My, how the scenery changes...

I have been to the coast of Oregon only one time before now. Back home, when one said they were going to the ocean, they would be crazy not to wear a tank top and shorts. Here in Oregon, you have to wear a few layers of warm clothes. Ten years ago, I wore a tank top and shorts in the middle of summer to the beach of Oregon and my, oh my, how it was cold. It is no wonder why that is all that I remember about it. This time, I was prepared. I wore jeans, waterproof hiking boots, a sweater, down feather vest, and a wind/water-proof jacket. Needless to say, I was warm.

So we headed out with Pluto, my dog, in my lap. We pointed the borrowed 1974 maroon Mercedes towards the coast and started driving. Along the way, we talked mostly of how blessed we are to have the chance to do this, while admiring the beautiful farmlands.

Along the way, we passed a few hundred geese. I could kick myself for not taking a picture, but at the time, I was so amazed that so many geese were all in one area like that. There must have been at least five hundred geese in an empty field by this large pond. It was unbelievable. Remember the swans in the movie The Notebook? It was exactly like that, except ten times more!!

Then we drive onto the indian reservation. There was a casino there and those people must have thought they were in Vegas or something. Everyone from that town and the two adjacent ones must have been there gambling. We will have to stop one day and see what all the commotion was about because that must be the place to go. I'm not a gambler. Though people watching is a hobby of mine, and I would love to see the ones in that place. 

The scenery started to change the closer we drove to the coast. It is the same as you drive from Chattanooga to Panama. Soon all the oak trees turn into palm trees. Here, in Oregon, the scenery goes from the occasional tall evergreens and deformed hazelnut trees to mossy trees. They are so tall and the moss covers them from the bottom of the trunk to the tip of the branch. Have you ever seen a shaved poodle? Remember how when the fur was gone, the animal underneath it was as skinny as can be? That is exactly what would happen if we took the moss off these trees. There would only be twigs underneath. Literally, the moss on the tree grows like the hair on a poodle--big and fluffy. I've never seen anything like this, and my picture doesn't capture the true ugly-beautifulness of it. Because that's what it is-- it's so ugly that it is beautiful.

After an hours drive, we come to the coast of Neskowin. Admittedly, we almost pass it because it's so enclosed by hills and mountains. The coast wasn't the same as it was ten years ago. That cold beach turned into this magic land. It was still chilly and the sun wasn't shining, but those facts didn't take away the sheer beauty. The signs along the trail warn of high waves and swift current.

The usual white sand from my memory from Florida, is replaced by this black-speckled, brown sand. There are large rocks and driftwood scattered along the ocean side instead of lounge chairs and towels. Pluto won't go near the water and when a wave crashes on the shore line, he tries his best to climb up the rocks to get away.


Now I appreciate this place so much more and cannot wait to go back. Scott and I were meeting up with friends later that evening for dinner so we only stayed at the coast for a half and hour. This is my second favorite place in Oregon (first being home with Scotty) and I was reluctant to leave.


We will be going back to the coast this coming weekend. Depot Bay is south of where we were but it will be equally as exciting because the whales will be migrating north and showing up at this bay. This time I plan on ordering a bowl clam chowder. I hear it's a specialty here in Oregon.