I thought the ocean would be the perfect place for Pat and I to take the kids this past weekend.
I’ve been along the Oregon coast (you should go) and also to California and Hawaii, but have never visited the ocean in my own state. How does one not visit ones own ocean?** I know!
And then I remembered how much I actually dislike sand and salt water and WIND and I realized that’s exactly why my interactions with the ocean have been so minimal. It’s because I don’t care.
But I decided to care on Sunday.
We ended up renting an electric boat that went no faster than 5 miles an hour while weaving in and out of canals that weren’t actually even attached to the ocean and the kids were in heaven. They saw racoons and baby ducks and deer and I was all “See I KNEW going to the ocean was an awesome idea! WE SHOULD LIVE HERE!”
And then we drove over to the actual ocean and I all was all “look at all the sand and salt water and wind…doesn’t that look like fun kids??”
I had pictured Mother’s Isle…myself on the beach in my retro suit, the children splashing in and out of the water until sundown, but instead pulled my hoodie over my head, wrapped a gigantic blanket around my family and willed myself to brave the freezing wind and sand and saltwater until my kids had had their fill.
Kainoa and Mr. Hawaii were done within five minutes. Pat is convinced my blood is different than his Hawaiian blood and that he is physically incapable of tolerating a cold ocean.
The girls and I forged ahead.
And by ‘the girls and I’, I mean…Maile and Laina actually played in the freezing cold ocean while I cocooned myself in our blanket to protect myself from the elements until they were done.
It wasn’t easy.
But I survived.
We won’t be moving there after all.
In action:
**My sister told me I make it sound like I “grew up in Ohio or something” where water is replaced with corn fields. To be clear, I live near many bodies of water that feed into the ocean within minutes of our home that we visit often. One might argue *cough my sister* that the bodies of water I frequent ARE the ocean, but I say it’s not the same. When I say I “haven’t been to the ocean in our state” I mean like the actual OCEAN ocean…you know…with expansive beaches and large waves and horses and kites and that kind of thing. I do not live in Ohio, but visiting a corn field is next on my list!**
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
oh….how I love the ocean! When it’s warm enough, not windy, or I can watch it from my window. :)
Windows are good…I think I enjoyed the ocean more from the view of our van than I did actually standing on it.
I love the beach. I used to live in California so I don’t know why I moved to nearly landlocked Georgia. Oh yea it was for a job.
I’m so glad you wrote this. The ocean is beautiful, but it’s hard enough to keep the wind off yourself without trying to hear your children through your hood only to find they are whining about the wind. Mix in sand, suntan lotion, diapers and dogs and you’ve got a pretty annoying day;-)
I’m with your husband on the whole Hawaiian blood, can’t stand could water thing. We need warmer waters…lol
Love all of these photos, Kat. You did a great job of capturing those memories. So beautiful.
I’m more than happy to take the family to HIS oceans!! :)
I’ll be sure to tell our ocean that he says hello. We’re leaving for Hawaii in 2 weeks. Can’t wait! Have a great weekend, Kat.
LOVE the photos. Especially the first one. Looks like such a fun Mother’s Day. How ironic that moms choose the thing they like OK but think the kids will love because what we want most is to see them having fun. And then they want to know when it’s Kids’ Day. You are a great mom. :-)
It was an awesome day! Pat can be such a stick in the mud about outings like that, but I found when I make them part of my ‘gift’ he’s totally on board! Typically we use Mother’s Day and Father’s Day as an excuse to do anything we want ALONE…pedicures, movies, coffee shops…but now that I know I can use the day for fun excursions I’m totally incorporating it every year. :)
EVERY day is kids day!
i’m more of a “it has to be a warm day to go to the beach and the ocean” kinda person, but i love that kids don’t see it the same way.
We’re not far from the beach, but our beach isn’t pretty. We usually take the kids about once a year. They love it. I tolerate it.
LOL….I so get this! Only a NW girl would know how cold and windy Ocean Shores really is! :)
Right!?! I thought since we’ve been having such nice weather that it would be nice there too…not so much.
You know, I have never been to the ocean. Wait, I think I may have seen it before but I have never set foot in it. In Michigan, we have the great lakes… that is almost like the ocean.
Gorgeous pictures!
When we go to Vegas I am TOTALLY taking you to the ocean! Orrrr…maybe a wax replica of one.
I’m not so much an ocean person. The saltwater stings my eyes and my nose, and I’m always terrified a shark will eat me. I like to sit on the beach and water other people frolic and cavort, though, while I sip on various alcoholic beverages.
Watching other people is the best part with alcoholic beverages is actually a favorite past time of mine. We should totally go to the ocean together next time. Or do you think we would end up sipping cocktails and just staring at each other?
That pretty much sounds like the best time ever.
Sand… wind… say no more. I have no tolerance for such folly.
This, coming from someone who’s only ever really known Australian & Californian beaches. The mere thought of chilly water temps up north makes me shudder. Yes, I am totally pathetic.
“I have no tolerance for such folly”
Hahaha…Best line of the day.
I love the ocean and everything that comes with it, but only love it when it is nice and warm… and perhaps I am sitting on the beach with a Margarita!
I loooove the ocean and the beach, but can understand your hesitancy, especially on days that are not super warm. maybe you’ll have to try a beach this summer (Alki? Jetty Island), when it is truly WARM!
We love Alki. :) I have never been to Jetty Island, but it’s on my Summer bucket list!!
About the only difference between Ocean Shores and Lincoln City is 150,000 people and an outlet mall!! The beach always looks like so much fun – from the big picture window at the condo! But there’s something about *that smell* (rotting fish aside) that just makes my heart beat faster. We’re trying Long Beach next weekend – wish us luck!
I want a full report! If Long Beach is better than we’re TOTALLY hitting it up next Mother’s Day. :)
Update on Long Beach: yes, its better than Ocean Shores… small town feel, lots of gift-y shops, wonderful bakery, world’s longest beach and boardwalk, restaurants with kid friendly food, bumper cars, go carts, arcade, world’s biggest frypan & chopsticks, and (kinda creepy) Jake the Alligator boy (in the free museum). This weekend (Memorial Day) there were even horse drawn wagon rides (free) & pony rides. The Rodeway Inn is right downtown near the action (our rental house was just across the street – VRBO.com #262903). To the south and north were light houses, old settlements, Lewis & Clark interpretive center. All in all, a good time!
Wow! Okay, definitely putting that Long Beach on my list of Must Visits! Thanks for the recap. :)
good for you for being brave enough to share you don’t exactly love the ocean. I grew up in Detroit, total city girl and I feel like I get a lot of slack for not being ocean slap happy. I’m not alone! =)
You’re definitely not alone. I mean…it’s PRETTY, but not necessarily “enjoyable”.
If it’s any consolation, the pictures look like it is not nearly as cold as you write. It looks beautiful. I am impressed with the adventure of it all.
I’ll admit…a big reason I wanted to go was just to get some fun pictures. :) So at least THAT wasn’t a fail!
Mother’s Isle. Haha. Oh, to live her life…
Oh man. I’m with you on this one. You’d think living in California would make a person a beach lover, but it doesn’t. I freaking hate the beach. I think living an hour away from the beach is too close to the beach. All that sand, wind, it’s cold, I have curly hair so it’s automatically crappy hair time-all the time. No thanks!