The temperature in Eugene was 96 degrees today. We have not been to the coast together in years and it was much too hot to work around here so we packed up the van and took a very scenic, back road, trip to the beach. The weatherman had predicted it would not be there but as we neared the coast we could see the dreaded fog bank. Fortunately, I had thrown in coats at the last minute. The temperature quickly dropped as we drove to the jetty. We did not even get out of the car to hike over the dunes to the actual beach. It was 54 degrees, misty and blowing hard. Even with coats, we would have been uncomfortably cold in our shorts and sandals. The signs now say dogs are required to be on leash. Getting sandblasted while being pulled up and over the high dunes did not seem like a good time.
I had spotted a little pullout not far from the jetty. The dogs really needed to run and I wanted to get some sand between my toes. We parked, followed a faint path through the rushes and came out on a somewhat sheltered, beautiful abandoned beach. 
Cedar and Willy race to the water.
Cedar and Willy race to the water.
first taste of saltwater 
our own wonderful place to play
"Come on in McKenzie. The water is fine."
The third, happy, sandy, soaked dog to put in the back of the van. 
No trip to the beach is complete without a trip to the ice cream and saltwater taffy shop, even if you are on the cool side. After eating our waffle cones of "Oregon Trail" ice cream in the shelter of the warm van, we took another back road, scenic trip home - laughing as we watched the temperature climb back into the 90's. Once home, I headed for the large pond to give the dogs a fresh water cleaning. I brushed the last of the sand out of their fur as we dried off in the waining sun. Life is Good indeed.