"THE OREGON COAST"

It started out as a gorgeous sunny day here at the coast and as you can see from this lovely (cell phone) picture, it got a little rainy out. Quite the contrast from Vickie's lovely NM sunset pic. The logging truck, the rain on the windshield and lots of grey in the background; all fairly normal for these parts.

Today and tomorrow the Oregon Coast is experiencing what they are referring to as "rare and extremely low tides measuring up to minus three feet." What this means to me is that I get to explore sights the ocean is normally hiding. I started my investigation of this phenomenon in Cannon Beach at Haystack Rock. There are a lot of tide pools, and unfortunately, a lot of people, so there was not much to see when it came to sea-life. A few burnt orange star fish and one big red brick colored one clung as they do to a rock. There were muscles everywhere and a few of those cute anemone things we all like to poke our fingers into but can't pronounce.

The weather was starting to change when I arrived, kicking up the winds so I didn't stay too long. Too much hair in my face.... Walking back to the car I watched as dry sand swept across the wet sand like a snake searching for it's prey. It created these beautiful flat dunes as if it ran into glue and decided to stick there. The sand is finer here than in California, softer. I wonder if it's because of the wind.

Before the obviously impending rain came, I took a stroll through town in search of a friend of a friend I knew in my early twenties. He told me to "look for her at the coffee shop." Well, I'm not sure when he was in Cannon Beach last but there are several coffee shops now. Needless to say, I didn't find her. Getting hungry and now wet, from the rain that was more like mist blowing than water pouring, I went in search of soup. All the restaurants were suddenly packed with lunch goers also trying to escape the rain. In an effort to avoid the lines of people waiting to be seated in the center of town, I headed back towards a place I had noticed earlier. It was set back and away from the shopping so I thought there a good chance it would be less crowded. The sign in the window had said; soup, sandwhiches, coffee. Turns out it was the local cooking school.

EVOO. I hate the name (thanks to Rachel Ray) but highly recommend this place. It's a small school that looks like house from the outside. When you walk in, you are have more or less entered the kitchen. Like Benihana's there is a table that wraps all around the cooking area and sets low. The menu changes daily and includes items like soup, chili and homemade cookies or their new "family meal." They cook the cookies throughout the day and set them out in front of you hot out of the oven. The place smells amazing. On a recommendation from the owner, I ordered Salmon Chowder. Oh My GOD! Creamy, but not too creamy. Bits of salmon, carrots and al dente potatoes. Drizzled olive oil, basil oil and ground cardamon on top (something else too, that i can't remember). It was served with a fresh cooked toast point. It was a flavor explosion for FIVE BUCKS! So, if in Cannon Beach support the local cooking school EVOO! http://www.evoo.biz/


After lunch I headed north in search of the shipwreck Peter Iredale (pictured, not my picture). Apparently it is currently more exposed than usual due to the low tides. I went all the way to Astoria (kind of far) and back and I couldn't find it. I guess my quick "where is it" look at a map before leaving the hotel wasn't good enough. Tomorrow I will do better when I go in search of the ghost forest that is now exposed down south. http://www.kgw.com/environment/stories/kgw_090308_news_ghost_forest.3f905b3d.html

I came down here to get away, have some space of my own, do a little writing and photography all while being able to look for a job and get some things accomplished now that I have the internet. I did look for a job yesterday but other than that, I feel I have been remiss in doing any of the other things I came here to do. I suppose it's only 4:30 so I have some time to "get on it." No point in guilting myself. I accomplished the getaway, space, photography and now writing. Time to get a little responsible. Hiring anyone? Kidding (kind of).

In closing I would like to share one of my favorite things with you (and Vickie's too). Music. On a rainy day, driving down the coast, some songs to match the mood (that I listened to today):
Flightless Bird - Iron & Wine
Road to Chicago - Thomas Newman
Love Vs. Porn - Kevin Drew
Sleepless - The Decemberists
The Giant of Illinois - Andrew Bird
Far From Home - Liz Durrett
Endlessly - Muse
Night Walks - Black Mountain
He Lays In the Reins - Iron & Wine/Calexico
It's Only Love - Diefenbach

Oh, and one more thing... tacky but ingenious. I saw that someone invented the "switch" flop. A flip flop where you can change the way it looks every day with new velcro add ons/ribbon tops. Seriously, google it. Hmmmm......

Thank you for reading ~ Renee