One of the greatest blessings of living in Salem is that the Oregon coast is just around the corner. Now for those who live near a warm beach, the idea of going to the Oregon coast may seem bizarre. However, for us Oregonians, it makes for the perfect getaway. It is my belief--given the chance--even those accustomed to warm beaches might fall in love with it too. Despite its almost unavoidable cold weather, crazy winds, and ice-cold water, our Oregon beaches are breathtaking. We have beautiful sights at every beach, fun activities available for all ages, great food, and memories to last a lifetime. Even so, I know that it takes more persuading than a few reasons to convince those not originating from Oregon to get on board.

For this reason, I've decided to do my best to describe the many wonders of our beautiful coastline. The first wonder being; the coast is family friendly. For my family and I, one of our favorite locations is Pacific City. We have some good friends who have graciously let us stay at their privately owned home just about a five-minute walk away from the beach. We love the small little town and all of the many adventures that we have had over the years. Some of our favorites include eating Tillamook ice cream, kayaking down the Nestucca River, hiking sand dunes, walking to cute shops and thrift stores, taking a quick trip to the outlets in Lincoln City, riding our bikes around the neighborhood, playing in the sand, and chasing waves. There have been many stories created, jokes made, struggles endured, and love abounded when my family has been able to sneak away from our busy lives to enjoy the beauty of the ocean and our time together.

Not only does the Oregon coast make for the perfect family excursion, but it also makes for a great outing with friends. Which brings me to my second wonder: the Oregon coast makes for a fun outing with large groups of people. It doesn't matter if we are talking about a group of girls, guys, young adults, teenagers, adults, etc. The coast is perfect for bonding, fabricating memories, and makes way for the finding of new friends. Some of my best moments with friends have been made either at the beach or as a result of going to the beach. I've had the opportunity to grow closer with friends on retreats that took place at the coast. I've spent hours just hanging out on the beach and talking about life with friends. I've climbed sand dunes and rocks to capture the beauty of God's creation with those closest to me. I've walked along the shoreline while gathering seashells with my friends. I've played Olympic beach games with groups from my church, where we built sand castles, played volleyball, and learned to work as a team. I have many memories with those dearest to me, made while at the cold and windy beaches of Oregon.

No matter where I travel, inside or outside of the United States, nothing can quite compare to the wonders of the Oregon coast.

I am thankful to have such a wonderful place so close, and I am grateful for the joy and memories that it has brought me.