The Good Life - My Cozy Cottage in the Northwest Coastal Hills

I thought I'd have to wait until retirement to enjoy a cozy little cabin in the deep woods. But a year ago as I was house-hunting, my attention was captured by a sweet little home nestled in the middle of Vernonia, Oregon. This small town lies in the northwest corner of the state halfway between the city of Portland and the Astoria to Seaside beaches. Take Highway 26 as if you're headed to the coast and then take the Highway 47 exit north. There's even a big sign near this off ramp to make sure that you don't miss this wonderful vacation as well as living spot.

The scenery is ever-changing as it jumps from wilderness to domestic land and then back again. I absolutely adore my daily commute as I follow the rolling road uphill and down through lush forest and quaint farmland. Keep your eyes peeled for the local wildlife. Rabbits, deer, elk and the occasional coyote might cross your path before they disappear into the nearby brush. The kids can play driving bingo by counting how many horses, cows, sheep, pigs, goats and other livestock they can spy along the trip, too. Camera buffs will be pleased with the many wide shoulder areas for pulling over to enjoy the scenery and take a few gorgeous shots of this temperate rain forest locale.

For an outdoor enthusiast like myself, this place is heaven. There are several campgrounds and parks available and most of them are only a few short blocks from my home. Anderson Park is the main overnight camp with the convenience of being only two city blocks from the local grocery store, specialty shops and restaurant scene along the central avenue of Bridge Street. Anderson sports a horse exercising arena near the east end of the grounds and also from this location you can cross the sturdy bridge across burbling Rock Creek to enjoy several smaller hiking trails, one of which leads to the local fishing hole known as Vernonia Lake. Once upon a time this was the local mill pond but it has since been successfully converted to provide prime trout for even the unluckiest fisherman. At the other end of Anderson is the beginning of the Banks-Vernonia Trail. Hikers, bikers and horses can travel here to enjoy the greenery and other sights.

Another park ground within walking distance is Hawkins Park, a wonderful little picnic spot right off Bridge Street. It also hosts 'Dewey Pool' from early to late summer when a small dam is placed across Rock Creek to create a swimming area. There is a concrete kiddy pool provided adjacent to the main swimming hole for your tiny tots or anyone not feeling quite brave enough to risk the main pool. Norman Rockwell would have loved this scene as local neighbors and visitors enjoy the shaded waters of the creek on a hot summer's day.

Right across the bridge from Hawkins is Shay Park. This is the final resting place of Shay locomotive #102 which was once owned and operated by the Oregon-American Lumber Company. There is a trail leading down to a viewing platform next to the creek that offers an up close view of salmon on their way to their spawning grounds in the fall.

If I hike a little ways uphill through town there's Spencer Park at the north end of Missouri Avenue. This is a multi-sports park with fields for softball, baseball, soccer, football or any other sports activity. It's also a wonderful place to fly a kite or toss a Frisbee if you're so inclined.

If all this great outdoors is not your thing, the neat and trim little main street is loaded with all sorts of boutiques. From clothing and sewing supplies to curio shops and antiques to a few exotic or imported treats, a quick walk down Bridge Street offers all sorts of fun for the window shopper as well as for the souvenir hunter. There is also a small museum at the top of the hill as you head towards Spencer Park with all manner of lumber tools, old-fashioned clothing and accessories and plenty of stories about the pioneers who settled the region.

There is something for pretty much everyone here in Vernonia. I was concerned at first about my longer commute when I first found this place, but the drive through the forest is so beautiful that I don't mind the forty-five minutes it takes me to get to work and back each day. Especially when a bunny or deer leap nearby to make me smile or take my breath away. I didn't have to wait until I retired to find my dream cottage in the woods. I found my good life right here in the Norwest coastal hills in a cozy little town with a bit of everything to offer.