July 24, 2006

Vacation Blog: Exploring

cloudy

Yesterday, we explored part of the country that my spouse and children have never seen before. We saw tall cliffs, historic lighthouses, and beaches tucked into little coves. On one rocky beach, we listened to the rattling noise the waves made as they shifted piles of rounded rocks back and forth. We climbed down to ledges to feel the spray of waves as they came crashing against rock. We saw sea lions lying in the sun and listened to their characteristic bark – and then drove inland to see the darlingtonia, a lovely translucent green plant that lures insects to a murky death.

waterandrock

I find it hard to resist any beach, hiking trail, or scenic vista – but after a whole morning of stopping every mile, the teenagers began complaining that it might be nice to stay in the car for more than a few minutes at a time. They were still protesting that I had gotten them up at dawn, even though I kept explaining that it should not have felt like dawn because our bodies were still on east coast time. Spouse pulled out his secret weapon, a CD that contained everything from Barry Manilow to David Cassidy, and tortured the teenagers with sappy seventies music until they were begging to stop and get out of the car again.

And once out of the car, they could not resist exploring yet another combination of rock and water.

exploring

With-a-Why and Boy in Black go off exploring.

31 comments:

Jennifer (ponderosa) said...

Welcome to the other coast, jo(e) and family!

see-through faith said...

wonderful wonderful pics

Anonymous said...

Ah, you're in my part of the world! (Roughly). Welcome - I hope you enjoy the rocky beaches. I hope you're able to run into some tide pools at low tide.

Kathryn said...

That is stunningly beautiful, Jo(e). Thank you for taking us on holiday with you...I realised I'm building a kind of fantasy summer holiday in the States, entirely based on yours. Ummm. I guess I'll just have to savour the short bursts that we manage...after all, its a small country, so I should be able to enjoy in proportion.

Peter said...

Delightful, Jo(e). And yes, sappy '70s music as a weapon of psychological terror on teenagers...

RageyOne said...

Beautiful photos!

BeachMama said...

Gorgeous photos! Definately a part of your country I haven't seen before either, but would definately love to one day.

Inside the Philosophy Factory said...

I was there with my debate team -- soggy pants and sandy shoes were the order of the day... and a good time was had by all. It is someplace I want to go back to over and over -- as I had a hard time keeping the van moving for more than 5 minutes!

Rebecca said...

I heart scenic vistas and pictures of them, thanks. I bet that picture of your boys will be one of their best memories for the rest of their lives. What a fabulous vacation.

Anonymous said...

I love that first shot!

Yankee, Transferred said...

The photo of the boys is stunning.
Thanks for the ride.

Yankee, Transferred said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Chip said...

beautiful photos! I love that kind of coastline, rough and rugged, rocky, waves smashing into the rocks.

Raehan said...

Hi Jo(e)! I found my way over here via Catherine a few weeks ago and am just now digging into your old posts. Just wanted to let you know who this particular stalker is. I'm a nice stalker, or at least non-threatening.

Looks like you had an amazing time.

I have two very small kids and am hoping to have one more someday. I love your beautiful writing because it gives me a lot to hope for/look forward to.

Scrivener said...

Great shots of the coast! So ... you did remember to take some dramamine before that drive this time, right?

Honeybee said...

Want to know something strange? The last vacation my family took, just the six of us, was to California, in July. I grew up very close to Snowstorm city.

Hope you're all having a great time out here! We turned up the heat for you!

skookumchick said...

Wow, it looks fab. I can smell the salty spray...

Marie said...

Stunning photos!!! (I'll bet I know all the words to those songs...)

Anonymous said...

You're in my favorite part of the world! Awesome. Truly awesome place. Enjoy!

um yeah said...

Thanks for sharing those beautiful photos.

landismom said...

Great pictures! Wow, that looks like so much fun.

Anonymous said...

Amazing pics! Makes me want to pack up and go on vacation right now!

Anonymous said...

hey.
i was just surfing around.
mmyeah.
you seem cool.
-heidi

Jane Dark said...

Wow -- you made good time in the car. I'm impressed. Thanks for the photos!

Silver Creek Mom said...

Luverly!

I love that you are blogging while vacationing.

Hugs

jo(e) said...

I hadn't intended to blog while on vacation, but I keep waking up really early because my body has stayed on east coast time. So I've written a few blog posts while my family (who seem unaffected by the time change) are sleeping. And there seems to be free wireless all over the place on this coast.

And Scrivener -- I did remember to take dramamine. I didn't get sick even once.

Liz Miller said...

Beautiful! So glad you weren't sick this time!

Teri said...

these are the beaches where we scattered my mom's ashes 8 months ago. It looks much sunnier now...and your pictures are better than mine...thank you for these. say hi to my mom in the ocean for me if you go back over there.

And you need to visit the Tillamook dairy "factory" and watch them make cheese. Then you need to buy some cheese (sharp cheddar is the best, I think) and eat some ice cream. they have great ice cream. :-)

Erin said...

So stunning. I've never visited these places.

Gannet Girl said...

Such an incredible coastline!

luc said...

anybody here