Tuesday, July 28, 2009

I Heart Oregon (Part II)





Saturday morning we drove to the coast. From my parents' driveway to the sandy shore of the pacific was about two hours and ten minutes. The drive between was magnificent; we were dizzy with the intake of so much beauty. The temperature dropped fifty five degrees en route. We didn't pass a Chili's or a Chipotle or a Best Buy or a Cheesecake Factory. We did pass several road-side fruit stands. In time-warped little towns. Even a U-Pick flower farm. Rows and rows of cheerful blossoms. I swooned. We drove through Jedediah Smith State Park. Redwood giants so tall we had to stick our necks out the car window to behold the canopy. Tree trunks as big around as our master bedroom. I had forgotten what it felt like to be speechless at the sublimity of nature. I was reminded.

When we got to Nana and Grandpa's funny little green trailer on the coast, we were greeted by the most exquisite hydrangeas I've ever seen. The need to stop at the u-pick flower farm on the way home vanished in an instant.





The day had all the trappings of perfection: fog, rolling waves, squaking gulls, hooded sweatshirts. I napped, all the way into subconsciousness, on the warm sand. Henry delighted himself almost to delirium with the foamy surf and the abundant rocks. When evening came, we roasted marshmallows over a crackling pile of driftwood.

And then we drove home, hydrangea blooms draped gently across our belongings, and slept in our own beds. Thank you for your gracious hospitality, Nana, Grandpa Darren, Kyle Sascha and Mikayla - we adore you all.

If given the chance, I would relive the day over, and over, and over again. I loved it, every whit.

8 comments:

  1. Sounds wonderful! Parker told me yesterday that he wants to live where Henry's grandma lives. Random. Or at least I thought it was until hearing this.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love hydrangeas. And after just returning from a trip to Norther CA, I know that I need to spend more time in the north west. Loved every minute.

    So glad for your happy times!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a perfect day! And such a beautiful picture of you and Nate. We miss you guys!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have a feeling that this could be like a 27 part series. (Couldn't it?) I heart Oregon too! And those hydrangeas! Beautiful. I am glad you are having such a nice trip. Hug me a tree.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I want to live that day! Sounds like perfection.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I loved this gentle reminder to appreciate nature and its beauty. Hope you have many more days just like that to come!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hydrangeas are no doubt my favorite flower. They are magnifique!
    Your description of the coast makes me happy inside. It is such a lovely place.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Looks beautiful! It makes me want to live there!

    ReplyDelete