A few weeks ago I was able to head up to Portland and visit my mom. It was only for 5 days, but it was such a great opportunity to see my mom and spend some time together. During my visit, mom and I headed over to the coast (Hillsboro is only an hour from the coast, SO lucky for them - would be there every weekend if I lived where they live). We stayed a few nights enjoying the beach/ocean, all the little shops, and a few neighboring towns. I absolutely love the Oregon Coast and it was fun to be there in winter for the first time and it was even more special to be there with my mom!!
One afternoon we drove to Cannon Beach and came across a huge herd of elk just off the exit to Cannon Beach.
We had lunch at Mo's and walked down to the beach for a view of Haystack Rock.
Another day we ventured up to Astoria. Of course mom had to be taken across the Astoria Bridge! She was just a little freaked out, so I had her re-create her expression after we found a place to park and it could be captured safely.
I'm not very good about remembering specifics of historical sites, but this was a church on the Washington side of the Columbia. There was information about the Chinook and a group of early settlers.
We had to go visit some Astoria Sea Lions. They were SO loud! Ellie loved the short video clip I sent to her so she could share it with her pet, Biscuit - baby sea lion.
We also spent some time touring an old mansion of a former, prestigious Astorian. At dinner ater that evening, mom surprised me by informing me of the ghosts she felt while we were in the home. She has always been sensitive to such phenomenon. We learned in the museum by the mansion, two of the residents passed away in their bedrooms while residing in the home.
Mom has become a late sleeper, so I took advantage
and enjoyed a few incredible "sea level" morning runs.
One morning I found a TON of whole sand dollars. One of my favorite things to do is collect them, but then what do you do. So to adhere to my pleasure I collected some and left them on a stump, perhaps for another passerby, or the Pacific Ocean maybe?
On our last afternoon at the coast, Tricia & Shantey joined us. Lucky for us it was a BEAUTIFUL, SUNNY DAY! We headed up to nearby Gearhart and enjoyed some time on the beach, in the sun. It was such a great time for us to all spend together. I am so grateful to have spent these days with my mom. It was fun to reminisce and to just talk about everything. I'm also grateful for the time with my sister and having the opportunity for us to all make special memories together.
Although the stores were on their "winter" schedule, meaning they closed at 5 or 6, we benefited from some awesome winter clearance sales! We also had to gather some souvenirs to bring back to Ethan and Ellie. They were so excited to have their "specialty" chocolates that looked like cute animals. Ellie saved one of them for a few days, finally when I told her she needed to eat it before it went back she took one bite and then was in tears . . . . . ."I actually didn't want to eat him. He was so cute!!" She was seriously upset and I felt so bad for her. I told her we would be sure to go get another one when we all go over to visit grandma, in the end she enjoyed the decadent chocolate (bittersweet).
No comments:
Post a Comment