Hard to believe that a state park has a “deluxe-pet-friendly cabin” located on what has to be the most beautiful perch above the Oregon Coast.   But it’s true.  

All the Spring-Breakers had gone home, so we had Cape Lookout almost all to ourselves except for a charming family in a nearby cabin.  And there was a plethora of retired folks several miles down the road in their million-dollar RV rigs.  I think they were too busy playing cards to venture down our way.

Lots of walks on the pristine beach, amazing sunsets, a sliver of a moon peeking through the trees, waterfalls,  and monumental rock formations  all took our breath away.

I have found the Pacific Coast to be wild and blustery all the way from San Diego to Astoria.  It always amazes me when visitors from other parts of the country come expecting to find a warm swimming hole.  It’s not Virginia Beach, for heaven’s sake!

When the tide is out, it leaves a wide beach of hard, clean sand and beautiful shells. Families come down from their tent campsites and dig up clams for chowder made over campfires.

There are also many interesting plants in the surrounding forest undergrowth.

Always the old school teacher, I can think of some very interesting scientific facts that could be illustrated with these.  It slips my mind what they’re called.  I’ll have to ask Elizabeth and add a footnote.  Roxie just seems to find them interesting on a purely canine level.

Equally amazing was the occurrence of so many sunny, rainless days on the coast and here in the valley as well while we were gone.  This permitted the painters to carry on with the facelift 1880 is getting.  Fun to return home to see so much progress.

It’s good to get away  — but coming home again is the very best.