Good-bye, Ocean

"There is a rapture on the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea with music in its roar." -Lord Byron

We woke up Friday morning with just enough time to pack up and say good-bye to our beautiful bungalow by the sea and our lovely beach in Newport. It is amazing how nine people can spread out so quickly and have stuff scattered throughout that entire large home. We really felt like it was our house and that it was quite cruel that we should be forced to leave it. It now sits comfortably next to past beach houses in the confines of our memories and in the corners of our hearts.

I found Spencer standing on the very top deck saying good-bye to our view.

And Jonah reluctantly left behind the ladder leading to his loft bedroom.

We all sat in somber silence for a few moments as we said our final farewells to our home on the ocean and a week of carefree family time in Newport.

But there was not much time for tears. We had new adventures ahead of us. We began our trek down Hwy 101. That has got to be one of the most beautiful drives in the United States. We drove along gorgeous cliffs and gazed down at breath-taking shorelines. Until we got near Cape Sebastian, where we found a beach we just had to get out and enjoy.

This beach was covered in beautiful sea-stacks. There is something about those gorgeous dark rocks juxtaposed against the blue sea and the brown sand. It is simply a feast for the eyes. 

And what do you know, it was getting late in the day, better grab my camera.

The water was warmer here in Southern Oregon, so the kids were thrilled to get in passed their ankles. And the sand was like powdered sugar beneath our feet.

This was our last chance to enjoy the ocean, and the kids soaked in every second of it.

I realized that we hadn't taken a single full family photo in front of the ocean. Quick everyone say cheese!

Sometimes you just have to leave home and go somewhere really cool to bring out the kids in your kids again.

Jonah wanted me to capture a photo of him as the waves came in around him.

"Not yet, Mom! Wait for it! Wait for it!"

"Did you get that, Mom?!" 

"You bet, I sure did."

I'm pretty sure that Sabrina is doing some sort of monkey call in this photo.

Everyone must skip a rock into the ocean, although I suppose rocks don't skip as well on the raging sea, as they do on a quiet lake. It's still fun to try.

This is Jonah wringing the water out of his sweats. Perhaps sweats weren't the best clothing option for a romp in the ocean.

Well, it was getting late, and I wanted to hit the Redwoods before dark, but only just before dark, because you know that is when the lighting is best, for you know, photos.

Good-bye lovely ocean! As we sit in our desert-home, we will think of you often, and the carefree days we enjoyed on your shores. We will remember those times with a sigh. Until we meet again, beautiful Oregon Coast, adieu.