(no subject)

[aprilstarchild]

I knew it would be hard to find a hotel in Cannon Beach. What I did not expect is that there would literally be not a single vacancy anywhere on the coast. We drove from Cannon Beach to Tillamook, not a single place had a room. It was a pleasant enough drive, but as it got dark I think we both started to stress.

What ended up happening, was that we drove to Oceanside (near Tillamook), parked the car in front of the beach, and slept in the car. But first we grabbed some beer and chips in Netarts. We walked around a bit on the beach, hoping someone would abandon a bonfire without putting it out, but no luck there. As long as we were moving it wasn't too cold, but the wind was chilly.

I could see which house me and my friends had stayed in for last New Years'. That was kinda cool.

I really wish we'd grabbed a blanket before we left the house--but we didn't know we'd end up in the car. It got so cold! I put on a pair of pants over the one I was wearing, but even then, every few hours I'd wake up rikell42 (usually, apparently, via sticking my cold feet under his butt on the next seat), and he'd run the engine just long enough to heat up the car for a few minutes.

We finally just got up around seven, and grabbed coffee there in Oceanside before walking around the beach a little, including through the cave in the bluff, and picking up agates.

After that we started just driving North, stopping wherever we pleased to check out great views or walk on the sand a bit. There's a place called Hug Point that had a big rock covered in mollusks and sea stars and things like that, and part of Hwy101 wraps around a mountain named after an Oregon governor from early in the 20th century, and there's lots of places to pull off and enjoy a spectacular view.

In Cannon Beach we walked around and visited art galleries, things like that. There's one that had art I recognized, because Cherie has a few prints! That artist had some really neato colorful fantasy art. In another gallery I recognized a woman who's had a ton of her stuff printed in this year's We'Moon planner, in addition to stuff I recognized from previous years. I saw a lot of art that wasn't what I would expect at a tourist gallery--one had computer-made photo collages that reminded me a little of Dave McKean but were far more introspective.

A restaurant there had vegan Gardenburgers. And tasty beer. Odd side note--neither of us were ever ID'ed, at the convenience store in Netarts or the restaurant in Cannon Beach. Odd. I guess J's beard makes him look older, and I guess I look old enough now. By law you're supposed to ID until people look 28, but whatever.

We had one last look at the ocean at Seaside before coming back. I love the ocean and normally I hardly ever get to go, maybe once or twice a year. I went this past March with J and jameslentz and Zoe, and a few months ago (with J and his sister and brother-in-law), and I'm going again this weekend with my coven! Awesome.

We are soooo tired. We've had a shower and eaten at Paradox Cafe and we've officially decided to reserve the rest of the day for slacking. I think I'm mostly going to read. And then get to sleep nice and early because I have to be at work at seven am tomorrow. Oy.

Comments

[alicia-stardust.livejournal.com]

Most coastal lodging has to be reserved months ahead of time, and for Cannon Beach it's even longer: up to a year in advance. But it sounds like you two had a great trip anyhow! :)

[infernarl.livejournal.com]

http://www.threadless.com/submission/86347/The_Half_Blood_Prince_of_All_Cosmos

[aprilstarchild.livejournal.com]

OMG. that's too funny.