We got up close and personal, on July 7, 2025, with the fish and fishing boats of Newport, Oregon.
Newport is 2 1/2 hours south, down the Oregon coast, from Manzanitas. This was our big travel day, and we fit in a walking tour of the Newport harbor, a fresh fish lunch, and a visit to the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
A professor from Oregon State University who studies fishing stocks and regulations led a tour for our family.
We walked from one boat to the next along the pier as the professor pointed out which boats were trawlers, which line catchers, the equipment they used, and the fish they caught. I will never look at fishing boats the same way again!
Next stop was a fish shack that had some of the best fried crab, oysters, and shrimp I have ever tasted. The fish were brought to the shack directly from the dock. The line of customers stretched out the door, but the wait was worth it.
Spencer coached Bryce through slurping down his first raw oyster.
We finished our Newport day with a visit to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. It might not have matched the Monterey Bay or Baltimore Aquariums, but it was excellent, with a tunnel under a huge tank of sharks and big fish, tidepools, and otter feeding.
Grant encouraged me to come along with Meg and him, so I could get better acquainted with their one-year-old, Junie.
Junie was fascinated with the fish.
Audrey and Calder joined Junie in peering into the huge fish tank.
One of the highlights of the aquarium was walking through the tunnel, with sharks and other big fish swimming around and about.
Eliza loved the exhibits.
Eliza left a handwritten note on the board where aquarium visitor pledged to use less plastics. Naomi translated Eliza's note as, "Will use less plastics."
We waited for the otter feeding to begin and, when it was over, the families with little children headed for the playground before driving back to Manzanita. Jonny, Steve, Ezra, and a contingent of other golfers played at a link nearby (photos to come).
The drive along the coast, to and from Manzanita, was also memorable. After dinner together in Manzanitas, we shared family stories, from tales of our pioneer ancestors, to fun memories of past family parties, to descriptions of Grandpa Dave's practical jokes.
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