You know how sometimes you just have to do something when the mood strikes you? That's not really a good way to run a blog but obviously I've resorted to such measures. Sporadically writing doesn't really represent the absence of activity in our lives, just maybe the inconsistency of the author of this story. But to satisfy all of you lurkers starved for this long-awaited entry, hungry to know what's happening with the Galer clan, what the latest trends are in savvy, hip-homemaking: tonight is the night! Refreshed from our 9ish day vacation to the Oregon Coast here's a brisk re-cap and posting of photos.
It's always amazing how little we need to survive and how most of that can be collected in a matter of hours, crammed into plastic totes and duffels and arranged in the limited space of an 8-year old Toyota Sienna. It felt so liberating to spin off down the freeway with so little to encumber our family---just a round of rousing camp songs, car bingo and well-planned snacks. Liberation turned to confinement with each potty stop and the realization that the momentary siesta from stuff we'd created was quickly unraveling as the contents of snack baggies and backpacks made their unsightly and sticky way across the interior of our car. Let me just say the $100 spent at Wal-mart on a little device called a portable DVD player was the most well-spent money of the entire trip.
15 hours later (I think it was 1:30am) we arrived at the beach. Late indeed but we tumbled into the Paul's beautiful beach house in Pacific City with the relieved sense that the week held no schedules, no routines, no expectations aside from the hope of good seafood and lingering days at the beach. There was renewed bonding for all family members and we loved watching the four children play and romp and watch way too many movies and eat more than a sensible amount of ice-cream. Everyday.
Firsts or almost firsts for each person included: Scott: No internet. Though this did induce daily walks to the library with the hope that their connection was active. Trish: Enjoying Scott cooking dinners (fish tacos included!). Okay, maybe not a FIRST but definately worth mentioning. Madi: Making friends with a dunganess crab (see photos). Really close friends. Harry: Loving Mo's clam chowder and making friends with a mermaid. Really close friends. Owen: Walking the streets of Portland at 11pm at night after eating pizza in a bar. (It's a long, long story) Elliott: Everything! It was all a bit of magic watching him see sand, sea and all of it's attendant pleasures for the first time. 'Beach! Oregon! Beach house!'
Wishing each of you could have had a moment of what we enjoyed---here's some pictures to transport you there!
Oh yes, and on the way home we were all the more wise! Two days of driving instead of one. A hotel visit in Pendelton, Oregon, with a pool. Fewer camp songs, more movies and less looking behind me to see if the contents had exploded. They had.
4 comments:
nice write-up. You make it sound like such an event that I cooked; your readers will start to think it's YOU who does most of the cooking around here!
Looks like fun! It was good to hear about your trip. We have been as far as Woodland Ut and Bear Lake this summer, nice diversions...but I think the kids are ready for school to start (or maybe that's just me;) Emily
Sweet! I'm jealous that you got to spend some time on the Oregon Coast. A few years ago we spent two weeks at the beach house and still didn't feel like we got to do everything we wanted. Can't wait for next summer.
And to Scott, I think we all know who does most of the cooking...haha!
I love "mama's" writin style. It's kind of like being there. Thanks for that summary. I be wantin sum phish tacos next time am in Idaho...even it is in January!
Post a Comment