We went to the Oregon coast to refuel our mind, body & spirit. And it worked. Hope was restored. But this was in August and 2020 was not done with us yet.
“If the ocean can calm itself, so can you. We are both salt water mixed with air.” ― Nayyirah Waheed
This is the second part to a post I wrote in October (you may want to read that one first if you haven’t already). Before I get to the fun stuff, I need to put this trip into context. Three days after returning from Oregon, we found ourselves back on the road evacuating to Austin, TX. Hurricane Laura ripped through our community on August 27. If you live anywhere near Louisiana, you already know how devastating this storm was. You also know that one month later, Hurricane Delta hit the same area and poured salt on a bleeding wound. Our home was spared major damage, but there was a lot of cleanup to do and we were without power for 7 weeks. From September to mid-October, Eric & I lived in 5 different places. COVID-19 was all but forgotten as we watched our beloved Southwest Louisiana pick itself up out of the storm debris and muck. Homes & churches are now being torn down around us, & neighbors will be living in RVs for months to come. COVID-19 cases are on the rise here & we’ve begun to lose friends & family to this devastating virus. 
Yet through all of this, my mind keeps returning to that Oregon trip. I can recall the sound of the ocean crashing against the rocks. I can taste the salt in the air & feel the cold mist on my face. So for those of you who need some travel therapy or some serenity in your life right now, this post is for you.
We spent the second half of our Oregon trip just outside Depoe Bay, in a house that jutted out over the ocean. The Oceanfront Home sat on black lava rock & overlooked a rocky cape, known for tempestuous storms and excellent whale watching. We were fortunate to experience both, although I must admit the whales were pretty hard to see (even with binoculars). The house was made for us — a library when you walk in, a massive kitchen with everything a chef could want, and floor-to-ceiling windows along the entire ocean-facing wall. We even met the neighbors, who would call out to us when they spotted a whale.
My favorite part of this lodging was its location on the Otter Crest Loop, which used to be part of Hwy 101 in the 1920s. Due to repeated landslides, the route was closed to vehicles for awhile and nature began to reclaim it. It’s now a windy, one-way road along fern-covered rock walls with dramatic ocean views peeking around every corner. Perfect for daily walks!
There are so many beautiful walking paths along the Oregon coast, and the region around Depoe Bay is no exception. We walked the trails at Yaquina Head Lighthouse & we worked out our calves walking from the Gleneden Beach State Rec Area up towards the Salishan area (home of the luxurious Salishan Spa). If not for COVID, we would have enjoyed stopping at some of the restaurants & shops in the Salishan area. Instead, we opted for smoked salmon at Barnacle Bill’s Seafood Market in Lincoln City & it was FABULOUS!
Glenedon Beach
Glenedon Beach
Path to Glenedon Beach
Yaquina Lighthouse Trail
Yaquina Lighthouse Trail
Yaquina Lighthouse
Yaquina Lighthouse Trail
