our story and pictures

When we got married 21 years ago, we were both working at Papa Murphy's.  He was the lead opener and assistant manager.  I was the lead closer and shift supervisor.  At just 19, we didn't have a lot of money between us.  We did our wedding on the cheap.  And we couldn't afford to take much time off.  Our manager complained a bit but gave us 3 days.  We took the day before to prepare, the day of to actually get married (of course), and the day after to swoon and relax.  No honeymoon really.  But the following weekend, or maybe two weeks later we ended up with 2 days off together.  After I finished my closing shift we took off.  It was late.  Probably after 10.  And we drove.  We drove south down the Oregon coast until we couldn't keep our eyes open and we pulled into the first empty spot in some campground and we slept in our seats in the car without paying for the spot.  We woke at dawn and tore out of that campsite and drove on down the road.  Eventually we ended up in Coos Bay where we camped again, paying for our site this time.  It rained torrentially that night and everything got wet.

This has been our adventure.

Leading up to our anniversary this year my sweet Aaron devised a plan to surprise me with a trip retracing that "honeymoon" trip we took.  But I wiled it out of him because I'm devious like that.  We didn't retrace the steps exactly but there was a bit of camping, there was rain, and the Oregon coast starred in most of the trip.

Day #1 we left Whidbey Island by ferry and drove south to Ilwaco, Washington.  We had a campsite reserved and planned to sleep on an air mattress in the back of our little pickup (with a canopy).  We went out to dinner to a cute little Italian place.  The owner was there and learned that it was our anniversary.  He treated us to chocolate cake and homemade tiramisu to take with us.  It was so special and sweet.

Back at the campsite, air mattress blown up, we learned that it didn't *perfectly* fit into the canopy.  Rather, it had a high side above one wheel well.  But being the easygoing, go with the flow people we are, we accepted it with a laugh.  It rained really hard that night.  And we learned that our canopy is not water tight.  Dawn came and I was so relieved to be rid of the wheel well in my ribs, we packed up quickly and were on the road before 7.

Day #2 coffee and breakfast at Street 14 Café in Astoria, Oregon.  This is the town I grew up in.  This is the town I met him in.  This is the town we married in and the town we left less than a year later in search of our adventure.  But this café on 14th Street has the best fresh baked lemon poppyseed scones I have had EVER.

After coffee and a scone we set off down the coast and made it to Cannon Beach by 8:30.  The fog was thick, and the ocean was gray, but it was so beautiful.  We saw pelicans and puffins.  We saw a seagull that I'm certain was mourning the death of a friend.  And it was all just so dang breathtaking!

Pelican...

Puffins...

Tillamook Head Lighthouse...

We drove on.  This coast of Oregon, this Pacific Ocean, is unlike anywhere I've been.  Oregon is HOME for me.  Born and raised.  I moved away at 24 but no matter where I go in that beautiful state it always feels like home, from the coast to the mountains, to the Columbia River Gorge, to the dry eastern side, it is familiar and welcoming.

Looking north toward Lincoln City...

South, from Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Those large rocks are teeming with Common Murres (stinky, loud migratory birds)

A rock full of Common Murre

They are somewhat like a small penguin, except they can fly...

Another rock covered in birds...

Yaquina Head Lighthouse, still in use...

We reached our motel in the late afternoon.  Years ago, for our first few anniversaries we stayed at The Whaler in Newport.  My thoughtful husband reserved a room for us again this year.  It's not a fancy resort motel but it is right at the edge of the ocean and we had a room on the 3rd floor and the moment we walked in to our room, we walked to the balcony and saw whales just offshore.

Whales!!

That evening we walked to a nearby restaurant and had a nice dinner while we watched the sun set into the clouds on the horizon over the Pacific Ocean.  We walked on the beach in the dark before heading back to our motel.

Day #3  Driving further south down the coast.  We stopped at Devil's Churn before heading on down to the Sea Lion Cave.  Both sights were captivating and we had a great time at both.  We took in the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the waterfront shops in Newport before a fancy dinner at a fresh seafood restaurant.  Salmon for me, rockfish for him.  Back to the motel for a swim in the indoor pool to finish off a very full day.

Devil's Churn...

Devil's Churn...

Sea Lion Cave...

Oregon Coast Aquarium

Shopping...

Newport waterfront...

Day #4  We drove home in relative quiet.  It is sad to reach the end of such a beautiful trip full of love and laughter.  Real life requires us to work and earn money.  But even in the mundane of every day I'm so happy with our life together.  I'm glad to share my days with him, to share all these years of memories, and to look forward to more.

Until next time!