I remember my high school theater teacher used to tell us that anytime we are ever at our wits end in life, to do whatever we could to get to the ocean and listen to the healing sounds of the waves that so closely imitate the breath of life. This was when I lived in Arizona, so driving to the beach was much more of a commitment than it is now from Portland (only about an hour away). No matter what is going on in your world, the ocean has the ability to bring you back to realizing what is important.
Even when you believe that there is absolutely nothing that needs fixing in your life, the sounds of the ocean still have the ability to create the sense of balance where you didn’t realize there was a lack of balance. I know several people who surf, windsurf, kite board and/or sail regularly and these people tend to have some of the most grounded and honest spirits of anyone I know. They are connected with the ebb and flow of life by learning to work with nature rather than against it.
These things came to mind as Josh and I sat on the windy, yet sunny beach in Manzanita the other weekend, listening to the waves and watching the surfers and kite boarders.
My mom and her long-time friend from grade school, Kathleen, met us in Manzanita where we enjoyed visiting together in the sunshine over wine and delicious sparkling water with limes (my new drink of choice) at Vino, followed by an overnight stay at the Inn at Manzanita, where each room has an oversized jacuzzi tub. If you’re lucky, you might even get a rubber ducky to complete the experience!
The next day, we took them to the famous film sites from The Goonies – Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach and the oldest settlement west of the Mississippi – Astoria, Oregon. We were met in Astoria by more grade-school friends of my mom’s (Josh and I thought it was so sweet that they have all kept in touch all of this time). Joining us also, was the wife of the recently retired Director of the Columbia River Maritime Museum, who walked us over to the museum after lunch. If you’ve never been there, it is quite an incredible place! I am in complete awe over the jobs of the brave River Pilots! If you can handle the cheesy adventure music in the background, check out the video below for a little history:
I joked with my mother that she had a whole entourage to travel with her these days, as once we were back in Portland, we were joined by my mom’s new boyfriend, Jim who came out from Tucson as well.
The rest of the week was filled with lots of activity, such as 4th of July celebrations (braving the crowds of the Blues Festival to get down to the waterfront to view the fireworks).
Lacey and Sterling at our 4th of July dinner on the waterfront
And rooftop drinks and appetizers at Departure in the warm sunshine.
You have beautiful people in your family. You all are gorgeous.