Gimme a Break ...

... a Spring Break, that is! Here's the recap on our very last Spring Break in Oregon! I don't know what we're going to do every Spring when Grant doesn't automatically have a week off and we don't live within a short drive to these incredibly beautiful locations around the Oregon Coast! We got pretty lucky with weather this year, so we were able to enjoy a breathtaking preview of the Rhododendron Gardens in Portland, as well as some sunny days to explore the coast and state parks. Please forgive the huge amount of pictures; it was just too hard to choose ...

The Rhododendron Gardens in Portland ...

These are Rhododendrons -- stunning bright blossoms that grow on huge bushes. They're all over the place in Oregon, but I've never seen such a wide variety like this ... and we didn't even see them all in bloom. I can only imagine when the garden is in full bloom!

With a little boy, of course we had to do some exploring, and definitely feed the ducks and geese! To get a feel for how excited Eliot was about feeding them, you HAVE to watch the video.

There were so many beautiful birds -- geese and many kinds of ducks, including the pretty "Wood Duck" above, as well as two beautiful blue herons at the end of the log in the photo on the left.

With how busy this semester has been, it was just nice to spend some quiet time together as a family (and don't you just love Eliot's face in the picture with me on the bench?).

I can't imagine there could be a more beautiful place, but like I said, we didn't even see the garden in full bloom!

After the gardens, it was off to the coast, with a stop along the way at a logging museum and restaurant ...

The restaurant at "Camp 18" was an amazing log cabin with GIANT log beams (see upper right with Eliot eating ice), logger memorabilia, and even antique firetrucks parked out front, just for Eliot!

At the coast (Ecola State Park lookouts)...

The views of Cannon Beach from the Ecola State Park lookout were gorgeous as ever!

We really lucked out at Ecola State Park -- we saw a bald eagle, Tufted Puffins (which Grant has been dying to see in the wild ever since we saw them at the Newport Aquarium a couple years ago!), and I even spotted my first gray whale with the help of some extra patient volunteers.

Hiking in Ecola State Park ...

We were happy that weather permitted us to do some hiking at Ecola State Park, too, where Eliot served as our guide. He did a great job, too -- look at the scenery we enjoyed thanks to his navigating!

Seaside, one of our favorite little spots in Oregon ...

In Seaside, we enjoyed walking Broadway and the Promenade (with a obligatory stops at the carousel, candy shops and toy store, of course!), eating at yummy restaurants (this one was fun because it was named "McKeowns," which is Mommy's maiden name, just spelled differently), and even playing on the beach on sunny days ...

On rainy days, it was movies, swimming and ... indoor s'mores -- Eliot's first taste! He loved the taste, but worried about his sticky hands -- that's my boy!

Before and After: Left, Spring Break 2008 (Eliot, 10 months),

Right, Spring Break 2010 (Eliot 34 months)

Nice of me to wear the same jacket so it looks even more authentic (blush!).

We will sure miss not being able to return as frequently to these special places! I think every spring we'll get the itch to head out to the Oregon coast for a few relaxing days ...