After 27 years are we there yet?

It wasn’t that far of a drive, only from San Clemente to Garden Grove.  Back in those days probably not more than a 1/2 hour or 45 minutes.  It was the road between our house and Grandma and Grandpa’s.  But back than it seemed to take forever.  In unison my brother and I would yell from the back seat, “Are we there yet?”  I am sure to my mom and dad it seemed like we would keep saying it repeatedly from the moment we got into the car until we finally hit the driveway of Gram and Gramps.  As time has marched on, trips to Colorado, drives to Seattle, flights to Japan, all found my kids asking, chanting, yelling, crying, the same phrase, over and over and over again.  “Are we there yet?”

Last night Darla and I went out to celebrate our 27th anniversary.  Twenty Seven years of living with, changing with, growing with, learning with, , loving with,  fighting with, working with, each other.  As we talked about the past, and we talked about today, and we talked about the things we wished for and wanted to work towards, I found myself saying, “Are we there yet?”  After 27 years, you would think that we should have arrived.  Darla gave me a card last night that in a funny way poked fun at how much work our marriage has taken (and I am sure every marriage as well).  You would think with all the work we have put in we would have perfected the art of marriage by now.  But it appears we may have at least 27 more years of work ahead of us.

I have to say that on this trip called Darla and Rick, there have been many amazing stops along the way.  There have been a few detours and flat tires.  We have changed the route more than once, but not the destination.  It has definitely been an adventure.  As we talked over dinner I asked if Darla wanted to sign up for 27 more years, neither of us were sure we could commit that long, but we did both sign up for another year with an option for more after that, if we still like each other.

Guess I’ll keep yelling from the back seat as we go along, “Are we there yet?”  Here is to hoping we all arrive someday. Love you Darla  

An Attempt at Art from the Beach

Last week found be at one of my favorite places, Cape Kiwanda on the Northern Oregon Coast.  These are a few of the captures I was able to come home with.Yoga high above the water

Raging OceanNot the sandy shoreBackside of the DuneThe lifting of the fogLow Tide at DawnEvening Kite Fly

Morning at the Beach- and a few pictures

Coffee pot creating an awesome aroma across the  room, water running in the bathroom as teeth get brushed, groggy hoarse voices complaining about the noise waking them up, the kite flyers heading to the beach, and the runners planning which direction to head out.  These are the sounds of morning.  As I woke up this morning the fog was thick outside the window, seagulls were flying  somewhere near by, and a cool breeze was coming through the window. As a smile slowly crossed my face I found myself thinking, I’m not in Portland.  I’m not very far from Portland, maybe only 90 miles or so, still within cell phone range, but I might as well be on another continent. I am away, I am on vacation, I am not doing the normal routine.  I will not be mowing the lawn today, or cleaning the bathroom, or going grocery shopping.  I will be lazy, maybe go take a few pictures, probably drink a beer or two or ……., and definitely laugh, smile and enjoy.  This is the beach. And the first thought crossing my mind is why am I spending time on this computer blogging/ Good question, enjoy your day.     

Lincoln City Skate Park

So what do you do on a SamFam vacation?  That depends on who you are and what you like doing.  If your one half of the crowd you head to the Outlet Mall.  If your the other half you head to the Lincoln Skate Park.  Evan and Gray spent there time skating while Greg and I just sat and remembered what it was like to be a little less afraid of bumps and bruises.  I decided to put the camera down for a bit, and try catching some video from my blackberry.  Not to bad.  Here are a few clips from the outing.

A New Way to Vacation

This week we are trying something new.  Darla and I wanted to take a few days off to relax and rejuvenate.  Seems we can get moving so fast we forget to breathe, and that is really no way to live.  A few months back Darla decided to rent a beach house.  She also decided to invite a few people to come along.  To us, it didn’t matter if they came or not.  We were going on a vacation of sorts, and if others wanted to join us they were welcome to.  If they decided not to come we were still going.  Goal of the time, sleep, relax, connect, enjoy, get sunburned, maybe surf, maybe take pictures, maybe do things that we want to do.

Today, the beach house had Me and Darla, our three boys, one dtr in law, two grandma’s, two grandpas, a brother and his family and a sister and her family.  And at the moment, we are all out doing our own thing.  Some are flying kites, some are climbing sand dunes, a few are visiting shops, and Dar and I are sitting in a coffee shop, doing some work, looking at the ocean, and enjoying doing nothing but what we want to be doing.

Yesterday Darla and Rachel took a run, while Derek and I hit the Pelican Pub.  Scottish Ale was flowing (probably a good idea to stand up every once and a while to see if you can still balance).  We sat outside watching the waves, talking about life, and enjoying good beer. I decided I enjoy having a married son and it’s fun to hear how his life is going and what he thinks about.

I like this new way of doing vacation.  I don’t feel like I have to entertain or make sure people are having a good time.  After all, I am providing the location and my goal was to sleep, relax, connect, enjoy, get sunburned, maybe surf, maybe take pictures, maybe do things that we want to do, and that is exactly what I am doing.  And before I take to much credit, it was really all Darla’s idea.  She is so smart some times.