While Joan and I try to get out as much as possible, we occasionally take “real” vacations. We spend time with family, celebrate a holiday, and engage in tourist-type activities.
Or plan said activities with family.
This past Thanksgiving, we visited Joan’s sister in Eugene (and met up with her parents) and spent a week in Florence, OR, on the coast.
We did the usual Thanksgiving activities of eating, drinking, and catching up with family.
And, being a good son-in-law who works in IT, I fixed a computer!
But we also got to do some hiking and wandering around the beautiful coastal area.
A memorable highlight included Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area near Newport, OR.
As I recall from my last visit two years ago, the rocky coast, lighthouses, and ocean sounds and smells reminded me of my native Rhode Island.
Speaking of which, we played tourist in Newport, OR, named by people originally from…Newport, RI.
But quieter, grander scenery, and delicious beer at Rogue Brewery!
Joan enjoyed her customary root beer float. 🙂
The winter light over the ocean and the sea lions are two things we don’t see in Moab.
We also enjoyed the many short but scenic USFS trails nearby (another improvement over my home state!)
Joan, in particular, enjoyed the ecologically diverse area, which was much lusher and more vibrant than our desert home.
And going from the forest to the ocean, often in less than two miles, always proved memorable.
It was a memorable time in a beautiful area different from our home.
