I was so glad when Dad woke up. Once he finished I got up and got dressed. We left at 7 a.m. We took our time and cruised along the Oregon coast. We drove to Waldport looking for a breakfast. With help of the Yelp app we looked for The Sea Dog Bakery. We turned around three times, missing the unmarked corner cafe until I noticed a sign that simply read "Bakery".
Leaving Newport happy
Roadside beach
Path leading to beach
Returning from beach
Another roadside beach
Found it at last!
We immediately fell in love with the place. It had the defining touch of being a local establishment. No fancy frills but clean and open. I ordered the Kermit the Frog croissant breakfast sandwich which consisted of egg, provolone cheese and avocados. Also ordered a side of crispy bacon. Delicious.
Mom's oatmeal
My Kermit the Frog
We continued our drive along the coast. The beaches were storybook beautiful...an Agatha Christie mystery. They day was overcast, gray and almost misty. The mountainside with myrtle trees and pines looked rugged with a touch of softness. Upon reaching Florence the sun parted the clouds, warming the temperature a bit. Dad pulled up to a Fred Meyer gas station. I suggested we check out their grocery store while we were here. To our amazement we discovered it is the same franchise that owns the jewelry store that Mom loves so much. Mom was ecstatic! Dad and I went in search for the restroom while Mom bee-lined it to the jewelry. Dad then stopped at the electronic's section while I went to Peet's coffee and order a cup of hot jasmine tea. Also purchased two nice large coffee mugs.
Mom found a white pearl bracelet on sale--a ridiculously good sale--and asked Dad for his credit card. Since I had told her she can pick out what she wanted for Mother's Day, she took the opportunity to also choose a pair of chocolate pearl studs and a matching bracelet. I bought those for her and she immediately wore them. She admired them and was absolutely thrilled to have them. In the car I tried on the white pearl bracelet while Mom continued to examine the earrings she wore in the car mirror.
Having seen numerous espresso shacks
such as these, Dad decided to try one.
The owner declared hers was the best.
Construction ahead
We stopped around noon at another little town to use the restroom. Dad bought us chips (my favorite kind, Kettle's black pepper), ice cream for him, and strawberries. That was our lunch. The strawberries tasted sun-warmed with a sweetness that matched their red flesh. By 3 p.m. we crossed over into California. Ugh...the scenery changed drastically. Oregon was so lovely with it's brooding mountains, crashing waves, and mysterious mists. California was all sunshine and wilted grass.
Redwoods
We're staying in Crescent City tonight. The hotel's facade resembled a lemon yellow Alamo. Surprisingly our room was unusually spacious and reassuringly clean. We ate dinner at The Thai House. Then we strolled along the beach as the sunset glistened upon the water. It felt so good to be walking.
Dinner at The Thai House
Strolling the beach
*All photography were taken with my iPhone.
© 2010 Sriprae P. McDonald
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