Seattle Trip (August ‘23) Part 2: The Oregon Coast
This is what I needed from this trip north. The Oregon Coast cleansed my spirit in a way that only nature can.
After following the river for the last hour, I turned along Hwy 101 and it wasn’t long until I saw her. The biggest blue beauty, the Pacific Ocean.
I stopped several times to enjoy her magnificence. Not only the view of the vastness of the water, but also the pull of her tides in the wind. A powerful dynamic happens at coastal shores. Enough energy to wipe a soul clean before going to receive my incredible family.
About half an hour from my campground, I found a spot to go for a little explore.
I walked along the sand and then balanced on pebbles and stones. Crossing a small stream got my feet wet enough that I didn’t care that my feet were wet. For better or worse, I was in my sandals. I think for better because it didn’t matter that they got wet. I took them off before I climbed on the rocks anyway, so it worked out well.
The tidepools were gorgeous. Seaweed was bright colors and everywhere. The anemones were vibrant even through the mineral filled waters. The clam bed were wide, covering the majority of the boulders.
I scouted a spot at the tidepools edge of a rock cluster and sat to take in the waves. The power of the ocean spray is like the splash of a blue whale with every tide. The water sprayed onto the rocks saturating me with salt. It felt purifying. I could breathe a little deeper. I moved a little further away from the edge of the waves and witnessed nature’s beauty for a while.
The cool sea air made me shiver. Thankful for the coolness, I remained on the rocks for a while longer. Watching the undulations of the sea, I could feel a calming of my own thoughts.
A lot of moving parts had to work together to get me to that rock. All I could feel in that moment was thankful. Glad to be here. Glad for the chance to catch my breath. Glad for the opportunity for adventure. Glad that I made a way to put actions behind my words when it comes to my priorities.
Sitting on those rocks, breathing the salt air, feeling the blustery breeze, I was entirely in the moment.
That is what I needed to transition my energy. That moment of separation. Peace. Contentment.
“Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.”
Feeling fulfilled with my explore by the ocean, I walk back to the car. This is Lu’s first big explore and she had been doing fabulously. When I reached the parking lot, I found a seagull staking it’s claim on top of Lu, my silver 2014 Subaru Impreza.
I laughed so hard! Especially since I caught it squawking at the car next to me when I arrived.
I figured as I approached Lu, the bird would fly away. I was wrong. He did not care. I got into the car and I could hear his feet tapping on the roof like the ravens landing on top of Moving Castle, my RV.
It was not until I started the car and began driving away did the bird leave my roof. Then it went to the next car in line. I laughed as I turned back on Hwy 101 to find my campground.
This campground had a pool and hot tub that I was really excited about. However, when I got there, the gal said that the hot tub was closed. The pool was still open, but I didn’t want to swim, I wanted to soak.
I decided to instead spend my time back on the Oregon Coast. I went down the road just about a quarter mile and stopped at Lost Creek State Park, one of the many lining the coast.
I walked just far enough to the south for the path down to no longer be visible in the fog. Probably about a quarter mile or so. I found a big rock to sit on and watch the ocean. I also witnessed a couple vultures eating on a carcass of some kind. I didn’t go closer to inspect. It was cool when they went up and perched on the trees on the cliffs. Then the ravens descended on the carcass. It was a beautiful expression of the cycle of nature.
Sitting on the rock and thinking felt like a very good use of time.
On the walk back I went slow. I was excited for the sunset, but it was socked out by the fog. I didn’t get wild colors, but I got wild winds!
I watched as families walked along the beach. A girl playing in the sand while her dad walked around with a metal detector. Several people with dogs, one running into the ocean. Peace came over me as I walked. I breathed in the salt air and exhaled any stress and stale energy.
Everywhere I go, especially along the water’s edge, I find nature shaped like hearts. The rocks along the cliffs of the beach stood out to me and filled my cup to overflowing.
I got back to my camp just as dark set in. I curled into my tent and slept soundly listening to the ocean.
The next morning I woke up. Tore down my camp. Found some coffee. And heading to Washington, ready to see Z and Steff. Thank you Oregon Coast, I am transformed with an open heart and an eager mind.
