Of sand and sea
September 5, 2007 – 12:42 am
for whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it’s always ourselves we find in the sea
-e. e. cummings
This weekend we decided to take advantage of the last 3-day weekend of the summer and head for the Oregon Coast.
Through some feat of magic, we manage to cram our stuff and my sister (and her rather large cooler) into our very SMALL car and we are on our way. We meet my parents in a tiny town called Gearhart just a few miles south of Astoria where we move into our home away from home… a condo with a pool and a playground and BEST OF ALL the beach just steps from our door.
I think I have mermaid in my blood or maybe a seagull ancestor. I feel the most alive when my toes are bare and sandy, my ears are filled with the sound of crashing surf, and when I am breathing in the salty damp air of the sea. Walking by the waves, splashing in the salty water, picking up sand dollars and shells, or relaxing in a low beach chair with a good book… this is when my body hums with happiness and my soul sighs a happy AHHHHHH.
Within minutes of our arrival at the beach, CJ is sprawled out in the sand, digging, piling, raking it with his fingers. He spends an hour building a home for a millipede and two hours racing back and forth from the edge of the ocean, madly throwing handfuls of wet sand at the frothy surf. HA HA HA HA HA! He shrieks as he leaps over the water, landing with a splash.
We drink pots of hot coffee with cream, feast on homemade pie and hotdogs fresh from the grill, take naps EVERY SINGLE DAY and treat ourselves to delicious ice-cream cones from Pop’s. Our most strenuous activity is strolling on the beach, and I wear the same pair of cropped jeans and a big sweatshirt the whole time.
We return home rested, rejuvenated, and content. Our car is sandy, our cheeks are pink, and we are ready to dive back into life.
***
Did you enjoy this post? Why not subscribe to email updates or the RSS feed. 
Random Posts
By Moore Family on Sep 4, 2007 | Reply
Sounds heavenly!!
[Reply to this comment]
By alison on Sep 4, 2007 | Reply
i agree!! a perfect labor-free labor day weekend.
[Reply to this comment]
By Summer on Sep 4, 2007 | Reply
We visited the beach Saturday. We don’t get to go to the beach very often but it really is so relaxing.
[Reply to this comment]
By Mommy Daisy on Sep 4, 2007 | Reply
Ahh, pure happiness!
[Reply to this comment]
By Betshopboy on Sep 4, 2007 | Reply
The sun, sand, surf are your heaven on earth. I could smell the salty air and the warm feel of sand on my feet from the description you’ve given.
Now it’s goodbye summer, and hello reality!
[Reply to this comment]
By Kimberly on Sep 4, 2007 | Reply
That was poetry, Jenny, absolute poetry.
I adore cummings.
And I want to go to the beach now.
[Reply to this comment]
By Midwest Mommy on Sep 4, 2007 | Reply
ohh! This sounds like heaven! I too love the beach but being from the midwest I only get to see the ocean maybe once a year if I am lucky :-(
[Reply to this comment]
By pinks & blues girls on Sep 4, 2007 | Reply
I, too, think I may have a little mermaid in my blood. Maybe that’s why I always felt a kinship with Ariel.
Perhaps we’re ancestors?
Jane, Pinks & Blues Girls
[Reply to this comment]
By Erika, Plain Jane Mom on Sep 4, 2007 | Reply
Yeah, I’m part mermaid too…
And I love Gearhart — I spent Christmas there about 10 years ago. Very relaxing!
[Reply to this comment]
By tulipmom on Sep 4, 2007 | Reply
How do I go about getting my doctor to write me a prescription for that?
Sounds like a great weekend!
[Reply to this comment]
By :: Suzanne :: on Sep 4, 2007 | Reply
I am so jealous. Hrmph.
[Reply to this comment]
By HK on Sep 4, 2007 | Reply
I LOVE Gearhart! My parents go there every year, and I’m so jealous. I haven’t been since college. Sigh…
[Reply to this comment]
By Annie on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
Sounds divine! When our stinking heat dies down, we’re going straight to the beach - I want to go now!
[Reply to this comment]
By temporarily me (sam) on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
Welcome Back!!! Sounds like you have a FABULOUS time! I’m now craving my vacation more then ever!
[Reply to this comment]
By Deb - Mom of 3 Girls on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
Oh, that sounds so nice… I love relaxing on the beach while the kids play - definitely a win-win for everyone! :)
[Reply to this comment]
By Jenn on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
There is something primeval about the sea that inevitably draws humans to it. It’s deep, it’s seemingly endless…and being 98% water, there is something magnetic between humans and oceans. Living in the Midwest I don’t get to visit them very often, but when I do, the soul-deep feeling of serenity and peace is rejuvenating.
[Reply to this comment]
By wornoutwoman on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
Oh man I’m jealous! I miss living near the ocean. I agree with you, I’m most alive when I can dig my toes in the sand and listen to the surf. The smell of the ocean is so revitalizing! Great post!
[Reply to this comment]
By Rachel on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
Damn, all I did this weekend was laundry.
[Reply to this comment]
By Karen (Pediascribe) on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
Looks like you had a great time. And that’s a wonderful picture of you! You look very happy!
[Reply to this comment]
By nell on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
Sounds like the most perfect ending to a summer that I can imagine!
[Reply to this comment]
By Nadine on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
That truly sounds like heaven on earth. I can’t believe summer is over already.
[Reply to this comment]
By Moving Mama on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
I love the ocean - it’s part of my big dream when I *finally* get to settle down and not move. What great pictures…
[Reply to this comment]
By dana on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
I imagine the coast was beautiful. I’ve never been there myself, but I looked at some photos online. They are gorgeous!
[Reply to this comment]
By Jen M. on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
You managed to get to the Oregon coast on one of the nice weather days!
[Reply to this comment]
By kellypea on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
How fun! And you look like you know you’re in heaven! Sorry I’ve been neglecting you, but I get to see you in a reader now…WOOT!
[Reply to this comment]
By Queen of Shake-Shake on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
Oh, I believe in the sea.
For real.
Now what I can’t get is sweatshirts at the beach? uh? Won’t you have a heat stroke?
A beach that isn’t hot….now there’s something I need to experience.
[Reply to this comment]
By Cate on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
That sounds beyond amazing….so….why I didn’t I get my invitation??? I mean….did it get lost in the mail? ;-)
[Reply to this comment]
By Mommyzing on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
Sounds perfect! We enjoyed our weekend at the beach in Clearwater, FL. Nice and very relaxing!
[Reply to this comment]
By Alex Elliot on Sep 5, 2007 | Reply
That sounds perfect! I’d settle for any vacation that keeps my kids occupied for two hours. Can I come with you next year? :)
[Reply to this comment]
By Carla on Sep 6, 2007 | Reply
Oh, paradise! You look so happy in the picture! Glad you had so much fun.
[Reply to this comment]
By carrie on Sep 6, 2007 | Reply
That sounds heavenly! And I love your picture! You look so relaxed and happy (well, who wouldn’t be?).
[Reply to this comment]
By shauna on Sep 6, 2007 | Reply
What a glorious weekend!
And thanks so much for your kind comment on my blog. :)
[Reply to this comment]