I left off at our arrival at Drift Creek Falls. We geared up and headed down the trail for a hike. The hike was through an old growth forest with lots of nice views. The path was easy and not rocky or too muddy. We both remarked at how interesting it was that the hike started by going downhill. I can’t think of a hike I’ve done where I went downhill first.
The trail was surprisingly busy considering it was in the middle of nowhere and we had to drive on a single lane, rustic road to get there. But it wasn’t too crowded that it was unpleasant. We were passed by a pair of trail runners, too. It was the perfect trail run too.
The day was sunny and warm. Once we got started on the hike, Michael took my hand in his and said very carefully: “I have something to tell you and I don’t want you to freak out.” Oh my god what?! He went on to tell me that we were going to be crossing the longest suspension bridge in the Northwest. WHAT!
I’m kind of afraid of heights–more of scary cliffs and falling. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to make it across the bridge but I was willing to try. I was scarrrred!
Okay, DEEP BREATHE.
Michael went first. I walked slowly onto the bridge and realized: suspension bridge = the bridge MOVES. Duh. That was mildly frightening. It swayed as I walked. I glanced to the sides but tried not to look because I knew I’d freak out and never make it across if I looked too closely.
I made it! Michael was waiting for me at the other side. We hiked down the trail to the creek below to check it out.
Then we headed back up the trail. Crossing the bridge to get back was a tad easier for me. I still didn’t really look down!
The hike back was uphill but not overly strenuous.
Hike Stats:
Time: 1:25
Calories Burned: 297
Mileage: About 3
It was a GREAT hike! I would definitely do it again. When I got back to the car there was another clue waiting for me:
Hmmmm…where could we be going? Michael navigated and I drove down the single lane road back to 101. The destination? THE BEACH!
We arrived at Lincoln City, one of my favorite beaches in Oregon, and we checked into the hotel. We had a private balcony with a view of the ocean. Perfect!
We went to the restaurant next to the hotel for a late lunch (that ended up being dinner too). I got a glass of the Oak Knoll Pinot Noir (earthy and strong). We had a view of the ocean and shared two appetizers: crab cakes and calamari with freshly baked bread.
The food was pretty good. The crab cakes were made out of cornbread crumbs I think. We enjoyed a leisurely meal and discussed what to do next. I was dying to walk on the beach!
The cold that I had been fighting off for four days was full-fledged by this time but I was trying to work through it. I wanted to enjoy the weekend no matter what! We headed down to the beach for a walk in the sunshine.
The sun was out and it was a gorgeous day but WINDY. We started walking North on the beach, into the brutal wind, and it was a hard walk. Not the best of conditions but I love the beach so much I was willing to do it!
Eventually we turned around and walked back to the hotel. It was just too windy to keep going. The wind was cold despite the sunny weather. We relaxed at the bonfire area that the hotel had. It was cool: there were about half a dozen private bonfires with benches and you could buy a s’mores kit in the lobby (we didn’t but it would have been fun).
We decided to go back to the room to chill for a few minutes. The plan was to head up to Chinook Winds Casino for the evening. They were having a fireworks show for their 16th anniversary and that was going to be our evening. We were lounging in the room when I started to feel sick. 🙁
It was bad. My stomach was in knots. I had horrible cramping and I ended up getting violently ill. Saturday night was NOT fun. I was pretty sick so we stayed at the hotel and just listened to the ocean. We could see the sunset — which was nice — and we saw some of the fireworks up the beach from Chinook Winds. It was a disappointing ending to a wonderful day, that’s for sure! 🙁
QUESTION: What’s your favorite vacation: ocean, mountains, forest or desert?
britni
What’s the name of the hotel you stayed in? We are looking for a good place to stay on the coast this summer.
My favorite vacation is the Oregon coast because you’re in between the mountains and the ocean 😉
Lisa Eirene
We stayed at the Surftides Hotel in Lincoln City. The room was dated but nice. The TV was super old but you don’t go to the beach for the TV. 🙂 All the rooms had a private balcony and view of the ocean. Beach access was super easy. Some rooms had jacuzzis. I’d recommend the hotel for sure!
Lori
Oh no on getting sick! What a bummer.
suspension bridges freak me out, too. I like things to stay still when I cross them.
I like all kinds of vacations, but maybe cities are a favorite of mine. I love going to New Orleans!
Lisa Eirene
It was a bummer but at least it didn’t last the whole weekend and ruin the rest of our fun.
Suspension bridges freak me out too. I’m surprised I made it across!
I like all kinds of vacations. I’m a city girl so it’s fun to go somewhere like Vegas or LA or London. I also like relaxing at the beach or hiking in mountains.
Alleigh
Oh no…getting sick on vacation is awful 🙁
Favorite vaca definitely depends on the time of year. In the winter, I want to go some place beachy and warm…in the summer, I want to go hiking in the mountains/forests.
Ok, who am I kidding…I love ANY type of vacation.
Lisa Eirene
Getting sick was not the best part of the weekend. I would have liked to watch the sunset with Michael, go to Chinook Winds and see the fireworks….oh well!
My moods change with the seasons too. The last few winters we’ve been taking snow trips and enjoying snowshoeing and stuff. But I have to admit, escaping the depressing Oregon rain in March for Arizona was a BRILLIANT idea!
Sarah
So sorry you’re sick. It’s no fun especially on a vacation!! Hope you’ll feel better soon.
Your trip looks awesome though 🙂
I’m an urban vacationer so my dream destinations would be cities like New York, Delhi or Prague. My favorite so far were Montreal and Dubai. Although sometimes I do crave a few days by the beach doing nothing but lounging around and reading!
Have fun on the rest of your trip!!
Lisa Eirene
What was Dubai like? Would you go back?
I like both–I like big cities and nature!
Sarah
Dubai was amazing. You’d think it’s fake and superficial, but you only need to scratch the surface a bit to discover a warmer, busy and diverse side to it. I would go back in a heartbeat!
Lisa Eirene
Was it ever scary as an American or a woman?
Sarah
I’m actually not American. I’m Moroccan, which probably made me more apprehensive because of a bad rep we have in those countries. Long (social/cultural) story… :p
Surprisingly though, I didn’t feel any tension. It was like any other cosmopolitan city and I was just like any other tourist. So no worries there!
Are you planning a vacation there?
Lisa Eirene
Interesting! I would think that you’d be more accepted than an American simply because it’s the Middle East and Moroccan is closer….who knows with politics and religion though! My cousin was in the Peace Corp in Morocco. She loved it there.
Not planning a trip to Dubai anytime soon but it does look pretty amazing!
Jess
Sorry to hear you got sick!!! I hate getting sick when I’m on holiday!
I live near the ocean (I can see it from my house) but I still love going to the beach when I am on holdau. So much so that I am going to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands on Friday for my holiday!
Lisa Eirene
I would love to live at the beach! Lucky!
Marilyn @ Lipgloss and Spandex
Aww I’m so sorry you were so sick! I’m glad the rest of your trip was so much fun though 🙂
I loooove the beach. I go to Lincoln City pretty often 🙂
Lisa Eirene
I need to go more often. I live so close, yet I only go once or twice a year. 🙁
Jane Cartelli
Ocean and DESSERT!