cannon beach campout

Jon & Tristen and friends of Central Bible Sunday night church camped out at Cannon Beach last weekend and a tagged along.

We departed after my 7:30am TCC algebra class, so I was more than ready to crash in the back seat of Tristen's Jetta for two and a half hours to Portland – and then another two to the beach.

Wright's For Camping was our destination. It was a grassy parking lot with scattered trees, and the restrooms were well kept. After setting up camp we headed for the ocean.

One problem: Jon forgot his trunks. No problem: there were plenty of surf shops. Brown pinstripes and an embroidered lion rampant were the design of the Rip Curl trunks approved by Tristen, myself, and the guy on the clock.



We were blessed with sunshine all weekend -- after the first night that every camper woke to heavy raindrops splattering on their tent tops.

The exception: the unfortunate Brally's who had a sweet tent but left the rain cover to it behind. Instead, they woke up to heavy raindrops splattering on their faces, pillows, sleeping bags, clothes, blankets, and children. These were not happy campers. John Brally dubbed the grounds “Wrights for Complaining.” I give them kudos, though, for sticking it out another night.

My rinky-dink tent stood the test of Mother Nature. It’s the very tent the family used at Centralia’s One Thousand Trails during childhood camping trips. Originally, Mom and Paps found it stranded, so they submitted a police report and since it as never claimed they took it in as their own. The tent story sounds awfully similar to the one about how I became part of the family – but I think mine involved a milkman or a stump.

Day 2 I rented a full-body wetsuit and a boogey board and went with the surfers to Short Sands. The hike from the parking lot to the ocean was a little bit of a drag, but the beach was well worth it. Two cliffs jetted hundreds of feet into the ocean, providing bigger waves and protecting the stretch of beach from strong winds.

Day 3 we bouldered under the instruction of Urban Climber Joel at Hub Point. Bouldering is similar to rock climbing, but it isolates difficult sections on rock walls that are low to the ground and don’t require rope or carabiners. Advanced climbers boulder on a regular basis for practice, but it is also great for beginners as it requires less equipment and presents less of an injury risk. All you need are a pair of climbing shoes, a chalk bag and comfortable clothes.



The tide prematurely ended the climbing for the day. A half hour was the difference between walking and swimming back to the main beach. The others were leaving for dinner when when we headed back to Short Sands. Jon said, "I'd rather be starving at the beach than be full at the campground." I agreed.

Dusk arrived at the campground and Joel set up a slack lane for tight rope walking. He made it look just as easy as he made bouldering seem. Jon was the only first-timer of the group who successfully walked the line. I was able to get up but lost balance with the first step. Getting up was tricky and dictated the quality of your balance.



To get up: Place the foot of one bent leg upon the rope, applying little to no pressure. Push off the ground with the other leg, thrusting the body high into the air and down on the rope. Keeping the line from shaking was a task and a half.

We gathered large branches from the woods and the night concluded with smores and a beach bonfire. There was little wind and the stars were unobstructed by a cloudless sky.



What to do with a bonfire encircled by a handful of young adults but to play campfire games? Telephone was among the few that we played. It's always fun until people start changing the words purposefully. It's understandable for "Homestar runner and brownies make for a great date" to change to "Homestar brownies make for a great cake." BUUUUUUT I've always wondered how ones like "When he walked into the room I said, 'ooooh, he's a tall drink of water'," become "that lady is a fine mamma-jamma."

Telephone is only so entertaining and the group moved to a game that tested one’s control of their facial muscles. Someone requests, “Baby if you loved me would you please, please, smile." Another replied, "Baby, you know I love you, but I just can't smile.” If one smiled they became IT and went on to pursue another victim. Making Joel smile was no easy task – but late in the game I was able to crack him: "Hello my slick tight-rope man, if you loved me would you please, please smile." He got to about "You know I love you” and then CHEESE.

The next morning it was time to go. The train ride from Portland to Tacoma was my first, and although it took just as long as the drive, I was spoiled by a view of the Puget Sound starting at Steilacoom going North.