Brookings, Oregon

For me, going to the coast is going home.  It doesn't matter if I have never before been to that particular spot...salt water, sea breeze, waves...combined they send a welcome right down to my very soul.  It's true...

I like other kinds of places, too.  Some very much.  Mountains, deserts, bayous, even the rolling plains are all nice and places that I enjoy.  But the ocean is my very favorite...

On this particular day, we ended up in Brookings, Oregon, and all I can say is "wow!"...

We had no reservations, just figuring out each day as we went.  The place we stumbled upon in Brookings ranks as one of my all time favorites for the VIEW:

After checking in, we headed straight for the edge of the sea...

that boy and his sticks <3

Black rocks means black sand, so pretty!...

The promise of a seafood dinner lured us away from the water and back into the car for the short drive to town.  We found a tiny little hole-in-the-wall and filled it halfway up with our crew of kiddos :).  The food was great and the service was even better...they were super nice, even gave the kids free ice creams for dessert.  I just love small towns with heart :).

Back we went to our room on the ocean.  The kids changed into their swimsuits and we walked over to their outdoor heated swimming pool.  It felt so luxurious to be outside, swimming and enjoying the beautiful night when we had left behind freezing temps and snow back east and north.

Happy and tired, we fell asleep to the oceans lullaby...we left the sliding door open and it was wonderful.  I don't think I have ever slept as good as I did that night.  A bonus?  I was up with the sun the next morning (never happens without an alarm and lots of groaning, haha)...

The sky was so pretty and pink, I snuck out of bed and enjoyed it all by myself on the balcony while the kids snoozed on...

As soon as they were up and dressed they took over for me on the balcony.  Soaking in the beautiful view...

I was up early, but I wasn't the first one up.  Dan and Trevor slipped out while it was still dark and headed off to go salmon fishing on the Chetco River.  They hired a guide for the day and away they went... **these are Dan's pictures from their day on the river**

The other four kids and I had the day to do with as we pleased...I tell ya'll all about it next time ;)!