Ah, summer: the time for camping, BBQs, warm nights, and trips to the beach. I've always loved the beach as far back as I can remember, though I do remember having a small quarrel with the ocean when a small (yet strong) wave knocked me down one time in my youth (little Abby held a grudge for a while). Even so, I've always been a sucker for the feeling of sand on my feet, the wind sweeping my hair, the salty smell of the ocean, and the feeling of contentment when I curl up for a nap after taking a long walk down the beach.

Being a native Oregonian, all of my beach trips would be better classified as "coast trips." Most depictions of beaches include blue, sunny skies, warm water to swim in, and a crowd of people to enjoy it all. However, when you visit the Oregon coast, all your previous perceptions are immediately dissolved.

When you arrive, you shouldn't be surprised if you find a cloudy day. You're still in the Pacific Northwest, after all. Perhaps you don't put on sunscreen because the sun isn't out, but you end up getting burned and still have the tan lines to prove it two years later (and still counting). You fool yourself into thinking you'll be fine wearing shorts at the coast, but you end up shivering against the wind. When you empty your beach tote, the aforementioned wind sweeps it up, so you and your cousin have to chase it for what feels like half a mile down the beach.

In case you were wondering, yes, I do speak from experience in the entirety of that last paragraph (don't ask me why I still make the mistake of wearing shorts to the coast when I know it will be cold). After reading that, one may ask, "Why don't you just visit a beach instead, Abby?" Well, I admittedly haven't yet in my interstate travels thus far, so it's not really fair to compare beaches and coasts. However, even when I do visit a beach that more closely aligns with a stereotypical setting, I'll still choose the Oregon coast over it any day.

I grew up in Oregon and have gone on vacation to the coast with my family for about 17 years. It's something I look forward to every year (even more so this summer after my first year of being away from home at university), so I may be a little biased in my opinions due to the positive connotations that have built up over the years. Even so, if you have never been to the Oregon coast and believe regular beaches to be better, then you're missing out. No matter where I go and no matter what amazing beach I visit, the Oregon coast will always hold my heart. If you are open-minded and decide to pay it a visit for the first time, then it's sure to capture your affection as well.