Our February adventure at the coast was different in a number of ways.

First, we decided to stay over a Sunday and Monday night instead of a weekend, which changed the ebb and flow of tourists. On the drive out, most were “going home” driving in the opposite direction.

Secondly, while we are used to rain, we did not expect horizontal rain which turned our windows into camera filters.  I call this rain filter, “Monet” because it reminds me of paintings by Claude Monet.  The splashing against the windows was soothing and I think gave the ocean a dreamy effect.  Once the horizontal rain stopped, we had very clean windows.

Lastly, our usual eating spots were closed, so we explored different places.  While I like to hold up in the hotel (we paid for it, I want to BE in it) we took some trips to walk around the local mall and also eat at a famous landmark, Mo’s.

The food was good and the place uncrowded.  On Monday morning we ate at restaurant that had recently changed hands.  It was decked out with surf boards and nets…entitled “Macadangdang’s Reefside Bar and Grill.”  What a name!  We asked about the history of the word “macadangdang” but the new owners just shrugged and said, “It’s what the last owner called it.”

The service was friendly and the food hearty.  But that word – still a mystery.  A bit of advice: If you look up the word in the Urban dictionary, you may choose not to eat there.  I assure you, the food is fine.  The owners are about the get a smoker in and the menu will change to include BBQ. *happy dance*

While some things were different, there were many things the same.  Two little girls squealing as they chased the waves and were chased back.  Loads of soaring seagulls and floating black birds.  “Our” seal even made a showing.  We were worried we’d miss it.

Wednesday morning we arose at low tide to see all the branches, seaweed, and logs that the surf had left on the sand during the storm.

As we got ready to leave, I was reminded of my dad, who loved the ocean as I do.  He would say, “I wonder how long it would take for me to get tired of this view.”

I wonder that, too, dad.  I wonder that, too.

Our third monthly trip to the coast is a rare view of the winter ocean since we rarely come over so close to Christmas.  First, I’m not so keen about traveling the pass if we have to use chains.  Second, the list of “to do’s” for Christmas is getting rather long.  Are we crazy to take off three days the week before?

We are committed to our “Year at the Coast” as explained in an earlier blog.  Off we go, chains in the trunk.

We arrive to a gray sky, but the 45 degrees make the place seem downright balmy!  Instead of seagulls hogging the sand, there are these black birds sitting between the first and second waves.  HUNDREDS of them….just sitting there.  Dawn to dusk  Anyone who knows bird habits may have a clue to these little sturdy birds.

I watch the waves as the “to do” list melts away.  We enjoy three days of art work and reading.  The TV is rarely on and we don’t take any day trips.  We simply relax.

Robert sketches waves while I work on my “Goldfish Diaries” cartoon series.  Later we switch out to books, then back to art.  What bliss.

I get up early on the last day to watch the ocean at sunrise.  Since we face the Pacific on the west coast, the sun rises in back of us.  However, the ocean changes as the sun rises and begins to peek over our hotel.  It hits one wave at a time turning it a glowing white until the sun is high enough to  turn all the waves white.  A wonderful, slow, peaceful transition.

What an incredible winter holiday.