Saturday was rewarding. We volunteered at the East County Food Pantry. It’s our favorite weekend ritual unless, you know, there’s a puppy parade we have to attend. After volunteering, we decided to spend Sunday night in Newport. Sunday after church, we gave our trusty couch a break and hit the road!
Leesa had Monday off for Memorial Day, so a coastal escape was practically mandatory. Thanks to our stash of Wyndham Rewards points, we snagged a night at the Days Inn in Newport. We’re not high-maintenance travelers, just needed a place to catch some Zs before Monday morning’s adventures.
Our grand plan? A scenic 100-mile jaunt up to Astoria. It was slightly ambitious. This was followed by a leisurely 130 mile cruise down the coast to Newport. The weather gods, though, had other plans, opting for their signature “cloudy with a chance of… more clouds” forecast. Still, it’s a drive we’ve conquered many times, so we embraced the familiar gray.
Monday morning was bright and early. It was as early as one can get after a budget hotel stay. We decided to brave the elements and explore the South Jetty trail at South Beach State Park. The air was crisp, cloudy, and had that delightful “just rained on the beach” dampness.
We got the Firefly hooked up to my wheelchair, and off we went, gliding down the nicely paved trail. It took about 3.7 seconds to realize we’d stumbled upon Mosquito Mardi Gras. Seriously, these weren’t just mosquitoes; they were an organized, highly motivated aerial assault team. They swarmed me with the enthusiasm of fans at a rock concert. “Fending off a thousand tiny vampires” wasn’t on my vacation itinerary. We made the executive decision to cut our nature walk short. Instead, we aimed for the relative safety of the campground. On the way, the parking lot stretched flat before me. I unleashed the full power of my Firefly. I clocked a thrilling top speed of 12.3 mph. Pure exhilaration!
And then, just as we were attempting to escape the tiny bloodsuckers, a miracle! The skies cleared, the sun burst through, and suddenly, my sweatshirt felt as necessary as a snorkel in the desert. Ah, the unpredictable joys of a Pacific Northwest Memorial Day!
We decided to grace one of our favorite spots, the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, with our presence. Apparently, everyone else had the same brilliant idea, judging by the line of cars trying to get in.
Good thing I have my America the Beautiful Access Pass! I flashed that bad boy. I also showed my ID, because apparently, they don’t trust my dazzling smile alone.
We sailed past the hoi polloi. We even scored a coveted ‘clicker’ for the secret Bat-Cave-esque gate leading to the accessible parking at Quarry Cove. We’re practically VIPs around here, having mastered the sacred ritual. And let me tell you, Quarry Cove just keeps getting better. They’ve added Mobi Mats since our last visit – hallelujah! I actually drove my Firefly right off the end of those beauties and onto the beach. The sand was so firm, it was practically a red carpet for my wheels. While I was living my best sandy life,
Leesa was on a serious shell-hunt mission. She was probably dreaming of turning our house into a souvenir shop. It brought back fond memories of our dear departed Labrador. Zander probably thought these waters were his personal doggy spa.
Accessible parking at Quarry Cove
Mobi Mats in Quarry Cove
Cove Quarry beach
Brace yourselves, folks, because our final destination was the magnificent Yaquina Head Interpretive Center!
We dove headfirst into the exhibits, emerging minutes later with newfound wisdom (and a slight case of exhibit-induced vertigo). The real highlight? Nabbing our very own Lighthouse Passport and securing that first, precious stamp – practically a rite of passage!
With our new official status, we rushed up to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse for a closer inspection. Of course, we took the obligatory ‘proof we were here’ photo. And just like that, our whirlwind, fantastically glorious trip wrapped up. Our feet (and wheels) are tired, but our spirits are soaring!
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