Going coastal

 Sometimes I forget what it's like to not be in the middle of deliveries
or knee deep in phone calls taking/placing orders. 

Hectic pace, long days,

 stressing about anything and everything whether or not you need to. 

Such is the life of someone running a small business.

 Every once in awhile I get a reminder that there is a whole other world outside of work:

delivering wedding cakes to a winery in the countryside, eating dinner under the oak tree at Kruger's Farm, taking a sip of the first fresh cider of the season from Skurdahl Farms.

(mmmmm, it's almost fresh Cider time again...drool)

I begin to feel my self decompress a bit. 

If you work in the baking industry or run a small business
more often than not, those moments are very few and far between
but every now and then 

the stars align and you can slip into a different reality for a few days.

My version this year was to go Coastal!

No, not in a "Heeere's Johnny!" sort of a way. 

I actually went to the coast.

Destination Newport.

Soooooooo, here's some of the vacation pics...

(and yes, I am working on a steampunk post I promise)

If you have always driven past this place east of Lincoln City on Hwy 18, then stop next time. 

Excellent Cinnamon Rolls, Molasses bread, and hash browns.

 

There was this gorgeous antique delivery van sitting outside. 

It's been converted to a mini RV!

The guy who owns it said that he has a bed and bathroom in there. Wow!

Coast!

 In reality, it's a tree stump but,

it looks like a sea monster clawing it's way onto the beach, no?

 

Cat! On the Beach!

(Okay, technically on the railing on a dune but still)

 Yaquina Head lighthouse.

 Lighthouse interior.

 Local flora

Local seating

Locals

 

I love watching the fog roll in and out-one moment bright sun blinding you, the next? 

You can't see the person walking next to you...

which also means it's a really good idea 

to pay attention to when the tides are going in and out. FYI

When the fog envelopes you, it reminds me of softly falling snow;

all sounds are softened, even the surf is muted.

 Another local hanging out.

The "friendly naturalists" cracked me up for some reason.

And, of course, the standard go to picture...

Sunset.