Hug Point

Today marks the 4th sunny day in a row here in the Portland area. I don't think we have had 4 sunny days like this since last September. I am not kidding.

 In honor of this wonderful day the kids and I put our school books away and headed out to the Pacific Ocean. We have been coming out to the ocean quite a bit the last 6 weeks or so. I think that when we move away it is the close proximity to the ocean that I will miss the most, and in light of that we have been trying to take advantage of every opportunity we can to head out the the hundreds of miles of shoreline that Oregon has to offer. 

On my birthday Bob and Elizabeth took me to Hug Point. It is a string of beaches that are separated by rock formations. When the tide is high you have to hug the rocks in order to not get swept away into the ocean or so goes the tale surrounding the name of the point. As the tide recedes you are able to make your way around the rock formations and hop from one beach to another. There are at least 4 beaches that are connected in this way. 

There are caves and tide pools. There is a small water fall too. This place is my new favorite place. I think I like it even better than Crescent Moon Beach. (Or maybe the two beaches are tied.)

We brought the dogs today which I hesitate to do any more because Lily likes to bark at other dogs and it makes people uncomfortable. For some reason, Hug Point is not overly populated and I figured being the middle of the week it would be a good time to try and take them for some fun. Both dogs did great. Lily only barked at one dog and their owners were pretty chill. 

The kids had a great time. They loved this beach too, and all of have said that this is there favorite new beach as well. 

Today was just a great day. It was warm (for this part of the country anyway). The sun was out. There wasn't a lot of wind at the ocean (which is not usually the case). It was a worry free day. It was much needed. 

We just arrived at the beach at this point. High tide was still 30 minutes away. The other side of this rock is where the next beach lies. 

Checking out a small cave on the first beach. 

View from the first beach looking out towards a connecting beach which is behind those rocks you see. 

Having some beach day fun in the water. 

These two had so much fun together. 

Exploring a cave while a wave washed up into the area where they were standing. 

Rock climbing to try and outsmart the waves to get to the next beach. 

Wave coming in...

Wave moving out...

Just chillin'

Miss Thang got a new cane today...

Exploring

Trying to figure out how to get to the next beach without getting soaked by the waves as they wash up onto the rocks. 

Man's best friend x2.

Plotting.

"Wait for us!!!"

"Is the coast clear?"

Trying not to get soaked.

The second beach.

I am actually taking this picture from about 10 feet above the beach. There is a waterfall at the end of this rock that drops to the ocean and empties the fresh water from the stream I am standing in while taking this picture into the Pacific Ocean. 

Eventually we will make our way over to this area - which is the third beach area - but it will be a good while yet as the waves are fast and furious and the tide too high still to make it over there. 

Playing some ninja game together. 

Water, water everywhere. 

This picture sums up why this area is called Hug Point. You literally have to hug the rocks to make sure you aren't swept away with the tide. 

What is a day at the beach, or any day for that matter, without a game of soccer?

Tuckered out. 

A tide pool on top of a rock.

In order to get to the last beach you have to walk along this ledge. This is the low point where the waves were still splashing as you can see. It was little bit scary for me I am not gonna lie. 

In the distance is the Goonie's rock.