregon Trail tomorrow morning.