Whew.

1. It’s been a whirlwind last few weeks. My emotions are all over the place, and we have kind of been all over the place. Like Seattle and Olympia, Washington:

2. And Oregon:

3. And even California!

4. No matter how many times I go abroad, I never seem to get more efficient at packing. Or timely! We leave alarmingly soon and I still have clothes scattered all over the place. It also never seems to get easier to decide what to pack. It is for a year, but I also have to remind myself that we will be able to find, most likely, whatever we need in Prague. But what can I say…I’ve never been there before and I like to be prepared. Like, any-illness-any-weather-any-occasion-any-mood kind of prepared. Which is not conducive to the small amount of luggage we are bringing!

5. It’s just hitting me that I’ve said goodbye to all of my stateside family and friends for the foreseeable future (well, at least six months until a possible visitor!) and my emotions are going out of the control. I think I’m really, really fun to be around right now! Hopefully my blog will also be more fun to read in a week or so, too ;).

Linking up with Lauren!

Catch ya from PRAGUE!

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(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!

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But, a few times a year, the town is changes. The enchantment lifts. The sun shines. The water is cold but not like ice, almost refreshing. If you’re lucky, you’ll visit on a day like this. We were lucky that, in June, it was this gorgeous.

In Cannon Beach, these days are rare.

That doesn’t mean that, if you go and the charm is in place, with the mystical shroud is surrounding the town, you’ll find it any less magical.

{Cannon Beach is on Highway 101 on the coast of Oregon State, here in the United States. I’m sure there are buses but it’s easiest to have a car, to give you time to enjoy other spots on the coast and the far reaches of the small town. The beach is famous for its iconic rock, Haystack Rock. You’ll see E, my sister and her boyfriend in the above photos.}

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