Home Again

We just arrived home about and hour ago from spending all day yesterday, last night and this morning at the coast. Why is it that coming home is both disappointing and relaxing all at the same time? We had a beautiful stay at the Fireside Motel in Yachats, (said Ya-Hots for any non-Oregonians), and visited the nearby towns of Newport and Waldport. Our room had a fireplace and jacuzzi tub, and a gorgeous view of the Pacific. Because I was afraid to leave Max at home, and didn't want to try to find someone to leave him with, we had to book a pet-friendly room and take him just about everywhere with us...this turned out to be pretty exhausting and we were woken up at 6:00 AM this beautiful Sunday morning. Really?? Anyone who is in the market for a German Shepherd, seriously, message me, lol, as this dog may soon need to find a home he is better suited to. We need a lazy dog. Where do I find one that will walk next to us off-leash or on and be calm, and will again calmly curl up at our feet while we read books from our travels to used bookstores? I want one of those, or maybe none at all. To every stranger that complimented how pretty our dog is, we wanted to say, "He's free, here you go!" Max is gorgeous, tan with just the black on his face and tips of his fur, but a 1 year-old shepherd is maybe not the best choice for us!

Anyhow, back to the weekend. We walked along Keady Wayside in Waldport and saw little harbor seals everywhere, popping their heads up to greet us and then resurfacing somewhere else. We ate at a very cool pizza parlor there, and enjoyed some of the trails at Cape Perpetua, which gives a great view of the coastline, as well as has an inlet called Devil's Churn where the waves come in and crash against the rocks. This morning, after a soak in the tub, we enjoyed a walk along the path outside our hotel. There were whales out in the water, and they would breach and spout water every few minutes! We walked down the rocks to the tide-pools, and then headed to Newport to Nye Beach for browsing of used book-stores, glass art exhibits, and lunch with a view. Max did not behave on Nye Beach at all as we hoped he would. The few minutes he got to be free of the leash, he ran off and peed right on a sandcastle two young kids were building, much to our chagrin. I will admit, Barrett and I both had dog envy as we watched other dogs stay next to their people, play in the surf and well, not be obnoxious and hyper.

At home again, Barrett reads next to me as I type and upload pictures of our latest adventure. The dog lays in the sun outside, and we drink coffee to energize for the return of our boys and dinner with my parents tonight. Home again.