a coast post

We made our way to Jeff and Karen's Saturday morning and packed up the car to head to Cannon Beach. Josh's grandparents were also along for the weekend, and this trip coincided perfectly with Karen's birthday celebration! After stops at the outlet mall and Quizno's for lunch, we were on our way to the Oregon coast, and I couldn't have been more excited.

When we arrived we unpacked and promptly made our way down to the beach to enjoy the clear sky and 70-something-degree weather. (We stayed in Josh's aunt and uncle's beachfront property, so the beach was a three-minute walk away!)

While I walked around barefoot and took pictures and dozed and read my book, Josh spent three full hours flying a kite.

I found this display of boyishness completely invigorating.

That night we all went to Mo's for dinner. Josh requested some crayons so he could enjoy the kids' place mat he'd also requested.

The sun stayed out until 9:00 or 9:30, and we all stopped what we were doing to watch the sunset. Then we ate birthday cake. Obviously. (I can't believe I forgot to get a picture of the chocolate angel food cake I made for the occasion.)

Sunday morning we walked along the beach for a hour or so and this time enjoyed a chillier, cloudy coast.

What I loved most about this coast is that it reminds me strikingly of the mountains. The Oregon coast is just that—a coast. Not a beach. You don't find boardwalks, bikinis, or Sno-Cone machines here. Instead you find washed up kelp, driftwood, and sea-smoothed rocks.

The constant ebbing of the tides and the slate gray ocean expanse contrast beautifully with rocky cliffs and forest. It's so wild. It's that wildness that reminds me so vividly of the Rocky Mountains. The briny air is clear and crisp and cleansing. We saw whale spouts, seals flipping out of the water, and faraway fishing boats.

On our walk Sunday morning, I made my way to some mussel-covered rocks hiding pools of anemones. At one point I stared transfixed at the tidal dynamics directing the water crashing on the rocks. I felt suspended in the liminality between what's familiar and all that I don't know. I felt removed from my comfort zone and placed on the edge of untamed, beautiful, wild nature.

We finished up the weekend with napping, movies, card games, and more birthday cake. The Oregon coast is one of my new favorite places, and I'm pretty sure that we'll be planning many more coastal excursions.