Life's a Beach

Where have we vacationed for the last thirty years?  Hawaii, no.  the mountains, no, Europe, Mexico, Canada, no, no, no.  We head towards the Oregon coast. When the kids were little we tent camped at all the coastal state parks.  When I got tired of crawling around on my hands and knees in the tents, we started staying in the yurts and cabins. They had beds, electricity and heat. Still had to cook outside on my thrity year old Colman, and walk to the bathrooms, but it seemed luxurious.  We would pack all our bikes and enjoy peddling around the huge camping areas and spending hours and hours slathered in sunblock on the beaches.

Now Tom and I would still enjoy a beach yurt or cabin, but they have become very hard to reserve, except in January and February, so it is the motel life for us these days.  Although we sometimes stay in Lincoln City, Newport or Astoria, usually we make the one hour drive to Seaside. A week or so back the sun was shining brightly and Tom really wanted to go to the beach. Things were booked up but I managed to book us a room at the City Center Motel in Seaside. Years ago with the kids in tow we looked at a room there but passed. It was cheap but rather run down and we found a better place.

This time, City Center was the only affordable place available, so we headed there and were pleasantly surprised when we arrived. The motel had been bought by a company who completely refurbished it. Our double queen bed room was spacious with new walls, ceilings, and beautiful wooden floors throughout.  A spacious full bath, very comfy beds, and furniture purchased from a now defunct boutique hotel completed the room.  We had a small private deck outside and a three minute walk to the beach.

This is the door to our room. The private
deck is on the left.

This is not City Center but just a place
we like on the ocean front.

Tom beach combing at the cove, Seaside.
He always brings a rock home. Always.

I had to take photos of some of Lester Fixins food sodas, right through the glass doors of the case. If you can't make it to The Buzz Candy store on Broadway in Seaside, you can order them online. You can choose from:

Bacon, Bacon with Chocolate, Bacon with Maple Syrup, Buffalo Wing, Coffee, Maple Syrup, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Corn, or Ranch Dressing Soda!

Made in the USA with 100% pure cane sugar.  It's almost healthy! I'm gonna order a case of that Ranch Dressing Soda right now. Yummy!

After our stay in Seaside, we were graciously invited to spend the night at Tom's sister Kathleen's place in Rockaway.  Kathleen is transitioning from managing the Tillamook Woman's Shelter to retirement, managing the Twin Rocks Motel.  She is doing both at the moment!  She has a lovely place with a guest room where Tom and I stayed.

Tom sitting in the blue chairs.
 You've seen this before.

Sitting in the sun outside the
back door.

Kathleen's place is a zen oasis decorated with antiques and collectables from around the world.

Maybe we will travel to other places in the future, but the beautiful Oregon coast has a strong pull on us.  It is a calming, healthy, escape from day to day life.