WHEN ALL YOU CAN SAY IS "WOW"

There are days in Oceanside that are good, then there are days that are great. The great days usually catch me off guard. Like today, the forecast isn't really all that promising -- scattered showers, partly sunny, with a high near 57. West NW wind 8-10 mph. Chance of precipitation 50%. You might not take a walk on the beach based on this forecast, but when you live at the beach, or you work at the beach, your job sometimes takes you outside for things that must be done rain, or shine, at which time you come across days that are great that you didn't see coming. That is the beauty of being here everyday (literally). Sneaky great days. 

This morning I went out on sign patrol, which took me from Whiskey Creek in Netarts, into the village of Oceanside, then to my final destination, a lot I just listed on Cape Meares Loop (on the way to the Cape Meares Lighthouse MLS#16-522.) I knew as soon as I passed by Symons State Park where the Three Arch Rocks come into view that today was special -- Gorgeous turquoise waves rolling onto the beach in Oceanside 3 feet at 16 seconds intervals!?! I continued around the Cape Meares Loop and up onto the building site of my new listing overlooking Lost Boy Beach. Sign in my left hand and sledge hammer in my right I walked up to the edge, and all I could say was, "WOW." 

I find myself shaking my head in disbelief often at the this place we call home. Hearts and souls get filled up in places like this! Just as I was getting back in my car a little rain started to come down, but as the forecast suggested, it only lasted for a few minutes. My rating of today is great. Rain, shine, calm winds and a perfect ocean. 

 Ready to change your pace? It will change your life. I can help. 

www.iwantabeachhome.com

See you at the beach!

~Wendy

NETARTS SURF INN

If you visited Netarts as a kid, you might remember the "Sea Lion Motel." According to Tillamook County this structure was built in 1960, though they also reference an "effective year built date" of 1900! Without a doubt there is a lot of history here! I am not old enough to have seen it in it's glory days, but I do remember maybe staying there at least once sometime in the mid-80's. It didn't seem too bad back then. But, since I moved to Netarts about 10 years ago I pass by it every day (sometimes four or five times). During this time it was operating as a month-to-month rental, pulling down about $500/month even in it's dire condition. It went into foreclosure a couple years back, and was then purchased in November 2015 by two locals with big ideas, community ties and a sincere love for Netarts -- Contractor Nick Petersen (also co-owner of TraskBox) and local business owner Skyler Veek (owner of Lucky Bear Soap Co. in Tillamook.) It was in desperate need of renovation and we are grateful for the recent transformation!

 The Sea Lion Motel will be remembered by many, but with open arms we welcome the "NETARTS SURF INN." If you ever stayed at the Sea Lion Motel, you will be pleasantly surprised by the changes new owners, Nick and Skyler have made. With good, solid craftsmanship, care and a decorators eye this place has been reworked top to bottom -- new roof, siding, windows, floors, paint, cabinets, toilets, appliances, beds, couches...truly every last thing. Well, almost everything. 

They managed to salvaged the 1960's vintage showers, which in itself is worth coming to see. They remind me of patchwork quilts and carpet (I think my dad carpeted our basement himself with mismatched carpet squares) popular during that time, and somehow they held together all of these years and manage to have a design element that still works today. 

There are seven units total. Six have one bedroom, one bathroom and a sleeper sofa. Four of those six have a mini-fridge, sink and microwave; two have kitchenettes more suitable for preparing meals. The largest unit has two bedrooms, one bathroom and a full kitchen. At least one of the units are dog-friendly. In the future the property may also have a laundry facility for vacationers to utilize, but likely not in time for the soft opening this coming weekend. All units have cable, wi-fi, smart TV's and coffee pots, just in case you come into town for a stay and a storm moves in. It could happen! 

The Netarts Surf Inn is located at 4951 Netarts Hwy W in the heart of Netarts. "Seaworthy Coffee" is across the street, "By the Sea" grocery store and deli is next door, Josi's market is one block NW, "Lexi's Cool Stuff" is to the North and beach access is just two blocks away. You can walk to Happy Camp and all the way to Oceanside on the beach from this access point during lower tides in the Winter and pretty much all of the time in the Spring, Summer and Fall. You can also walk to "The Schooner Restaurant and Lounge" from the Netarts Surf Inn in about five minutes.

Reservations can be made at www.NetartsSurfInn.com. For now, this takes you to a Facebook page. The contact number for reservations is 503.354.2644, email: netartssurfinn@gmail.com.

I hope you will come visit Netarts and Oceanside and stay a night, or two at the Netarts Surf Inn. If you are interested in "Changing your pace and changing your life" don't hesitate to give me a call so I can help you find the perfect beach house and you can get started on your pace changing, life changing mission. 

Visit my website www.iwantabeachhome.com to see what is for sale in our area and my other website www.ilovethenw.com to see what is so amazing about this place. See you at the beach!

~Wendy

wendy@iwantabeachhome.com

WILLAMETTE WEEK - GOING COASTAL: CHANGE YOUR PACE, CHANGE YOUR LIFE

This is an ad I just ran in the Willamette Week. Yes, that is my family in the pictures [big smile] and these photos were taken in February! I don't run many ads like this, but I got to thinking if I did I may be able to help people in a positive way by sharing with them what I have experienced living here on the Oregon Coast over the last nine years, which may in turn actually change someone else's life for the better, forever. I am a Real Estate Broker and my technical job is selling beach homes, but really I think my "job" is about helping people realize exactly where they belong and then helping them get there. Start to finish.

This feeling of being called to "help" has been coming over me the last few months and recently has been amplified by a a trend I see developing. People (married, single, retired, partnered, etc) are selling their homes in Portland and then investing the cash proceeds into homes on the coast in Netarts, Oceanside and Cape Meares (7 miles West of Tillamook, 70 miles from Portland.) What I hear these people consistently saying is this, "We are fed up with the increase in traffic, people and housing prices in the greater Portland area in recent years. We are tired of the rat race of the city and are ready for a slower pace along with clean, fresh ocean air." It's hard to argue with this position. 

Change your pace, change your life. I think there's something to this! Living in a small coastal community is life changing. After moving here from the Portland area nine years ago I can testify to this fully. For you, for your kids, your dogs and cats, everyone. When you are here you find yourself doing things that matter and fill you up (like hiking, kayaking,bird watching, crabbing, fishing, talking long walks on the beach, watching sunsets over bonfires, storm watching, agate and sea glass hunting, etc) instead of empty, expensive activities (like shopping and sitting in traffic) that simply busy you and take up your time and energy. You don't accidentally end up at the mall when you live here. The pace takes some getting used to, but quickly you realize how numb you had become from the hustle and bustle inherent to living where there are masses of people and traffic and things you think you should be doing. And, the city is close by if you need it.

Admittedly, if you have kids, and/or you work full-time+, there is only so much you can "slow down", but everything about living here, from the view during your drive to work, or school, to the sounds you hear with your windows open at night, the air you breathe, to the outdoor spaces and activities you can get to within just a few minutes truly is unlike anything else. The road I take to work every morning overlooks Netarts Bay. It is unbeatable. If you've considered this idea (slowing things down in your life here at the coast full-time, or part-time) -and would like to know more about one of these awesome little beach towns (Oceanside, Netarts, or Cape Meares) call, or email me anytime. I can help change your pace, by changing where you live and spend your time, which will change your life.

  
I hope to see you at the beach!
~Wendy
www.iwantabeachhome.com
wendy@iwantabeachhome.com

Here is a link to my photo gallery:
www.ilovethenw.com

CAPE MEARES RADAR STATION IN OCEANSIDE FROM WWII

If American history interests you and you happen to be in Oceanside here's something you should check out: tucked back in the woods up on the hill East of Radar Road in Oceanside are remnants of what is said to be a WWII early warning air defense radar station. In the little bit of information I could find online, it looks like it may have been Station B-25 (SCR-270 radar). This was one of a chain of 65 stations built along the Pacific Coast during WWII -- all for the same purpose. It was in use from 1942-1944. It no longer has a roof, doors, or guns, but the remaining structure is enough to get your imagination going. The trail to get up there resembles an elk trail, but it's worth the short walk through the brush to see it!

The lookout tower in the back of the structure with the hillside dug out behind.

 Wood planks still on-site that are notched on the ends & appear to have 

been headers over the entry.

We squeezed this walk into an already very full Saturday in honor of Memorial Day. The weather was perfect and the woods were lovely, as usual. It's hard to believe this has been here since 1942 and we just found out about it this year! It seems there is always something new to see, or do here that really isn't so new -- just new to me! This is definitely worth taking the time to see!

See you at the beach!
~Wendy

NOT SO WINTER WEATHER ON THE OREGON COAST

If you haven't been here in the past couple of months, I am going to apologize now for what I am about to show you.  It almost isn't fair, though I hope to get some credit for taking the time to share! Winter 2014 has delivered what I would describe in two words as "simply splendid," which for me is much more than Vitamin-D.  It's a chance to experience this area, specifically Netarts and Oceanside, at what I would consider its very best. The photo opportunities I have been privileged enough to be a witness to and take part in have been copius.  December 2013 and January 2014 have proven to be the driest, sunniest months this area has seen in more than 40 years.  Besides the Artic blast that came to town in December, which brought temperatures as low as 10 degrees for about a week (and sun!), it has been unseasonably warm -- like 67 degrees warm with a strong East wind last Friday! 

So, without further ado, here are a few of the sunrises, sunsets and really everything in between that have graced us so far this Winter! I hope you enjoy a glimpse into our Winter experience so far this year.  I can't express how grateful I am for all we have been given!  Thank you, Netarts Bay for your participation!

First sunset of December 2013 - Netarts Bay near the marina

A couple of days after our record low of 10 - On the beach in Happy Camp, Netarts

10 degrees this Sunday morning - an unforgettable sunrise along the Tillamook River

Calm as can be in the middle of December! - Netarts Bay

Ripples from a passing crab boat and gorgeous clouds just in time for sunset - Netarts Bay



Few clouds in the sky this evening over Netarts Bay, which is rare for this time of year. - The Netarts Spit in the foreground.

Netarts Bay doing what it does best, complimented by not even a whisper of wind.  Amazing!  - Netarts Bay

More late afternoon crabbing on a very content Netarts Bay.

Sunrise over the beach in Oceanside at low tide - Oceanside, Oregon

Seemingly gentle and beautiful tide coming in at sunrise - Oceanside, Oregon

60+ degrees on New Years Day 2014 - Netarts Spit

They are grateful for the nice New Years Day weather I am certain - Netarts Spit

Hands down the most beautiful and meaningful sunset I have ever experienced - January 2, 2014 over Netarts Bay

Painted sky - Netarts Bay

The visibility in the bay is so good you can see shells on the bottom! - Netarts Bay 

Dried flowers right where I needed them - Low tide, Netarts Bay

Low light noise takes on the feeling of a painting - Netarts Bay

Glorious East wind creating veils off every wave rolling into the beach - Cape Meares

The East wind, incoming tide and setting sun doing a wicked dance! - The mouth of Netarts Bay 



He loves living here in Netarts as much as I do.  It must be the sunsets!! - Netarts Bay, Blue Heron

FALL SPLENDOR ON THE OREGON COAST

Fall is my favorite time of year on the Oregon Coast.  Daytime temperatures rise to the upper 60's and nights drop down to cool, crisp 30's and 40's.  Winds become light to non-existent, which makes for comfortable walks on the beach and calm waters for crabbing & fishing, and fog develops over pastures each night creating delightful sunrises over the coast range.  The Real Estate market it humming right along, just as I would expect in September and October, but I have been able to make some time to catch quite a few sunsets, take a walk in the woods, watch the sunrise over the coast range, find some tiny little mushrooms (and some big ones) and watch the pelicans swirl around the Three Arch Rocks and the Netarts Spit. Here are some pictures from my September and October outings....

 Netarts Bay the night before our first storm of the season in September -- early for this area.

 Mushrooms growing out of a tree stump along the Cape Lookout trail leading to the tip.

 Sunset over the Netarts Spit.  The sky looked like it was on fire!

 A delicate spider web in the woods of Netarts sagging under the weight of the dew from a cool night.

 Mushrooms growing from a lush bed of ferns in the woods of Netarts.

 Chanterelle popping up out of the lush groundcover in the woods of Netarts.

 Sunrise over the coast range taken from Netarts.

 These mushrooms were barely two inches tall -- so delicate and perfect!

 Pelicans swirling around the Three Arch Rocks in Oceanside at sunset.

 Gorgeous sunset over the Three Arch Rocks

 Another beautiful sunset in Oceanside

 Gulls taking in the sunset in Happy Camp.

 Reflection of the clouds in Netarts Bay.

 Blue Heron enjoying dinner in Netarts Bay. 

 A gull flying into the sunset over Netarts Bay.

We have sun in the forecast for the last 15 days of October.  Many photographic opportunities are in my future, which I look forward to very much!

See you at the beach!
~Wendy