We arrived home around 5:30 pm. Most of the trip the last two days was spent along or near the Pacific Ocean. At one point I drove in a steady and often turbulent rainstorm.
After I took the photo of the ocean, I looked across the two-lane coastal highway and saw some goats with two babies. This one was the youngest, and as I shot the photo the mother corralled her baby and guided it away from me and down the hill out of sight.
We spent last night right on the ocean in some rustic lodging that had fireplaces. It was the perfect ending of our trip. Now we are back thinking about obligations as well as routines.
… a nice transition in thought…..
It was indeed a nice transition from one of many people and celebration to one of solitude amidst pastoral and natural beauty, the best kind for rest and rejuvenation.
The weather CA is getting, I don’t doubt the weather outside [the car] was frightful! Was it the same in OR? I am glad the wedding date was between wet days!
I love the fireplace picture. And so fitting for my next idea for my log cabin, the all important fireplace. thank you for taking that picture!
It was exactly 24 hours that the rain started after the wedding. We felt very fortunate. The weather was quite wild all the way up California. Once we entered Oregon the rain subsided and we had very little the remainder of the trip. The fireplace could definitely be one you would find in a log cabin.
I hope those winding roads helped you to unwind a little all the way back. That top photo reminds me so much of the view from a house I lived in once in Elk, California. The house sat right on the edge of the ocean, with a tiny backyard, a rickety old fence, and then nothing but a plunge of rocks down to the great ocean, and the sound of the ocean, all day and all night, and the fogs rolling in. And what a great photo you got of the mother goat and her babe! Well, I’m glad you are safely home! xo Kari
I think Deb and I are trying to place this house in our minds as we surely have seen it at some point in our coastal travels. I think it sounds quite lovely, and the sounds and atmosphere enveloping and memorable as well as hard to leave, but I am sure you had a solid reason for doing so. It is so nice to be home and back to a routine and my morning walks that I depend on to start my day.
Beautiful photos! Off to go tease Kari about Elk (nicely of course).
Yes, Deb, when I read about her connection to Elk, you immediately came to mind. I think we should have a Mendocino/Elk reunion.
That would be fun! Kari and I have probably walked by (well in my case toddled) in some point in our lives. We were living in the area at the same time.
I don’t think this is simply a coincidence that we are all bound in some way by that coastal area. Yes, it would be fun to plan a blogging convention there and anyone who wants to attend is invited. We could have bonfires on the beach and talk in person for hours I am sure!
Phyllis and Deb,
The house in Elk where I lived one summer was a two-story house right on Highway 1, between the highway and the ocean. Just next door, to the north, was a very wonderful funky old cafe, with home-cooked food, home-grown, and wholesome. To the south, a very short ride on my bike, was a mom-and-pop grocery store.
I wrote about the house in an old post here:
http://www.writingupastorm.com/writing-up-a-storm/2009/09/gypsy-caravan.html
Oh, do let me know if you know this house! I wonder if the house, or the cafe, or the grocery store are still there? xo Kari
I just visited your blog and read this old post. I find I actually can travel in my mind to where it is. I love that little town. It is so unique and well-kept and contained. The highway down there is a bit treacherous in spots because it is so close to the ocean, but it is worth the trip down there to that area. I love some of the homes too up in the hills with those pastoral settings.
I don’t have any memories of this area Kari. I generally don’t get any further south than Little River. My mom though said she went to school with the children from the “mom and pop.”
Thank you for the beautiful photos of a place I’ve never seen. Just lovely. Glad you made it back home safe and very sound!