Anniversary Getaway - John J MacDonald Photography

We started dating fifteen years ago, after six months of flirting. Two years later we married at 10:10am on 10/10/2010. For our 13th anniversary, Lori, my wonderful wife, planned a four day/three night getaway in a rustic cabin on a working cattle ranch just outside of Tillamook, Oregon. We, Lori, Willis and I, headed south on US101, stopping at the Lilliwaup Store for ice cream at the recommendation of our good friend, Vickie. It was well worth it, great ice cream! We then took a back route through Raymond, Washington, stopping at Fort Columbia State Park before crossing the Astoria-Megler Bridge into Astoria, Oregon. Lori found a great view of the bridge from Fort Columbia and I couldn’t resist taking some photos.

While in Astoria we stopped for lunch at a food truck Lori had discovered, Surf 2 Soul. Lori got a shrimp Po’ Boy, I had stacked chicken mac and cheese (blacked chicken on Cajun spiced mac and cheese). Willis, poor guy, had his regular kibble. We also got peach cobbler that was to die for. The food was plentiful, enough for another meal the next day, and just incredible. Jordan, the owner/chef, was as friendly as could be. Photos courtesy of Lori.

Stuffed, we left Astoria and headed south to Tillamook. Arriving at the cabin just before dusk, we ate a light dinner (still stuffed from lunch) and settled in for the night.

The next morning we awoke to the sound of mooing cattle. I’d seen longhorns before while driving through Texas but never this close. The fence separating us from the cattle was about 15 yards from the cabin! Our only concern for this getaway was Willis’ reaction to the cattle. We quickly found that concern to be unfounded, he couldn’t have cared less about the cattle. And the cattle couldn’t have cared less about him. Several of them were quite photogenic, as you can see below.

There was a beautiful sunset previous evening, but I didn’t have my camera ready. I was hoping for a repeat this evening. It did not let me down and my camera was ready.

Besides being on a cattle ranch, the cabin was on the Trask River. Lori and I spent much of our time relaxing, reading and watching the river flow by while Willis explored as far as his lead would allow. One morning I went down to the river to get photos of the sunrise. The sunrise to the east was not very interesting so I turned my attention to the west and took a few shots.

The morning of day four our getaway came to an end. Lori used her incredible Tetris skills to pack up the car, we said good bye to the rustic cabin, cattle and Trask River and headed home. What a great time I had with these two!