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The Furies
I set out Friday on another adventure, this time to the beach. A friend recently returned from several days along the Oregon coast and I couldn’t get it out of mind.
I haven’t been great company lately. It’s an odd thing for me to feel so unmoored for so long, but I think I’ve been doing all the right things. Taking better care of myself is often about finding space and time to just sit with whatever is happening in my world. The beach is perfect. It’s a place of perspective. The furies have a life of their own if you let them in. The trick then, is to not let them in.
Life seems full of metaphors lately. That, or I’m trying to make sense of some crazy coincidences. My android auto app has been so unreliable lately. I need it for the GPS and I need it to play my audiobooks from the library through my car speakers. It drops from my screen just past Olympia and it will not reconnect. I hit a fog bank in Centralia and Chehalis and without my traffic screen I don’t remember where I leave I-5. I’m terrible with directions. I know it’s miles away, but if I miss it, I’m stuck going through Portland and I don’t want to do that. No map, lots of fog, the Universe is asking me to trust my instincts and I laugh out loud. Really. I did.
When the fog lifts, I see fire on the horizon to the east. It’s just a ribbon, but it’s a brilliant orange and I settle into whatever the day will bring. There are still lots of little blue squares on my fuel gauge and even without my book to listen to, I’m happy.
I think I need to be on HWY30, so I do what I can to get there. I know for sure I pass the exit I took the other day on my way home. (There had been a sign for Rainbow Falls State Park and I headed that direction since I had never been. As I drove that day, I passed the most amazing sight. Hundreds of poplar trees. Hundreds. In perfect rows. It was so beautiful. I learned later that it was indeed a poplar tree farm. Who knew there was such a thing? There is also quite a history to the name and property. You can read about it here. I’ll stop next time. Mesmerizing.)
Past Longview I cross the bridge that will take me into Oregon. The water is like glass and the puffy clouds, like a painting. I’m noticing hawks everywhere on this drive. Winter silhouettes make it easy to see these raptors. I count a dozen during my day.
I follow signs for Seaside and stroll down to the beach when I arrive. For a Friday in January it’s quite busy and I don’t linger. I’m not here for the people. Cannon Beach is busy too. At the south end of town I find a spot to park and walk out to Haystack Rock. I get caught in a fast moving creeper wave and find myself soaked to my knees. Not what I had planned. I hop back in the car and head toward Manzanita.
In Manzanita I’m looking forward to lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, Yolk. I drive past and spy the sign on the door Closed until Feb 3rd. Somehow I had to laugh. I wasn’t surprised. Disappointed? Yes. Surprised? No. Before I head down to the beach I get a call from Asurion, the people with my camera. They tell me they can’t fix it and have to send it to Nikon for repair. Another 3-4 weeks. What? No. I tell them. They need to call me with other options. Another month is ridiculous. 2-4 business days for a call back. Sigh. What can I do?
Manzanita is busy too. Too busy to fully enjoy, although all of the Oregon beaches I spent time at were wonderful. Arcadia Beach is tucked in between Cannon Beach and Manzanita and is small, but might be a new favorite stop. Not many people and all the drama you’d expect from this dazzling left coast state.
I end my day back in Washington at Three of Earth Farm on Seminary Hill in Centralia. Ahhh, bliss.
I love this place so much. My dear friend has gone to great lengths to create, not just a refuge, but an experience. The space is warm and welcoming and the breakfast is a perfect combination of local yogurt, homemade applesauce and baked goods that will leave you wanting for more. The bed is cozy and the views of Mt St Helens are just so lovely. There is history in this space. Browse the books. Bask in the glow. You aren’t just looking at the art, you’re in the very midst of it. It becomes you in so many ways.
The property is at the edge of the woods. The trails take you through mossy, old growth trees and sword fern groves. These woods are their own economy and the leaves still clinging or fallen, the currency. It is there that you recognize what it is to be rich. You can find it online here. Tell Gretchen that Bonnie sent you. You won’t be disappointed.
There are places where the moss hangs from the branches like prayer flags. There is a lot to worship out here in this lovely tree cathedral.
Airbnb.com/h/3ofearthfarm
Furies be gone. Time to usher them out. I see an opening just ahead …
15 Comments on “The Furies”
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I do love your determination to find your true joyous self in the middle of an unmooring. The way all those things were going wrong and you just laughed is good. You’re not going to fall for those weak attempts by dark spirits to ruin your day! That soaking must have been COLD. Damn it’s been cold here. Did you wave, when you were on the bridge headed for Oregon? My house is directly in line with the bridge, right on the other side of the ridge in front of you, if you could fly over the top, like one of those hawks. I’m glad you ended with an opening, but you knew it would be there eventually, or you wouldn’t have laughed at the obstacles, which means you are a pretty strong woman, and I am glad you are in the blogosphere.
I thought of you driving that way! My niece is just over in St Helens and I missed her too. Next time! I’m learning (not intentionally) the art of the pivot this year. I hope I am a good student. Or, good enough anyway. Thanks for writing.
I love that poplar forest on hwy 6 so much. I thought I read a few years ago it was going to be cut, but I guess not. Or maybe they just do a portion at a time. I’m glad it wasn’t! I’ve always imagined a medieval rumpus in there. Sadly, you can’t go into it. My parents grave sites are at the historic cemetery just beyond it. You really did take the scenic route! Out to Raymond then south? It’s my favorite highway, but wouldn’t have thought to go that route to the Oregon coast. (I use hwy 4 from Longview, on the north side of the river.) You passed that reserve with the art I went to a while back. I was thinking of going to Cannon Beach this week, but hmm, peopley huh? Thank you for the Three of Earth shout out!
Wouldn’t it make for a perfect photo shoot? And who says you can’t go in? 😊 I was mesmerized. Interesting history of the name. Yes, Cannon Beach was crawling with people. I just drove past everyone, but I noted the sheer number. Surprising! Thank you again for a really wonderful stay. The calm has remained. A true sanctuary. I’m grateful ♡
Looks like you had a wonderful getaway, Bonnie. The beach photos make me want to go there. I still use a Garmin GPS unit that plugs into the cigarette lighter. It’s more reliable than a phone. 🙂
It was a good deep breath. There is something about the waves … Yeah, that phone/GPS thing makes me want to dig out an old Thomas Guide and throw it in the back “just in case”. Thanks for dropping by. In another month I’ll be ready for Bend!
Lovely all. Damn camera news, but these photos are great too. The opening! I’ve felt it too from your post.
Thanks, Manja. Openings are always there I think. We may not always see them right away, but … we gotta keep our eyes open, yes? Thanks for being here.
Likewise.
The images you ‘painted’ with words and photos were just what I needed. Your good friend needs to guide me in some fun and warm house decorating. What a beautiful place to stay! Thanks for the motivation to get out and see more of the world.
You could book yourself a couple nights away. The Seminary Hill Natural area is great and historic Centralia is a nice stroll. You can’t help but leave inspired by the space!
So good, so glad you got out, happy you found at least some quiet beaches. We started out going to the northern beaches, but found that anything at the tail end of a highway from the cities was just too busy, a different sort of beach experience. Perhaps another few outings and inadvertent baptisms and the furies will find some rest. As for the camera, you sure are making do – your photos are another kind of submersion in color and light. Looking forward to my own stay at threeofearth.
Yes, I’m with you on finding the smaller, quieter beaches. I don’t remember January being such a busy time, especially on a weekday. The furies are calmer after beautiful beaches, thoughtful conversstion and the quiet woods. I think you’ll enjoy your time so much.
You left out a word in all those #tags…
#Restless…*
Ahh, yes. But the furies eat restlessness for breakfast …