This past weekend we drove 2.5 hours west to the Oregon Coast.  Every year Kevin's close group of five friends from high school have a reunion, and this was the first year that everyone brought their families along for the fun.  Our destination was a rental home right on the beach in Bandon- an adorable town flanked by State Parks with it's fair share of coffee, taffy, & chocolate shops.  Our mission was to relax, eat amazing food, and enjoy the company.  The rainy, stormy weather helped us to achieve our goal because no one felt guilty sitting inside all day sipping on coffee, eating cheese, and at some point transitioning to wine and board games.

Bandon is stunning- whether looking north or south you can see rugged, craggy rock formations.  The tides are extreme, with high tide bringing a rush of cold salt water we had to run from and low tide bringing a wide expanse of brown, sand beach.  Our rainy beach walk revealed an interesting phenomenon- thousands of pyrosomes had washed up on shore.  Of course, we had to google what these strange pickle-like creatures were for more information. 

While our Bandon experience revolved around cooking elaborate meals, good wine, board games, naps, and small ventures to the beach & town, here are my top 5 things to do in Bandon:

1. Walk the beach along the Bandon State Natural Area.
2. Sip decadent drinking chocolate at Coastal Mist in downtown Bandon.
3. Spot "the face" in the rock formation at the Face Rock State Park viewing point.
4. Taste an incredible variety of cheese or at Face Rock Creamery (their mac n' cheese in bomb.com)
5. Stroll the streets of Old Town Bandon & peruse the shops, eateries, & coffee houses. Thre's even a suggested Old Town Beach Walk you might try.