What do you get your parents for Christmas? That baffling question that rolls around once a year, just about this season. By the age of 77 and 80, Jim’s parents have acquired everything they really want or need. In an attempt to NOT further clutter their house with stuff, last year we chose to, instead, present them with an experience. A weekend away at their choice of destination- the beach, Bend, Mt. Hood?

We recently returned from said weekend, and a fun time it was! After much research we ended up renting the King Crabber, sitting picturesquely above Netarts Bay on the Oregon coast. Offering fantastic views over the bay, the house offers up two bedrooms, another bed in the loft, and a studio over the garage, plenty of room for the four of us and three adorable black dogs.

It’s been over nearly two years since we have spent an entire weekend with them, and it proved to be a weekend of fun, amazing views, some great sightseeing, and a lot of laughs.

We drove the 3 Capes Scenic Loop, taking time to walk out and tour the Cape Mears lighthouse. We showed them the campground at Cape Lookout, our frequent weekend getaway, we stopped for burritos at our favorite taco stand in Tillamook and ended with cheese tasting and snacks at the Blue Heron Cheese Factory.

We watched movies, ate well, tried Mead for the first time, and reminisced about vacations past, while hearing all about their upcoming trip to Kauai.

All in all, a wonderful weekend away with two of our favorite people!