Cascade Head Trail & Lincoln City

Lately I have truly begun to see the value in making the most of my weekends, and one of the best ways to do accomplish this is to go on a mini road trip. In my case this means an escape from the city to the coast! There is something amazingly comforting and therapeutic about gazing out into the ocean. It seems to put all my problems and stresses into perspective. I'm not sure if my fascination with the ocean stems from growing up in one of the most landlocked states imaginable(Colorado) or if it has this effect on everyone, but either way I have decided to take advantage of my new found proximity to the sea.

The day started with a hike along the Cascade Head Trail. We hiked to the lower viewpoint, about 4 moderately difficult miles round trip. It begins with a very steep incline up what feels like a flight of stairs built into the trail, but levels off fairly quickly. The landscape is wooded most of the way, and opens up to one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen. The viewpoint is on the edge of a cliff, sloping all the way to the ocean. The feeling sitting atop that cliff, with the salty breeze in my hair, and the sound of waves far in the distance was energizing and refreshing. Luckily we chose the perfect day to go, one where the sky is clear and the scenery stretches on forever. 

The next stop was Lincoln City, a cute beach town right along the coast. One of the best features of the beaches here are the tide pools. The anemones, crabs, mussels, and other tiny sea life offer some free entertainment. Stopping at Mo's for some clam chowder is also a must, and it is how we ended the day.What is your favorite day-trip getaway?