We are not shy about proclaiming our great love for off-season camping. Nearly empty campgrounds and open beaches bring a smile to our face and joy to our heart. Add in a full moon, mid-50’s temps and no rain (in Oregon in January!) and we were in. For the first time in nearly two years we were joined by Jim’s sister Wendy, her husband and Jim’s best friend, Ken, and their two furbabies, Jenny and Lexi. Ken had recently returned from his second deployment in two years and also included a few of people in his unit, who joined in with their families.
Cape Lookout, an old favorite, was the chosen spot for their fantastic beach, great hiking, and easy beach access. This year seems to be the year to slow down and, in spite of several different deadlines looming, we made a pact to simply relax and enjoy the weekend. I am proud to say that not a single bit of writing or homework occurred! Instead, the weekend was filled with beach walks, communal meals, and long evenings around the campfire. Sunny afternoons called for surf fishing and, in my case,…nothing. My mind, generally running in ten different directions with mental lists, remained quiet. I sat with the dogs, watching Jim fishing, totally relaxed.
Sunday evening threw us back into our mad cycle of homework, blogging and writing, but the weekend proved to be just the tonic needed to refresh the mind AND body.
Putting everything on the back burner for a weekend retreat. Priceless!
