At Home By the Sea

I’m back from our long weekend at the Oregon Coast, and I have so much to tell you!  Once again, my inlaws generously allowed us the use of their new home in Depoe Bay-home to the world’s smallest harbor.

(Photo sourced from internet)

We visited nearby Beverly Beach several times-for long walks and beachcombing.  I found the rock formations to be incredibly interesting as well!

 

I saw a tiki face in this particular formation-and Amy saw a skull with part of the skeleton attached…

 

Amy had fun jumping from one rock to another, and Willow did too-until she landed in a deep puddle and had to be hauled out, soaked and shivering.  I spared her the humiliation of having her picture taken…

 

I loved this photo of Amy and her reflection.  This beautiful child of mine has the most uncanny knack for dressing in harmony with her surroundings.   Her jacket matched the water and sky so well I sometimes mistook her for part of the lovely scenery!

 

This formation reminded both of us of a huge crab claw.

 

And these rocks have a definite volcanic look to them. Studying the geological history of this beach would be extremely interesting.

 

At first glance I thought this must be a manmade arrangement of stones, but once again it turned out to be the handiwork of Mother Nature.  I’m simply at a loss for words!

 

It’s been two years since the devastating tsunami struck Japan, and debris from that catastrophe is still washing ashore all along west coast beaches.  Stuart found this green bottle with Japanese writing on it, and I decided it would make an interesting addition to my outdoor “bottle garden”.  Debris like this can have a negative impact on local marine life because of the highly invasive non native species of plants and animals that have hitched a ride clear across the Pacific.   You can see some small creatures attached near the bottle cap. 

The rock containing shell fragments is one I picked up because I admired the contrast of colors and textures.

 

I bought this trio of glass fishing floats at a souvenir shop.  They are for decoration only, but every once in a while the real thing-highly collectible and worth a bit of money-washes up on the beach. I hung my floats on the front porch where I’m reminded of the sea every time I look at them.

 

Some other shells, pieces of beach glass, and agates that the three of us found.  I put them in an old fish bowl.

 

During this visit we were lucky to see a variety of wildlife, such as groups of seals, whale spouts from migrating wales as they swam far out at sea, and these birds-clinging to the rock face just yards above the pounding surf. 

 

And then there was Kona.  With a tennis ball to play with, and a stretch of nice wet sand, she was completely at home on the beach. 

I think we need to go back.