Sand and Sea

Last Saturday my sweetheart and I drove ninety miles to the Oregon Coast where I met some girlfriends who were camping in their vintage trailers by the sea.  One of the gals owns a wonderful beach house just above the waves. She had invited me to join her and the other gals for lunch at her beautiful home.  My sweetheart dropped me off a bit early.  When she invited me to come in I thought I must be in Heaven!  Oh, to have a place where the sand and the sea is just steps away!  The view from her living room was breath-taking.  The sun was shining bright which made it hard to get good photos.The house wasn’t large but when I stepped out on the deck it seemed the whole world was at their doorstep.  The view from the side deck would have been enough to capture my heart. . . But the deck wrapped around the side and entire front of the house, giving the feeling we were on top of the world!  To the south – as far as my eye could see – the sea.  And sand.And there was more to the north.  See the wooden walkway?It leads to stairs that take you down the side of the bluff to the sand below.After a lunch of salad – made of sliced tomatoes and sliced mozzarella cheese topped with chopped fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil – chicken served with rice followed by Marionberry pie with ice cream, and a good, long visit, we went back to the campground.  Some of us headed out to see The Connie Hansen Garden – a beautiful garden in the heart of the coastal city.  It’s hidden from view but well worth seeing.  You can read more about it here.We didn’t get to see much of the garden.  It was closed for a wedding that was about to begin.  We saw a little corner that was in bloom – and we saw the bride.  I decided I must go back to wander the paths and take in the beauty there soon. Two of the gals in the car that I rode in had never been to the Oregon Coast before.  Our driver decided it was time for them to be initiated – they must walk in the sand and stick their toes in the chilly, cold waters of the Pacific Ocean.  Off we went to a favorite roadside beach.  The sun was warm but a strong wind was blowing.  It didn’t stop people from enjoying the beach – and it didn’t stop us.  Off came our shoes and into the sand we walked.  The sand was very fine.  And warm to our toes.  Down to the water’s edge for the gals to walk into the water for a minute or two and then back to the sand to warm our toes.We went back to camp where I had time to visit with the gals, to hear of their adventures over the weekend – and to know that I want to join them again when they return to the beach next year! 

What did my sweetheart do while I was playing with my friends?  He and Joey walked on the beach, had lunch (yes, Joey had lunch, too!) and enjoyed a couple of shops that my sweetheart enjoys.  He picked me up late in the afternoon and we headed for a favorite place for some chowder and fish tacos.  Then home again (with a stop to see friends on the way).  It was a gorgeous day – a day with friends and my sweetheart at the beach.  We will return soon.  Very soon.  And I can’t wait!