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Monday, August 14, 2023

Well ...

Well, clearly I didn’t take the laptop so I could blog and comment on blogs, and I didn’t use my phone except for pictures, boarding passes for flights, car and hotel reservations  and directions to restaurants, so I really was unplugged and I really loved it. And that made the trip all the more peaceful and relaxed, even with plane delays both going and coming home; peaceful.

And that was the trip. We had a nice visit with my Dad … Carlos hadn’t been out since the pandemic ended … and we enjoyed our first real vacation together in a couple of years … other than weekends away and such.

We strolled the old town of Newport; it’s quite touristy but I love the views of the old bridge, even from underneath. Strolling through town I saw these two figures outside of Ripley's Believe It or Not! … or as I called it, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not They Still Exist. But I did like the lion and the gorilla outside the building seemingly crafted out of tires.

And of course you have to see, and hear, the sea lions in the bay. During a particularly bad storm their little sunbathing spot had been damaged and the town fixed them up a new perch almost instantly. They may be loud, but the people want what the people want.

Even better, though, was a glass of Dead Guy Pilsner and a bowl of Clam Chowder at the Rogue Brewery overlooking the marina. We always stop in there for a beer or three and a good lunch.

We took morning and afternoon walks along the beaches up and down the coast; the water’s a wee bit cold, but the days were mostly sunny and cool, and the sea is good what ails you. In that last photo is a teeny tiny view of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse …

And there’s the lighthouse up close; still in operation though unmanned these days, it’s sits in a spot called Cape Foulweather … doesn’t that sound lovely. The coastline is especially rugged—for people—but the birds seem to love perching on the rocks; along one side of the Lighthouse you can hike down to the beach for a totally different view.

And we’ll take a moment for the I Don’t Like People segment of the tour. The lighthouse has designated paths and trails, all fenced in to keep humans from trampling on the native vegetation. 

But please to explain these fools standing off the path to take pictures, having walked over this sign to do so? Seriously, I don’t like many people.

Another scenic peaceful sight was the walks along the Willamette River, where we had a couple of drinks, a nosh of two, and then relaxed in a beautiful garden of native plants and flowers at the water’s edge. The geese were out that day, heads turning in unison if they thought someone might have some breadcrumbs. 

I love this message on a lamp post … ‘You have five days,’ it said, though someone edited it to say, ‘You haven’t five days.’ As it turned out we hadn’t five days left, but just one last night and another dreamy cock-a-tale at Twigs Bistro in Vancouver: I give you the Lunazul Reposado Jalapeno Cilantro Margatini.

What a way to end a trip … hic.

So, we’re back, and getting back to the home routines of animals and lawns and life. All in all, it was a beautiful peaceful fun trip, and so glad we got a way.

42 comments:

  1. Glad you had an enjoyable vacation together! Newport looks like a lovely place, especially the sea lions' sunbathing perch. And hey, I featured Rogue's "Dead Guy Ale" in my last Full Moon Altar post --
    https://shewhoseeks.blogspot.com/2023/08/august-full-moon-altar-sekhmet.html

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    1. I love Dead Guy; we'd had the ale many times but this was the first time we had the pilsner and it was great with the chowder ... or the chowder was great with the beer?

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  2. Looks like a wonderful trip, Bob. I love the views of the water. How peaceful and beautiful! Welcome back!

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    1. Thanks. It was a nice, relaxing, fun, funny time.

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  3. Anonymous9:41 AM

    the dog's mother
    Very happy you had a good time.
    Great collection of pictures.
    We have spent a lot of time
    down that way. Loves the
    sea lions.
    xoxo :-)

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    1. It is a nice vacation spot because we got the best of both parts ... the coast and the city.
      xoxo

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  4. Welcome back, Bobulah.

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  5. Awesome!
    Unplugging is good and necessary. And I just love those views of the beaches. And the lighthouse!!!
    And you know that hell IS other people, no?

    XOXO

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    1. I agree with the unplugged and the beaches and other people ... as I said to Carlos several times last week, "This is why I hate people."
      xoxo

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  6. I absolutely love seeing all your pictures, because when you get back there you always talk about this place so it's nice to see it. I especially love the beach and the lighthouse pictures- stunning. I've only recently started getting into Lighthouse as I noticed. And welcome back. When I go on vacation I refuse to go online or blog, email. When I go on vacation I go on vacation and I unplug. You and your mind both need it.

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    1. We've been to a few lighthouses along the Oregon coast and all are so different, and in such gorgeous spots. And the beaches were gorgeous and sunny for the most part; water too cold to swim, but great for morning walks.
      And the unplugging was the best thing ever!

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  7. Unplugging is a good thing, sweetpea! And it's even better when you make a conscious decision to do so. Glad your visit with Your Dad was grand! Glad you and Carlos are back home safe and sound! xoxo

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    1. It was nicer than I thought, without the technology. So tranquil and nice; it was out first true vacation without involving a health scare, in a couple of years.

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  8. Welcome back!!

    The world is still spinning and the Big Fat Orange One has one foot in jail. Is it nice to unplug and just relax. Glad that Carlos had a change of scenery. You can't keep that man locked up for ever.

    Now I love me a good bowl of clam chowder. The pictures are great. Always wanted to live in a lighthouse. I gather Dad is well.

    Well, on with life.

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    1. It was a lovely getaway and a nice unplugged ten days. Everyone is well and happy and rested.

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  9. Although touristy, I do enjoy Newport and also love the lighthouses along the Oregon coast. It looks like you had a marvelous time!

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    1. Newport was very touristy this time of year, so we made our obligatory stroll, and then did beaches and out of the way spots.

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  10. I envy you going to Vancouver; I lived there for 6 months when I was a teenager and loved the city. We went back 6 years later and it was still beautiful. Did you go to Stanley Park? My baby sister loved the "toting poles" there.

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    1. This was Vancouver, Washington, not British Columbia; Vancouver, BC is very nice though!

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  11. Gorgeous shots of the ocean! There is something so peaceful about being near the water.
    The gorilla and lion are interesting. I'm not sure I'd want either displayed in my yard but I like the idea of recycling tires.

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    1. I, too, like recycling tires, but I might like a smaller scale animal ... ? And I'm with you about the ocean; it's so peaceful and calming.

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  12. Welcome back. By your post and your photos, it sounds like you had a great time. I am hoping to travel to Oregon in the next couple of years. It is on my bucket list!

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    1. Oregon, especially Portland, is one of our favorite spots to visit.

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  13. What a beautiful part of your country. I am most impressed.

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    1. It is one of our favorite spots to visit; the city is lovely, and the mountains and coastline are gorgeous.

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  14. Welcome back. I'd have sad that sooner but... well, it seems as though the indictments arrived a day early.

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    1. It's the best welcome home gift we could receive!

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  15. aussieguy11:10 PM

    Welcome back to reality? Or whatever we want to call this? Anyway, glad you had a great and relaxing trip.

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    1. aussieguy11:12 PM

      Oh yeah, some days I don't feel like "people-ing", as others can really piss me off!

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    2. There are days when I hide from people.

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  16. Such beautiful scenery. I do love the ocean. And lightouses. Does anyone else see a "resting" lion head and paw in the rock face of picture 14?

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    1. I saw that too, River! I'm glad I'm not the only one.

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    2. And now that you said it, I can't unsee it!

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  17. Welcome back. We were good and played nicely while you were away, so what did you bring us?

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  18. Welcome home, we look forward to more highlights of the trip.

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    1. As much as I do like going away, I much prefer coming home.

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  19. Welcome home! How nice for the sea lions. So do I or do I not have five days left?

    Love,
    Janie

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  20. No one deserved it more. Glad you had a good time together, and you got home safe, and Pops is alright.

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  21. Andrew sent me a link to this post of yours since I was in Newport yesterday. It's not that far from where I live in Oregon.

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  22. Glad you're back. Looks like a wonderful trip! The coastline is really amazing out there -- those secluded coves and wide, wide beaches.

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