Here I Am

In Newport, Oregon

I feel splendid this morning. I woke up with a smile on my face!

But yesterday…….yesterday

I was really tired. Eyes blurry, shoulders sagging tired. I never pictured this kind of tired when I fantasized about this journey. There is just so much to see and do. I have a hard time stopping to rest. I don’t want to miss anything. I may not be back this way again.

What I needed was a restful evening. I was committed to finding a nice clean, relatively new room somewhere, with a tub and a view. I didn’t want to camp out again even though there are innumerable beautiful places to set up a tent in this part of Oregon. I just needed to be warm and comfortable and sleep a little longer. My biggest complaint regarding camping lately is the windy evening and the chilly misty mornings without a hot cup of coffee!

I stopped at several places along Highway 101 while traveling beside the Pacific Ocean. I checked out rooms. (Suzi and Mike, if you are reading this, remember our vacation in Oregon few years ago and the search for motel rooms. You know what I mean, don’t you?) I had faith that fate would lead me to just the right place. I would stop on impulse when someplace seemed promising. I even turned around a few times because I thought I passed what might have been “the place.”. But I wasn’t finding a spot that felt right, where I could recharge. I was getting weary and worried because it was already later than I usually stop, Most days I hit the road about 6:00 AM when I am camping, because, as I said, it has been cold and I don’t have hot coffee until I go out and get it somewhere else. So by 3 or 4 o’clock, I am done in.

Anyway, I was both worried and confident about fate leading me around on a wild goose chase or leading me to the right place. The later it got the more concerned I was that I was being too picky. It was Saturday and vacant rooms were few. And I was “Oh so tired.” Anyone who has felt this way knows that one sometimes ends up overspending for any old place just to lay their weary head down.

Thankfully, luck was with me. I am writing this from my room at the Whaler Inn in Newport. I have a porch with a view of the Ocean, a tub, hot coffee at all times and the inn is clean and bright. Outside my sliding glass doors is a landscaped dry creek bed of beautiful rocks. This was the perfect place! It even has an indoor pool and a hot tub and a Continental breakfast. And all for only $75 dollars a night. Thank-you. I needed this respite.

With my feet up I spent two hours watching Groundhog Day on television. I always though that movie has some sort of message about making the most of each day that you have been given. I think I am. It was a first rate evening. A walk along the beach, a movie, wine, a long bath, a long sleep. Life is good!

One of the advantages of traveling solo is that you can make decisions without recrimination. There is always a risk that when you decide to pass up this restaurant or that motel or this campground for the hope of a better one down the road, that there is no better one down the road. With my ex-husband I’d feel guilty for pressing on and then settling for something less. But alone, it just doesn’t matter. No one else is involved, no one else is disappointed, no one else is there to say, “See, I told you we should have stopped back there.” Interestingly, so far, I really haven’t made any bad decisions, or I don’t think I have, which is just as good.

I will be leaving the sea today, heading inland. I like it here by the sea. As I headed up the coast yesterday, I was tired and thought it would be easier to find a place for the night along the Interstate so in Florence I headed inland, then changed my mind, turned around. and decided to spend a few more hours traveling north along the coast. I really really hate to head inland. But it’s time.

Before I leave, I have a few words about my visit to Oregon.

My very favorite fruit is cherries and cherries are currently in season and available everywhere. At home I ration myself because they are usually so expensive and I am usually so frugal. But I just paid a buck for a basket at a road side stand and I feel extravagant. Driving along the Oregon Coast eating fresh Bing cherries is akin to a drive through paradise. Did I feel good or what?

Another thing I like about Oregon. A person is not allowed to pump their own gas. I stopped at a station to fill up and whoa! Somebody was there to pump gas for me. I am sure I looked a little befuddled, ready to pump gas and having someone stop me. And to top it all off with whipped cream and a cherry, he cleaned the windshield, too. Just like when I was “younger.” I always liked that plan better than the do it yourself one. And gas was cheaper than in California! It seems so much more civilized when someone else pumps your gas and you just hand over the credit card. Listen up, Florida. (I will be sure to fill up the tank before leaving this state.)

There has been a lot of mist (fog?) at the shore, occasionally obliterating the view of the ocean and rocks. For the most part, it stays off the highway. Convenient, huh? At times, it requires faith to know that the deep sea is right off to my left even though I cannot see it at all. I thought at times that it must be a beauty though, because I’d passed signs that pointed to the left that said things like “The House Rock The Arch Rock, and The Whale Rock.” They would have been fun to see…….if I could have!

The wow factor! That’s my phrase to describe the California/Oregon coast. I am filled up to the top with beautiful sights, overflowing with nature’s magnificence, overwhelmed with appreciation for this world I live in. I don’t know how to fit any more amazing sights into my head and heart. They are full to the top. I will have to jump around a while to shuffle the stuff down to make room for more. So much WOW!

The mornings are fleece cold. The afternoons are short sleeve warm.

And now I will make a confession. I am a rock junky. I have picked up a lot of pebbles, rocks, and stones, but I collect more. And they are just plain ole worthless smooth gorgeous rocks. I want more. I promise myself not to gather anymore but I do and now the floor of my back seat looks like a little Pacific beach. I guess it is a good thing I am heading inland where the rocks are less tempting. Florida has few rocks and limestone comes in pretty much one color, white. Boring! In a way, I have rocks in my head too! In a good sort of way.

So OK, after writing this and packing up, I head to Seattle.

It’s Sunday, isn’t it? May something or other? Who cares?