Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Mini Vacation

It's Tuesday evening and our little mini vacation is almost over.  I'm watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean and it's glorious.  But let's go back to Saturday when it all began.  We left home about 8:00 in the morning and made our way to Troutdale, Oregon, a suburb of Portland.  It was a six hour drive with lots of stops, so it was about 3:30 when we arrived.  We stayed at the Comfort Inn at the Columbia  River Gateway.  We highly recommend it.  Brand new, modern rooms and a wonderful breakfast.

We were right next to the Troutdale airport...see our car in the lower right parked at the hotel?  Just the corner, it's blue, not the pretty black one. Ha!  This is the airport that Brad flew out of all the time when they lived here.  I took this picture to send to him and then they knew exactly where we were.
We took our things inside and then drove to Tad's Chicken and Dumplins where we met Gracie, Dayle and Teresa.  (Gracie and Teresa's blogs are in my sidebar.). I just love these girls.  It was the first time our husbands met and I think the guys hit it off right away. In fact, Teresa and Dayle invited us back to the farm and look what I got....
A piece of Kristi's chocolate tart with Teresa's homemade whipped cream.  In case you don't read Teresa's blog you have to check this tart out over there.  It was amazing.  That's the only word for it.  Yummm!  I stole this picture from Teresa's blog.  She has the recipe on her blog.
We had such a great time visiting with Travis and Kristi and the boys along with Dayle and Teresa.  I sure wish we lived closer so we could do things together more.  Kristi gave me a tour of Teresa's craft room and it really is as nice as the pictures on her blog.  I've said it before, I want Kristi to come live with me and organize our house.  :-)

Here we are Sunday afternoon on the coast at Cape Foulweather.  No foul weather that day.  It was beautiful.
Just look at that view!  Gorgeous.
The view from our room.  Is it any wonder why I love the Oregon coast?
This is where we're staying. Right on Hwy 101 in Lincoln City.  You never hear the traffic after you enter the door and then all you hear is the ocean.
Yesterday we had grey skies but we still went out and played.
This was out our balcony door this morning.  Beautiful rainbow.
I thought this guy was going to join us for breakfast in our room.  :-). I loved watching the seagulls soar around the water.
A view from Boiler Bay just north of Depoe Bay.  There was fog and mist here with peaks of sunshine.
Yaquina Bay lighthouse.  So pretty.  The road was closed so we couldn't get any closer.
A little history lesson on the lighthouse.
It was raining lightly as we started toward the Bayfront and the Bay Bridge but Hubby was sweet and let me take his picture.
Hundreds and hundreds of sea lions were here on the docks, swimming around and on a huge rock in the bay.
You should have heard the raucus noise those sea lions were making.  Yelling at each other and claiming their spot on the dock!  I took a video so you could hear them but it won't imbed in my post for some reason.
Doesn't this guy look like he's getting a sun tan?
Back at our room this afternoon and a walk on the beach.  So pretty.
And about five minutes ago from our room's balcony.
There are no words.
I love the coast and wish we lived closer but I have to make do with a visit every few years.  I am very thankful for the times I do get to gcome here.

Thank you for coming along on our vacation with us.  We ate way too much.  I didn't have to cook at all.  Oh and I almost forgot to tell you, Teresa's son Travis sent us a big bag of goodies, cookies and crackers, but especially some smoked salmon.  He caught the salmon a couple of weeks ago and Dayle smoked it in his pellet smoker.  Oh yum!  We've been snacking on that every night.  It's time now for tonight's treat!!!

Homeward bound tomorrow.  Laundry on Thursday and another adventure over the weekend.  Life is good!

"The seas have lifted up, LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.  Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea-the LORD on high is mighty." Psalm 93:3,4

Blessings always,
Betsy

13 comments:

  1. LOVED this Betsy! I smiled all the way through your post:) So happy that you were able to enjoy the lovely coast AND see your blogger buddies! Safe travels home.
    Blessings,
    Aimee
    PS; Loved those sea lions!!!

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  2. It looks like you guys had a fun loop through here and the coast. You stayed in a great place to have that as a view! Our family enjoyed your visit here at the farmhouse. Travis said you seemed like great people. I'm glad you enjoyed the tart and my homemade whipped cream.. it was neat to teach my daughter-in-law how easy it is to make. I'll be swimming tomorrow... wish you lived close enough to join us! Travel safe back home. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. ahhh sounds and looks like a wonderful break away, thanks so much for sharing it all with us dear Betsy, how I have enjoyed it all.
    I thought how strange it was that you see the sun set on the Pacific Ocean whereas where I live here in NSW we see the sun rise on the Pacific ocean..

    ... and also how un- pacific (literally peaceful) the ocean is there is in Oregon!

    No wonder Captain Cook struggled to land there... .. and he found NSW eight years before he sailed along your coast in Oregon.... all very interesting, isn't it??

    Love the bit about the lighthouse as it tied it all in for me.. glad you were able to meet up with friends too.
    God is amazingly gracious to us, isn't He?

    Thanks so much for popping over.
    Shaz in Oz.x

    {Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}


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  4. What a lovely break, meeting friends and their families. I too want Kristi to come and organise me and would love to taste that smoked salmon. What a beautiful coastline, you are certainly blessed living in such a beautiful state. Take care.

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  5. Awesome photos. You two looks so happy. That was wonderful that you were able to meet up with the girl. Loved "traveling along" with you via this post. Blessings always sweet friend. :)

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  6. What a wonderful vacation! thank you for sharing it as your photos are gorgeous. I now love the Oregon coast too!

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  7. I'm so glad you took yourselves off for a nice little trip. It sounds like you've had a wonderful time and how nice to be able to spend time with Teresa and Gracie too. Thank you for sharing your adventures. I hope you have a safe trip home and enjoy the rest of your week.

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  8. Oh, Betsy, what a fun trip! Your photos are amazing! Looks like a wonderful place to go and relax. I would love to walk on that beach. The sunset photos are amazing too. You had a great view from your room! Six hours, eh? I guess we could add 3 hours to that when we go. It is something we plan to do some day...when we don't have to board the dogs. Maybe when we're down to one or two, it will be manageable to take them. Fun trip!

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  9. Glad you had a good time! We've stayed at that Comfort Inn in Troutdale as well. I loved all the photos on the walls in hallways! Not quite brand new cuz we stayed there a couple years ago. Loved staying there. Your photos are great and I just enjoy the ocean! Can't wait for our trip in a couple months a bit further south of Lincoln City! Have a good weekend trip my friend! Glad you are feeling better!Hugs!

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  10. I am so, so glad you had a wonderful time with your precious Dennis, seeing the beautiful coast and of course meeting with wonderful friends. Your trip sounds just perfect Betsy, and I thank you for taking us along because you gave us a mini trip too. By the way I received your beautiful card and sweet gift in the mail this week. You are so thoughtful my dear friend.
    Meredith

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  11. I sent you an email with the web site on it. Did you get the email? I have two different email addresses for you.

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  12. What a wonderful trip - the views are breathtaking. Doesn't the vastness of the sea help put everything into perspective? The sea lions are hilarious.

    Hope you are feeling better these days, Betsy. :)

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  13. That looks like so much fun. I'm glad you were able to get to the coast. I hope your back issues are clearing up and you are feeling more like your old self.
    Hugs,
    Sharon

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