Gal's Getaway

One of my best friends in the world is Christy Knight. We met at a time when we both really needed a friend; we were each others' lifelines during the new-mothers-with-small-baby-girls phase. Since then we've kept very much in touch, no matter where I've lived (they've stayed in Salt Lake). She is a deep soul, a kind, creative, talented mother, and one of the best women on the planet.  So when she called me to ask if I would mind accompanying her on a trip to her happy place, Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast, with her other two lifelong best friends (Nicole and Nicolle - I know, funny), it was a no brainer. I was totally in.

 



After flying in to the Portland airport, we stocked up on fruit, cheese, and bread at the Portland farmers market, made a pilgrimage to the Tillamook cheese factory where I discovered a new passion for their caramel butter pecan ice cream, then drove north to Cannon beach. We were right on the coast - here's the view from my bedroom window. Just being there was complete therapy. Add three instant soul mates, great food, no agenda, a massage and daily walks on the beach. Heavenly.

 

Yes, in case you were wondering, this IS the beach where they filmed Goonies. I did my best Sloth impersonation to just honor the moment. "Baby... Ruth!"

Do NOT miss the gingerbread waffles at the Lazy Susan cafe. Oh. My. Word.

Unlike what some girl trips may be, ours was a total husband love fest. We must all be pretty happily married because we were talking about our husbands, in only the most loving ways, most of the time. This is the pic we each sent our other halves while we were away. After exploring the tide pools and petting all the dogs. I do want to come back here with my kids someday - they would have a blast! 

Hiking at Ecola State Park.

 

There were blackberries everywhere; between that and the sunny/cloudy/dappled weather, I had Ireland on my mind much of the time. I ate blackberries for breakfast during a solitary wander one morning and had a little "I love Ireland" moment to myself.

 

And we came back recharged, slightly chubbier, and (for me) talked out since all we did for the four days was eat, talk, mosey, talk some more, sleep, eat again, take a few pictures, talk, admire the view, chat over dinner, read, talk, and take naps. It was lovely.