On Saturday morning we had breakfast in the room: we shared the 2nd croissant from Manitou plus fruit & coffee.  The sun was just peaking thru the mist out over the lake.

The drive to Ocean Shores was only about 30 minutes, mostly thru Indian land on nice blacktop.  We pulled off at a beach access point and discovered that we could drive right out onto the beach.

Ocean Shores looks very much like Padre Island with the houses built very high to allow for a storm surge.  We drove all the way to the tip of land that forms the entrance into Gray's Harbor and climbed the rocks where the waves were crashing.

Almost out of gas, we found a 76 station back towards the highway and there just happened to be a bead store within 100 yrds.  What an amazing coincidence.

The drive to Hoquiam was only another 45 minutes and we arrived in time to take a few pictures of our next place while the sun was still up.  See the next entry for our last and best place we stayed.

Well i finally got my passport straightened out and it arrived in mail today, so my next step is putting the car up for sale and actually start counting down the days til i head out. Once the car sells I will be hoofing it to the local bus stop to Aberdeen and then onto the greyhound bus station in Olympia, from there it's to Seattles Seatac airport in which I will be arriving at one day early. I'll be sleeping in the airport that night to catch my flight to Ireland  which leaves at 8:30am on the 4th of December with arrival on the 5th in Dublin. I'll be staying at the Kinaly House Hostel on the 5th and 6th and then from there I'll start backpacking around Ireland camping and staying in Hostels along the way, with backpack and camera ready I'll be hopefully regularly updating this from that point on. I hope you all will follow along in my Round the World adventures as I meet up with some of you hopefully on the trail. Stay tuned folks this could be a crazy and exciting adventure!!!

Well the first storm of the season is coming in and everyone has been getting ready for it, I myself have been making sure I have plenty of candles ready just in case the power goes out tonight.I managed to make my way down to the beach to get a look at the storm waves coming in and they are getting bigger as it moves closer inland, the weatherman said the winds may get up to as high as 60mph and lots of rain, right now the wind has been gusting anywhere from 20-40 mph. My neighbor was watching me get pictures of the waves and yelling run run as he laughed at me running from the incoming wave then chasing it back out.The storm is still 100 miles offshore but it looks like it's getting closer from the size of the waves I'm seeing.

I'm sure I looked awfully funny chasing waves....the people watching from their hotel windows must think I'm nuts!!! I'm running down after the wave and trying not to get caught by one and washed out to sea by one...so I like living on the edge sometimes,according to my neighbor these storms will get worse as the storm season hits more, so I'm looking forward to getting some real cool pictures of that when it happens.It seems ot be getting worse out as the day wears on so maybe I'll get even better pictures later on, hope you enjoy the ones i've managed to get so far!!!

I would definatly eat my last meal here. The view,Staff,Piano bar,Drinks,Bread,Appitizers,and Entre's are exceptional. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for romance,fun and full tummies.

This is a great place to eat the staff are friendly,and anxious to seat and greet you. The Appitisers,Drinks, and food are very good. A great place to be. and very filling. Try there brewed coffee after dinner it is a wonderful cup of coffee.

Today upon waking up, we were drawn to a beautiful site below our balcony. a doe looking for her breakfast, or a morning storll. We drove to town, for breakfast at Mcdonalds, then to the kite shop to purchace another kite. then to the beach. Here the local Seagulls were waiting for there morning hand out. We flew kites for 3 hours in the rain and wind. watched other people set up there kites to fly, and enjoyed watching people on horseback, children and adults playing in the ocean surf, and building sand castle. The best part of today sofar was relaxing and getting warm in the room hot tub. Later were off to the quinalt beach resort and casino for dinner. Here Driving into the resort seemed like forever. Just a beautiful drive with lots of greenery. From the partking lot, you can cross over the man made pond which for me is like eye candy. I love ponds and waterfalls. Enter into the resort, grab your game cards, and play for a while, then head off to Emily's restraunt and piano bar. It is a beautiful view of the ocean, and wetlands from here also. The staff is warm and friendly, and the food is so good you don't ever want to leave. Try the Steaks or rack of lamb. and for desert. The vanilla Stuffed cream puffs. Heaven in your mouth. After your stuffed to capassity, go and enjoy the games and slots, and win win win. yahoo. I hit a good one. The trip here is definatly worth it. It is a little pricey, but well worth it. I will definatly come here again. maybe next year. and stay at the quinault resort. I loved every minute of our 3 day weekend. here. Definatly a place to get married, or celebrate an anniversary, with the one you love.

We arrived at the Best Western Light house Suites Inn located at 491 Damon Road N.W. Ocean Shores, Wa. Friday July 20th. For our 17th Wedding Anniv. To our suprise It was pouring down rain, and very windy. Not typical I hear for July. After checking in We drove down to the beach, Which you can drive on. Here we found a lot of Local birds. SeaGalls, and this funny looking bird a cross between a duck and goose it looked like. The SeaGalls really love to flock to you and your car looking for any kind of hand outs, The push and shove each other to get your attention, and definatly take there time walking infront of you as to say slow down this is our home. Trying to get out of your car to take a walk is a challange, when the wind is blowing so hard it blows everything around. So wether the sun is shining, or raining, bring a warm coat. Around 5:00p.m. we finally caught of the clouds trying to break away for a quick glimps and tease of the sun, but you don't always get what you want. At around 7:00p.m. We went to the hotel restraunt waves for dinner, and to dry off. Very nice atmospher. As you exit the elevator into the Waves restraunt there is a friendly staff waiting to greet you. The kitchen is to the left, which is open to view. The dining area is a romantic setting dimly lit with little candles, and wall lighting. If your lucky enough to get the window seating you have a beautiful view of the wetlands, and the ocean with it's waves crashing onto the sandy shore. You can catch people walking on the beach,and if your lucky a view of the animals that live here. The service was a little slow, I think due to a reunion that was there also. But the food is great. Try the Steamed clams in white wine and garlic sauce. for your appitizer, and The 6 oz steak. wow. For the beverages, the Daquarie's and pina colada's pack a powerful punch. And for dessert you have to have the cheese cake. wow. You will leave feeling very full, and satisfied.