Even though we are leaving for Prague in under two weeks (excuse me while I squeal for joy and/or throw up a little), we are now in Olympia, Washington, spending time with E’s family and our friends before we leave.
(Also it’s much cheaper to fly out of a big hub like Seattle!).
Right now everything is somewhat overwhelming and stressful (like packing! Every decision, down to underwear, suddenly seems monumental when you don’t know when you’ll be able to wash/find it again!) but we are trying to enjoy our last few weeks in the States.
This will include a visit to one of my favorite spots on Earth: the Oregon Coast! When I’m adult and all my dreams come true, I might just have a house on this coast. It’s not the sunniest area of the world–in fact it’s fairly cloudy or stormy most of the year, including the summer–but something about the green forests, the dramatic cliffs, and the ocean below just tugs at my heartstrings.
Perhaps it’s because I lived on this coast with my family for a few years in my early life. I’m not really sure, though, because we moved away when I was just three years old. Maybe I have subconscious memories of a fond time?
(Actually, my first memory I believe takes place on the Oregon coast. It’s not a great memory, though–I lost my favorite toy horse in the waves, which seems to have been fairly traumatizing for my three-year-old self as I remember this moment so clearly!).
Anyway, the point is, I love this coast and I’m excited for the few hours we can carve out to be there!
I love the coastline, but there are also some amazing towns on this coastal drive–like Cannon Beach! Some are cute, some are quirky, some are a little rundown, some are dedicated to tourism, some are dedicated to the fish in industry.
If you go, plan to spend a leisurely day driving along the coast, stopping for many majestic moments as you go (if you wish). Even in high tourist season, it feels uncrowded there (although I’ve rarely been on a truly sunny day!).
I love getting in times at some of my favorite places before I jet off to many unknown places, people, and things. It’s a little scary, all of this unknown–like not knowing when I will come back and see these people, animals, places or things again–but it eases the transition, somehow.
^^I was not lying about the stormy weather!
Do you try to see all of your favorite places/people/things before you move? Or do you just want to soak it up and prepare for the next step?
I think I like to keep it busy!!
Linking up with Bonnie, Kaelene, Sammy and Van!
Wow that coastline looks almost european! It’s gorgeous I didn’t know Oregon had such an amazing coastline! I think I’m a bit the same, I only lived for about 2 years on the coast and in my wildest dreams i definitely have a seaside house!
I know, it’s gorgeous right? Who knew, Oregon?? I’m dying to buy a house on the coast too…however I think to afford it I will need to buy a serious fixer-upper 😉
It’s not that bad, I live on the southern Oregon coast. I just bought a house this summer – 3 bed/2 bath, newly remodeled, on an acre across the street from the ocean for just $192k.
Wow that’s amazing! Congratulations 🙂 I hope I can pay around that someday, it seems fairly affordable!
The first few pictures look like Thailand or something but definitely not how I’d imagined Oregon 😉 the stormy weather however is just what I expected but I love that! Makes me want to spend the whole day in bed, reading a book and looking out of the window 🙂 I guess I’m the total opposite of you when it comes to the big move. At least at the moment I feel like I hold my breath until I finally moved. I don’t really enjoy my surroundings here anymore but I didn’t quite understand that I’m actually moving in under 3 weeks either 😀
I think that’s why I love stormy weather too–I love to look at it out of a window while I’m snug by the fire! You move really soon! We do too, it feels totally unreal…and I’m starting to wish I hadn’t crammed in so much stuff. I’m kind of tired lol! Good luck with your move–can’t wait to hear about your new life 🙂
Thank you! Good luck for you too! Prague sure will be a blast 🙂
I hope so! 🙂 and back at you!!
I LOVE this part of the country! So gorgeous and cannon beach is so pretty! Good luck packing! I’m on a plane now and each if our bags only met weight limits with about 1 pound of give! I re-packed about 5 times! Crazy stressful, I hear you on monumental decisions!!
Cannon Beach is the best! Packing still is not going as well as I’d hoped haha…it’s really hard to decide what to bring! I’m glad to hear that you were under the weight limits…you’re my inspiration! And you made it there alive and you’re settling in! 🙂
I didn’t want to see everyone before I left. I was awful at goodbyes and found it all far far too difficult, but they wanted to see me, so I let them and just suffered, but perhaps it was a good thing really and I am so pleased I have managed to bring my friends and family here with me in a way. Whenever I go back to visit I am the same, I want to pretend life is normal at home! Such a difficult time. If you ever want to bend my ear, that is totally fine!
Aww you’re so sweet! I am realizing that I’m awful at goodbyes, too…I’m really happy that I saw everyone I could but ugh! Not knowing when I’ll see them again! I love that you feel your friends and families are with you in small ways 🙂 thanks for your support and understanding!
Is that Haystack Rock?! Was there once and loved it. You’re going to be bananas about Prague; look me up if you need a blogger friend 🙂 Good luck with the move prep!
It is Haystack Rock near Cannon Beach! Pretty unforgettable, right? I will definitely look you up, I will need all the friends (and advice) I can get 😉 thanks so much!!!
My family is at Canyon Beach right now, it is such a beautiful place. I like to see basically everyone before I left!
I love that place! And I love to see everyone although sometimes that makes it harder to say goodbye…but I’d much rather see them 🙂