Friday, August 26, 2011

Life was a Beach...for a week



Klipsan Beach Life Saving Station – 

The place doesn’t have signage and doesn’t look like much on the outside, but is fantastic inside.  We had the downstairs unit which had a king bed, a pull-out couch, a cot and a long sofa.  We also brought our camping cots which the boys used one night to sleep on the porch.  Our friends had the upstairs unit (no pets) which had a King bed and a trundle bed with a pull-out couch.  Both units have kitchens with most necessities (we brought a wine cork and bought a metal strainer); cable, DVDs and VHS movies as well as lots (and lots) of books and board games. There’s also a laundry room, toys and games for the kids, sand toys and a hose for rinsing off the sand from feet (and the dog).  

Cell coverage is spotty; now you see it, now you don’t.  We had no coverage at the house, but just a few feet down the beach access road (and at the beach) we had full bars.  The router was down the first night so no email or internet which gave me a bit of a panic, but they fixed it the next day (reboot!) and we were up and running so I could upload photos to Facebook and check out day trips, maps, etc.  Yeah, I played a bit on FB too, although the coverage was sllloooooowwww.




It’s a short walk to the beach; as in maybe two minutes by foot.  The waves could be heard at night from the house and the sunsets were fantastic.  Most days were ‘gloomy’ and sometimes it burned off by afternoon; but we had two completely sunny beautiful days.  Regardless, the boys body-surfed every day.  The dog went into the water up to his chest and chased pelicans and seagulls equally.  He also chased anything the wind picked up, dug to his heart’s content and had to constantly be reprimanded for attempting to eat dead whatever-it-was on the beach.

We spotted an eagle at the roadside marker we stopped at to feed Stang and then saw another at our 2nd day to Beard’s Hollow.  We saw hawks and cormorants and cranes too.

Stang actually barked at us to stop the car and feed him.  He hasn’t eaten on road trips in the past so we were going to wait until we got to our destination.  He was having NONE of that and gave us the ‘Chewbacca’ growl at a certain point in our trip.  It was pretty funny; we fed him and he literally vacuumed it down in seconds flat.  

The weather, as usual, was sunny, windy and cold at the beach in August.  I didn’t bring enough warm clothing. Thankfully the place we’re staying had windbreakers we could borrow for the mornings – usually by afternoon it was warm enough to go without a jacket or sweatshirt. 


Foods (groceries) were EXPENSIVE.  I can’t decide if it’s just because it’s a ‘tourist’ town or because we bought staples that we already had at home.  I think we spent $400 in grocery-type items (produce, pancake mix, milk, eggs, bread, sandwich makings) in 6 days.  We also ate out two nights (Pizza & Chinese) but cooked the other four or had leftovers.  

My husband snores.  LOUDLY.  Thank the Lord for Tylenol PM and ear plugs.  It also helped that we had lots of exercise, fresh air and we were all pretty bone tired.

I wonder what people do for a living here.  There aren’t enough places to work for the residents to all make a living, not to mention that it’s a seasonal town and I’ll bet it’s pretty quiet October through April.  There isn’t a Wal-Mart or Target or large employer within a 25 minute drive; but I’m betting a lot of people work at least an hour commute away.  There were also a LOT of houses/property FOR SALE signs and I wonder how much is economy and how much is just attrition.

My idea for breakfast:  Cereal, bagels, yogurt, melon, milk, OJ.   His idea: Pancakes, bacon and eggs.  Every morning.

Blake is never allowed to have Mountain Dew.ever.again.  J The combination of scout songs, buzzed pre-teen and 6th-day-of-vacation is really not a good fit for mom’s sanity.  And the dog really doesn’t like to be “pantsed” (he doesn’t have pants so it was quite a sight).

People love our dog; we get more compliments on what a good-looking dog he is, followed by questions or memories of their own boxers growing up.  He (the dog) had a great time and is a very good travel dog.  He was exhausted when we got home and immediately crawled on his bed and started snoring.

Great finds on the Peninsula:  

Chen’s Chinese food – they don’t scrimp on quantity of food.  It wasn’t the best Chinese we’ve ever had, but their crab puffs, egg roll and “Happy Family” were outstanding.   http://www.chenslongbeach.com/

Chico’s Pizza – outstanding pizza, thin crust, lots of topping choices and a pretty okay salad bar plus arcade games and lots of seating.  They will deliver and also offer a ‘bake it yourself’ option.  We have eaten here every time we’ve come to Long Beach and it’s well worth it.  http://www.yelp.com/biz/chicos-pizza-parlor-long-beach

Skookum Surf – surf lessons, rentals (bikes too!).  Their website says one hour of instruction but their brochure says two and they definitely give two hours of quality, hands-on instruction with lots of instructors.  We had about 5 instructors for 20 people on the lesson.  Completely impressed with their staff and the boys had so much fun they want to do it again next year.  http://www.skookumsurf.com/index.html

Loose Caboose Diner – We’ve eaten here twice; both for breakfast.  Scrambles, biscuits & gravy, Eggs Benedict with crab, platter cakes and trains that run above your head.  Friendly staff, small seating area but well worth it.  http://www.yelp.com/biz/loose-kaboose-diner-long-beach

Scrappaccino – Tanning, fudge, souvenirs, espresso and scrapbook supplies.  We didn’t try the tanning but it’s a fun multi-functional place.  The only thing I might add in a perfect world would be wine… http://linktown.king5.com/biz/scrapaccino/long-beach/wa/98631/9478079
 
Marsh’s Free Museum – home of Jake the Alligator Boy and all kinds of touristy souvenirs and antiques, including old-time games, salt-water taffy in multiple flavors, shells, t-shirts and lots of kitschy stuff.  It’s a museum, it’s a gift shop, it’s a little shop of horrors.  http://marshsfreemuseum.com/

Go Karts & Krazy Kars – all the boys had fun, no matter what their age.  And, sometimes in the summer on weekdays when it’s not busy, they’ll cut you a deal on price.   http://www.longbeachgokarts.com/

Long Beach Coffee Roasters – free Wi-Fi (we used it until we had it available at the house), great coffee and near the Go Karts.  Try their Mexican Mocha, it is fantastic.  http://www.longbeachcoffee.com/

Jack’s Country Store – in real life it’s as awe-inspiring as the catalog, only you can actually touch all the stuff.  They have groceries and Dutch ovens and tin signs and BBQ supplies and Breyer collectible horses and a whole lot more.  I’m fond of saying that if they don’t have it you probably don’t need it.  Funniest find was “Anti-Monkey Butt Powder”.  Yeah, we bought some to go with our “Boudreaux’s Butt Paste”.  http://www.jackscountrystore.co/

We took day trips to Cape Disappointment and North Head Lighthouses; visitors couldn’t go inside either one (we were able to climb the stairs and see the light last year on our visit to North Head).  Cape Disappointment was quite a hike, but well worth the view and the time.  You can wander around to the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center as well.   To park at any of the Washington State parks you’ll need a “Discovery Pass” for $30 (good for 364 days from purchase date) or $10 per day.  

We also visited and ate at “Ol Bob’s” on the waterfront.  Spendy, but very good.  Saturdays has an outdoor market with everything from dog clothing to handcrafted walking sticks and jewelry.  

Another day trip to Astoria, Oregon to see the Columbia River Maritime Museum, eat at the “Wet Dog CafĂ©” and have our fuel pumped for us in Oregon.  We could have stayed longer and seen more but the boys wanted to body surf (again) so we headed home.

On our day home, we took the long way and drove north through Raymond and up to Hoquiam, via  Westport.  Not much to see, but we had a picnic lunch at Twin Rivers Park and then headed home.

Favorite memories were surfing and body surfing (Blake, Rogan), having a vacation with boys (Rogan – he has two younger sisters), Go-karts, flying the kite and beating up on the youngers (James – he didn’t really beat them up…much), watching the dog run in the sand and meet horses. one entire girls afternoon with Jen M. (me), seeing the eagles and the lighthouses (Russ). 

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Unexpected


I knew it was coming but it was still unexpected.  From the time we connected and realized that we had a bond, I knew the day would come.  But I still didn’t see it coming.  You didn’t say goodbye.  

Whether you read this or not, I have to get it out of my head and into print.  You changed me.  There are songs and words and phrases and moments that I will probably never, ever experience again without thinking of you.  There are things about me that will never be the same because I filter them through how you’d see it, what I learned from our time together.

I am different, yet the same because you made me different; see things through different eyes, speak with different words, and think with different thoughts.

If you’re lurking around my blog (like I’ve lurked around yours for a bit – hoping) wondering if I’ll say anything; strike out, hurl insults or lay blame; I want you to know that there is really nothing I would have changed about our very short time together.  We were honest, deep, true, intense, funny, caustic, angry, scared, and packed an entire lifetime of friendship into a microscopic span of time.

You made me cry and laugh and sigh and snort and wonder – You still do.  

It wasn’t perfect; nothing human is.  I still think that we were introduced through mutual friends, but destined by God to be friends.  That hasn’t changed in my mind either.

The break is still fresh, so there has yet to be a day when I don’t think of you or hear your voice in my head or wonder what you’d say, think, do, respond.  Maybe that will change; maybe it won’t.

If I’d had the chance to say goodbye, I’d tell you (in addition to all the words above) that I pray for you every day.  I pray that you’re safe and that the people you surround yourself with are honest and true and protective of you; because you deserve that.

There are lots of things you likely won’t miss about our friendship; but what I’ll miss is all the things that have and will happen that I won’t be able to share with you.  When one of us would be away for a few days; there was always an email waiting with a list of articles, thoughts or things to think or talk about upon return.

My list of things is just beginning, but it includes:
  • I check my cell phone to see if there are text messages or missed calls from you.  SEVERAL times a day.
  • I discovered that memoirs and autobiographies aren’t all that bad. 
  •  I watched a Steve Carrell movie that I actually enjoyed.  And I’ll probably watch it again – maybe even buy it.  I would have watched it with you.
  •  I think about you every time I hear a Sugarland song; or The Band Perry; or Rob Thomas/Matchbox 20. 
  • News articles that I think you would have found interesting just aren’t the same without you there to comment with me. 
  • Your birthday isn’t too far away.  I’ll think of you on that day and probably sing you Happy Birthday.  You won’t hear it and I won’t call because I couldn’t bear you hanging up on me.
  • If in the course of time you read something that makes you think of me; you can be pretty sure it made me think of you, too.
  • I don’t know how to delete our blog.  What do I do with all the half-written blogs we were going to write together?  Is it theft or plagiarism if I finish them myself and post them on my blog?
  • Am I supposed to just stop worrying about you? 
  • I want to post a new song I found but I realize that you would be the only one that would get it.
  • You were the only one that understood some of the things in my mind and didn’t hate me for those thoughts. 
I kept my promises to you.  I was honest, and never abandoned you.  I’m still here and I hope that you never forget that.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Stories I Only Tell My Friends Rob Lowe

I have only three things I hated about this book; he drops the “F” bomb frequently, there aren’t nearly enough photos and he’s a liberal.


But none of those things were enough to keep me from enjoying this book.  This book makes me wholly reconsider my distaste in memoirs/autobiographies. 
I have loved Rob Lowe from the moment my teeny-bopper heart laid eyes on him (yeah, he’s my age; it was still teen fan-lust).  I’ve watched most of his movies – even the forgettable ones.  I’ve said a few words of wonder or sadness at the various escapades, women and problems he’s dealt with over the years.  I haven’t watched most of his TV shows (West Wing, Brothers & Sisters) as they just haven’t interested me; but I have always loved Rob Lowe.

He’s managed to hang on, make it work, re-invent himself through decades of stardom; the ups, the downs the in-betweens.  He talks frankly and genuinely about his attempts to hide from relationships, drama, hurt; while self-medicating and dealing with a world that is shallow and scary and unbalanced:  his mother’s marriages (and divorces), his brothers, his friends, his agents, rehab and meeting his wife.

He explains Malibu and the Hollywood culture in terms that are real; agents that do okay, but not their best; directors who are a bit kooky, but have their own vision; actors/actresses that made their own ways despite the agents and the directors and the competition and anxiety that they all have to deal with. 
Along the way he meets John Kennedy Jr., Liza Minnelli, Robert Wagner, Cary Grant, Darryl Hannah, Tom Cruise, the entire Sheen/Estevez family, Princess Stephanie – as well as a list of others – along with a roll of directors and producers that reads like credit lines at the end of a film.  

He talks frequently about stars that were kind and encouraging, what he learned from films and actors and mistakes and how his wife and sons have changed him in innumerable ways.  He writes about never fitting in and how acting was what made him whole, yet what created an even further divide in being normal.

It was difficult to put down.  Whether the words were his or he was assisted by a ghost-writer (although I can almost hear him say the words that are written with his distinctive voice), it’s a terrific book and a great insight into the perils and challenges he’s faced and the consequences and rewards he’s earned. 

Next time Rob?  Put in more photos and I'll completely forgive the fact that you supported Dukakis.