Portland to the Coast

That's funny. I saw that heart in the sand last night as we were walking out to make a fire and watch the sunset on the beach. I said, "Hey, Colin! Look! Someone made a heart in the sand out of bull kelp!" To which Colin replied, "Oh, someone is more impressive than I am."

Anyway, we are at the coast and it really is as beautiful as everyone has been telling us. Rocky cliffs, rolling hills speckled with evergreens (only speckled because everything is heavily logged around here), and pretty sandy beaches. We are being blessed with sunny weather again today and we will head over to Oswald West State Park.

The best place to visit in Portland! 

After a week at Dara and Mike's house, we felt it was time to get out of their hair. As much as we were enjoying their company and the warm shelter of their cute house, we didn't want to overstay our welcome. But we had an awesome time hanging out and riding around Portland with them (and Pumpkin). It was great to get shown around town by a couple who really loves where they live.

On Sunday Kate and Josh took us to Opal Creek for hiking and wild mushroom foraging. It was absolutely gorgeous hike (or "dreamy," as Kate would put it), and we were lucky to have sunshine streaming through the trees at us. Had it been about 50 degrees warmer, I might have thought it was a nice day for swimming. Colin and Josh, however, thought it was just fine as it was, and each took a dip in the painfully cold water. Yikes!

Josh contemplating the plunge

The other highlights of the day were a picnic in a sunny meadow and Josh showing us how to find wild hedgehog mushrooms in the moss. Colin had an expert eye for mushrooms and managed to find some good ones. Josh kindly gave us half of the day's finds to take home, along with instructions on how to best wash and cook them. We ate them the following morning in a tofu, egg, spinach, mushroom scramble, and they were actually very tasty!

We will enjoy the vacation-like atmosphere of the beach for one more day and then head up to Washington. Time is beginning to pass increasingly fast and before we know it, it will be time to meet Kumi in Seattle and celebrate her graduation and Colin's birthday!