As busy as last month was at the coast, it was equally busy in September.  Hubs and I drove out on a Sunday, around noon, and are shocked with the traffic leaving.  “I wonder if they know something we don’t,” I teased.

Once at our cozy hotel, The Sandcastle, we chatted with the host at the front desk.  She said that the last two weekends had been full for the hotel and the entire town.  There appears to be an app (of course there is) that let’s one know hotel availability.  Well, the town has been full up the last few weekends.

We unpacked and knew we’d be in for a rainy three days.  Rain does not spoil the coast, it is just a different way to enjoy it.

It was hard to keep up with the weather Sunday and Monday since it changed so quickly.

There was something brewing from the north and we could see rain showers through the clouds.  “Our” seal went back and forth peeking at anyone who strolled by.  Hubs went out a couple of times to gather rocks or shells and spend time near the ocean’s edge.

We usually close the drapes when it turns dark, because we have learned from experience that if you leave the drapes and lights on….your large window becomes a TV show for those on the beach.  But Monday night was different.  We heard about a storm moving in and learned there might be lightening.

I understand that this is no big deal for those used to thunder storms.  But in the valley, we get lightening and thunder about three times a year, if that.  We were eager for a show.

The thunder rolled and the lightening struck, zig-zagging into the ocean from time to time.  Mostly, we saw lights behind clouds, but it was still very exciting.  It was a first for us both.

Tuesday morning around 7 AM we heard what sounded like a bolt of lightening and then hail descended.  I was first to the window, cell phone in hand.  Hubs was growling in the bedroom about the light switch.  What???

Then we tried another then another.  No electricity.  We tried to call the desk.  No phone, no wifi.  Hummmmm.  Hubs went down to the office and learned the whole hotel had lost power.  Not only that, the town along main street had lost power as well.

We bundled up and just enjoyed the view.  The electricity was back on within three hours, so we felt rather lucky.

The storm had re-arranged the view.  New rivulets twisted to the north.  Tiny pipers and large seagulls alike were feasting.  Mounds of seaweed had been tossed on the sand.

The tide, which had been a good distance from the hotel, delivered a huge trunk near the back door.  Click on the link below to see a wave I caught from our hotel window.

We left at 11:00 feeling rejuvenated, another wonderful three days at the coast.

Hubs and I took off Sunday on a mini-road trip.  We stopped by a food cart and had a picnic lunch of lavender lemonade and grilled cheese sandwiches.  After enjoying our meal, we kept going…weaving through little towns that we had not visited in years.  It was amazing to me how housing developments appeared to have cropped up overnight.

We visited a small town called “Falls City” which to our observation had neither a fall or city.  As tiny of a town as it is….. it is the home of an incredible bakery and there was quite an event going on. The last Sunday of each month in the summer, they have a community pizza party.  We talked to some there and people come from miles just to buy these pizzas.  It was standing room only (inside and out) so we were on our way.

We explored a couple of other towns before coming home.  Sunshine and the open road…a summer treat.

A little warmer, a little busier….our June stay at the coast was lovely.  We didn’t get out as much, having such an incredible view from our hotel room.  I tell Robert that we have the biggest flat-screen anyone could hope for.

There is something about being away.  Although I procrastinate…when at home I always have this mental to-do list that vexes me.  It taps my shoulder as if to say this or that should be attended to.  But in a hotel room, there is no to-do list.

We each had interesting books to read and I split my time between the view and reading.  What a delight!

Even when one is not facing the ocean, the sounds tempt you to take a mid-day nap.

The waves seemed rather far out even at high tide.  I awoke early on Thursday morning to see what low tide really looked like.  It looked as if the ocean had been peeled back in the night. Birds circled to see what was uncovered.  Folks were out with buckets and bags scanning the rocks for treasures.

Our seal did not show, but on the first day I saw a whale spout.  I watched the journey south to north as I saw one spout after another.  I never saw a back or tail, but I’m sure it was a whale.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

The 26 mph wind challenged some of the walkers.  We watched a couple with trick kites almost lift off the sand.  Equally entertaining were the two kite surfers who took advantage of the wind to propel them on the water.

At one point I looked up from my book and was rewarded with two beautiful horses galloping up the beach.  One rider took care of her horse and steered the other with such grace.  They moved together to avoid waves and runners.  They took my breath away. Most entertaining were the dogs  and little ones who were beyond excited about being on the beach.  Dogs pulled at leashes yearning to all out run.  Little ones played tag with the waves.

This year-long vacation has been so satisfying.  Three more months and we will have reached our goal of staying at the coast once a month for a full year.