There's something a little cruel about going to the Oregon coast for a Hawai`i native. Everything seems right: the expanse of water called the Pacific, waves crashing, the smell of salt in the air, warm sand between the toes. And just when you think - Alright! I'm going in! - your toe touches the wet, you hear yourself whimper and the similarities end.
Averaging about 50 degrees all year round, the Pacific here is home to gray whales, white sharks and numerous creatures like starfish and anemone. Really, it's great. Just very different from Hawai`i's Pacific. You can view it from afar and appreciate it's dramatic beauty - but good lord! Don't actually touch it.
The Mister and I had the opportunity to spend the weekend at a cottage in Oceanside, Oregon. I'd never been there before, always distracted by the bigger town of Tillamook and their cheese factory. The little town is nestled back into the cove and up the steep hills almost like a little white village in the Mediterranian.
Three rocks float just outside the reach of the beach. The largest is Shag, next is Finley and the outermost is called Storm rock.
I'm doing work for the owner of the place we are staying and needed to do research and so she gave me the key. A perk! Except for free shave ice, I never get perks. SeaHorse Hale Kai is very sweet large windowed duplex, a view of the ocean to die for, fireplace and multiple decks.
Down the cliff, 189 steps to the beach to find the tide ebbing. An otter poked his head out of the channel and watched us wave at him before slipping back into the frigid cold. They all thrive here those creatures. Even the ones who make this little town their home.
Later the next day a wall of fog rolled in. We watched it come across from the north and slowly swallow the tops of the three large rocks. A few more minutes passed and as we finished our breakfast, the ocean had dissappeared into the mist. Then the beach.