Mon, Oct 11, 2010

Monday, October 11, 2010

We have been on this road trip for two weeks and I think it is probably a good time to remind those of you who are still checking in and perhaps even reading some of this that I’m not trying to write a great book.  It’s meant primarily for me and Charles and our family.  The reason for this is simple… probably no one but our family would find any of this especially interesting.  Truth be told, they probably don’t find it interesting either, but they humor us by acting like they do.  So if you are not a family member, but yet still are hanging in there with us… well good for you!  I hope you are still able to find something in my ramblings to enjoy.  

This was a very good day!  We awoke this morning after “suffering” thru the night with a fire going in the fireplace.  We had to leave a window open so we could do it… we both love a fire!  We slept late, watched the news, read the papers and drank way too much coffee this morning.  The motel has a wonderful continental breakfast so we took advantage of that before packing up the Jeep. 

We didn’t go far but only drove across the street to Canon Beach where we spent most of the morning walking on the beach.  Then we decided to take the Three Capes Scenic Loop which took care of the rest of the morning and well into the afternoon.  One of the neat things we saw on this trek was the largest Sitka Spruce tree in the state of Oregon.  It was at the end of a fairly short hike and just as we were beginning to wonder if it was going to be worth it, we walked over a knoll and there it was.  This was an old growth section of forest and the trees in it were rather large and impressive already but this tree was breathtaking.  It stands 144 feet tall, has a 15 ½ foot diameter and a 48 foot circumference! It is estimated to be 750 to 800 years old.  All I could think about as I stood there peering up into the large limbs overhead was “just think how many different people this tree has seen over 800 years!” 

From there it was on to a few more short hikes and drives thru small fishing villages and a few dairy farms as well.  Around every turn or over a hill brings another breathtaking view.  About 2:00 pm we arrived in Pacific City and one of our favorite restaurants, Pelican Pub & Brewery.  After a delicious meal we slowly made our way down the coast stopping frequently to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific ocean and the unseasonably mild temperatures.  One nice stop, which we have made several times was at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. 

Just a short drive further south and we made it to our planned destination of Yachats, OR.  Luck was with us again and we were able to get our favorite room at the Yachats Inn which is on the southwest corner with two corner windows facing the ocean (about 100 feet away), and a fireplace!  As I sit here typing, we have had a fire going for about two hours, we watched a nice sunset and had a light supper and Dodger and Paris are lying next to me on the couch as Charles reads to me about some potential places to visit tomorrow.

We are well tonight and hope you all are too!

Peace, Hope & Love,

Donna, Charles, Paris & Dodger