I want to start by saying that I just reread part of my Grandma Bennett’s diary. They did go to the Bonneville Dam where we stopped. They saw all that we saw. And they talked about the sturgeons too. I have a hard time reading some of her diary. I printed it as dark as I could so I am not sure but I was kind of happy to see they did go there.

I started this with a timeline goal in mind. Last night I got a little anxious and talked about moving things faster. Jay just lets me talk it out with him. We woke up to the ocean outside our window and a fun breakfast. (No one does fruit salads like Oregon and Washington. And they are my favorite!!). At breakfast I told Jay that we needed to slow back down. We have time. This trip has been so much more than I dreamed it would be!! And we are just enjoying it together. He said he was thinking that but he wants me to set the pace.

After a call with the Grandkids this morning and a request for sea shells we took a beautiful walk on the beach. We are taking our time getting ready to leave. Next to our great friends, this has been our favorite place to stay so far. As my Mom said in her letter, we sleep good and wake well rested!!

We left Lincoln City at 11 and headed down the 101. To say the views were spectacular is an understatement. I was just blown away by the beauty. We stopped at a look out just so I could get a picture of the color of the ocean. It is not that turquoise blue where we stayed last night or where we are tonight. The trees and mountains all around were just gorgeous also. I can’t wait to see the red woods. I kept saying the trees seemed so big. Then I realized you can drive a car through a redwood.

I have to give Jay rock star status for doing most all the driving and handling it like a pro. He did all the driving today. I had some anxiety for him with all the curves and the traffic in some spots. haha! We are at Gold Beach for the night. None of the hotels are on the water like last night but we do have an ocean view. We drove a lot today so we are kind of laying low tonight relaxing and listening to the ocean.

I have been thinking a lot about my parents today. I was so glad I got my Mom’s letter. It gave me the idea to take this trip. But more than that she talks so much about the beauty she saw here. And she loved climate. Her writing was so positive and happy. I like to think she was happy and enjoying herself when she died. My Grandma Bennett also seemed to be enjoying her trip and the beauty around her.