A Much Needed Impromptu Trip to the Oregon Coast

It was a quick but busy week and I was in class most of the time (contrary to popular belief). I'd been busy and I knew I was getting that itch to go outside. Having received permits to go to Havasu Falls in March, I've been constantly researching just out of sheer excitement. I've weighed my bag down to ounces, taking each thing that I plan on bringing and individually weighing them. I've gone to REI two days in a row. I knew I was dying to go somewhere, just be outside and enjoy not being behind a screen for once.

With some plans having fallen through, I was slightly disappointed. If I didn't go anywhere, this would've been my second trip in a row where I've had to cancel. So I really hoped we'd end up going somewhere.

At 8pm last night, Boogie and I were trying to decide where to go. Do we try and get to Diablo in a sedan without 4WD? Or do we book it to the Olympic Peninsula? Or maybe just play it safe and head into the Snoqualmie Pass area and camp near Cle Elum. We didn't do any of those.

Boogie randomly suggested, "How about Portland?" So we got in the car, and drove, deciding why not go to the coast? We've already been to the Gorge. So we drove 4 hours to the coast and camped at Nehalem Bay State Park.

Like I said, I'd gone to REI earlier this week, and I just picked up the new Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 mtnGLO and I have to say, this is by far the easiest tent I've ever set up. The hub system is incredible, the DAC poles are incredibly light, and the design is so intuitive. I hadn't even opened the plastic for poles or anything yet, Boogie and I set this tent up in less than 5 minutes at 1am, both probably delirious and tired. It may look small in this picture, but don't let that fool you. Even at only 4lbs and 8oz, this tent has 41 square feet of real estate. For 2 people, it was way more than enough. I'm sure I could fit all my gear in here along with me Boogie and his gear and still have room left over. The storage pockets were extremely helpful in getting things off the ground. Because we didn't buy anything, it obviously didn't ventilate as it should but I definitely expected more condensation than there was. Overall, I'm extremely happy with this tent and I can't wait to bring it to Havasu Falls.

I always try to avoid driving at night and setting up camp at night, but I somehow always end up doing it and I'm not sure why. But my favorite thing is still waking up in the morning not knowing what is right outside your tent; unzipping it and realizing you're in a world that you couldn't even have dreamt of the night before. I was amazed that we were right next to the ocean (even though I knew it, it just never really hit me).

I took in the moment, realized I had to tell my dad I was in Oregon (sorry dad!) then also realized I'd left my camera in the tent so I went back to grab it and snap a few pictures. At the same time, I decided I'd also grab the Karma.

I know almost nothing about video. I know about different modes and stuff and sure, but I have no idea whats technically good or what I'm supposed to do but this drone has really excited me. It's gotten me out of my comfort zone and stretched me creatively. Being so small and packing into a backpack makes it super easy to bring everywhere. I just tossed it in the car and thought "who knows, maybe I'll use it maybe not" and every time I've said that I've ended up using it. It's extremely easy to fly, except that this morning it wouldn't start because the batteries were too cold, which was understandable. So after watching Boogie stare at the waves while I had two Karma batteries stuck in my armpits, I took a few clips

After doing a little video, we packed up and headed for Cannon Beach, 27 minutes north of Nehalem.

To be completely honest, I think it's a little teensy bit overrated. It was cool for like the 0.5 second that I realized "wow this is where everyone has taken pictures" but I'm not quite sure what happened, I just was kinda over it pretty quickly. Maybe it was the disgusting lighting. Who knows. We left Cannon Beach to make a quick stop in Portland before heading home

Having already been to Voodoo (which I also think is overrated), we decided why not try something new? Keep Portland weird right? So we headed to Pip's off Fremont, and after a 45 minute wait, I think I can safely say that it was worth it. Interesting flavors, mini donuts so you don't feel as guilty, while being hot and freshly made makes them a winner in my book. But of course, our appetites were not satisfied. One more stop at McDanks and we hit the road back to Seattle. Overall, it was a good quick little getaway that was much needed