Last week, I took a super last-minute trip to the beach with my daughter. Made hotel reservations two days prior. Arranged for my dogs to be looked after. And off we went!
I’m guilty of getting caught up in my business. I challenge myself to be a better photographer and business owner daily. And often times, it’s wearing. And sometimes, I worry that my daughter sees me putting in too much time working, and not enough time with her. Or that I’m short with her because I’m a little stressed out.
So what better way to get some quality time in together than leaving all the stressors behind and spending nearly two FULL days at the beach?! The beach is my happy place. And man. This was one HAPPY trip. We smiled and laughed together all.day.long. We got sandy. We ran. We flew her first kite together. We walked into town to get ice cream. We swam in the pool at the hotel. We made s’mores at the beach bonfire. And then we settled in together to watch a movie in our room and eat popcorn before passing out (hard)!
We always stay at the Surfsand Resort in Cannon Beach. They are seriously the best. If you need any convincing, well, read above. But also, they include crafts for kids, bonfires on the beach (with s’mores!), “cabana” services on the beach with chairs and umbrellas, a pail and shovel upon arrival for the littles, a long list of movies and games — delivered with popcorn if you so choose, and kids eat free at their participating restaurants! So awesome. And stunning views of Haystack Rock. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much by the end of day one.
Day two, we woke up and took a morning stroll on the beach. Because when the sun’s out on the PNW coast, you do that! We looked for puffins on Haystack Rock, and then grabbed breakfast. One more dip in the pool and a shower before checkout, and then it was time for more beach strolling!
Before we went home, because we were in tax-free Oregon, I decided to swing by the Carter’s outlet in Seaside. We found a beautiful little dress that she loved! So we grabbed a sandwich, stopped at the beach in Gearhart, had a picnic and took some (more!) adorable pictures that will be special to me forever. I wish there had been more people at Gearhart Beach to take a picture of my daughter and I together, but I did get lucky in handing my camera off to three strangers in Cannon Beach to get at least ONE good image of her and I there! Don’t forget to get IN the pictures too! It’s not for you. It’s for them.
