Oregon sunrise
Last year for my mother’s 80th birthday we were so lucky with the weather on the Oregon coast that we thought we’d push our luck and try it again. This Summer and Fall have been warmer than usual, no freezes yet, so the leaf peeping was disappointing, but not the sunrises, sunsets or pleasant temperatures.
Only a few leaves were turning colors.
A drive through the woods produced only a few vine maple leaves turning colors, but every morning we had beautiful sunrises with the low, spooky fog that heralds the arrival of Halloween. Continuing a long-standing tradition, I carved a pumpkin sitting on the floor of my mother’s kitchen.
Carving a pumpkin
My lantern pumpkin with the moon
The Oregon October moon.
Early morning fog, a sign of Halloween
Our luck held, and we had pleasant weather at the beach. This year we rented a house on Manzanita Beach. Manzanita is one of the most dog friendly places I’ve visited. They have a Muttzanita festival and elect a dog mayor. We ran into the doggie mayor on the street, a very handsome 14-year-old dalmatian.
Dickens won the Muttzanita mayor
Manzanita Beach
My sister and the parade of dogs. Our family gatherings always include our four legged family members.
Phoebe, looking pretty good for 16 years.
Although born and raised in Oregon, I don’t remember ever seeing whales from the beach before. But we did this time. Or rather, we saw whale spouts and fins, plus a pod of dolphins. They hung around right off the beach for about an hour as we sipped our sunset wine. It was warm enough one evening to go in short sleeves on the beach, which in Oregon in October is pretty darn nice.
The Pacific Ocean
True love from a dog can only be earned.
Whale watching on a very pleasant October afternoon
My mom on her 81st birthday
Sunset at Manzanita beach
A Traveler's Photo Journal 