I was anxious to visit the Oregon Coast in the winter - wondering if there would be snow and what the beach would feel like absent the summer activity, the fall beach fires of driftwood, and the absence of the tourists on holiday.
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| Pacific Ocean waves |
My sister Christine and I came to Manzanita on a lark of exploration, and vowed to return. We did finally return - and were SO excited! It has become a place of tranquility -
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| Manzanita Beach |
I remember telling my dear friend Shelley about Manzanita, and that I wanted to bring her here - wrap her in a warm blanket and sit on the beach, watch the waves, and feel the Pacific Ocean breeze on our faces. We didn't make it here together, Shelley was too ill to travel - this is my first trip back since she died - but I still feel that she is seeing it through my eyes and loving every minute of it!
Manzanita has about 750 people and just as many dogs, the median age is 52 so you can imagine that the night life is pretty spectacular! A great many of the cabins/houses are vacation homes - so walking the streets in December has a bit of "ghost town" feel to it.
I always look forward to a cold beer and a slice of fabulous pizza at the Manzanita Pizza Pie!
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| Manzanito's Pizza Pie - the ocean is at the end of the street |
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| Manzanita Grocery & Deli - quite the hub at noon! |
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| The wonderful designs in the sand |
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| Rippled sand with a single dog print |
This bird reminded me of my father and his love of the Lake Michigan in Two Rivers, WI. We placed both mom and dad's remains in that body of water - and I still smile and laugh remembering my cousin Jill with a bike helmet on her heat as we walked the beach after dad's memorial - it was pouring out and I think Jill thought the helmet would keep the rain off her head.
So here I found this bird, firmly planted on the beach, his back to the crashing waves, enjoying the solitude that the beach brought this morning!
I love this beach, don't ask me why, but I just do!
So with this blog - I share a bit of it with you - my friends and family :-)
~ KS
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| I love the way the beach grass blows in the wind! |
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| What a great way to celebrate a tree! |
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| Self portrait - enjoying the wind and waves |
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| One of my favorite natural plantings |
When Alton and I were in high school we flew out to Two Rivers for a week over winter break to visit Grandma and Grandpa... It was the first time I'd ever seen the beach in winter. Your pictures reminded me so much of that trip - seeing the snow and sand swirled together and the crisp water breaking on an empty beach. I remember the rainy day we spread Grandpa's ashes and hurried back to catch the Packer's game. Thanks for sharing your trip!
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