A "First" at the Beach!

We have never had a Sisters'-Week-Away at a time when the Oregon governor pronounced the area a "Disaster zone" before!  A first to remember!

Nancy treated the Swenson sisters to a week at the Oregon Coast this January with one of her wonderful World Mark time shares, this one just south of Lincoln City in Gleneden. We hadn't had a January beach retreat together before, but optimistically anticipated sunny, mild days. Well, December and January had been draught dry until the day we arrived and then conditions changed from mild to a state DISASTER...literally! The winds and rains never stopped.

But that didn't stop us from having a fun outing every day! We weathered the storm and visited our favorite restaurants and shopping sites. This gift shop atop the tip of Cape Foul Weather (aptly named!) must have appreciated our patronage with the power out and no visibiltiy from this amazing lookout point. Winds gusts were from 85-100 mph as recorded by the news, but a little less angry at the time of our visit.

A delicious lunch at our favorite restaurant, Tidal Raves, and a visit to the 1937 movie theater to view "The Iron Lady" were the two best activities. ( I would include the hours of game playing, but I found myself stressed and slightly sweaty playing with my seasoned and competitive sisters!) The theater was something Bill would have loved with the retro furnishings, posters, ticket booth, and organ next to the screen.

There were daily surprises on our pillows from the "Beach Fairy" and hours for games, projects, watching movies and reminiscing...something we can always count on regardless of the weather! No agates this trip, no walks on the beach, but still and always very fun.

When it came time to think about heading home, the reports of flooded rivers, power outages, fallen trees gave us concern, but by the morning of departure the situation was manageable and Sally got me to the airport in good time, though I have not yet heard how her trip on to Auburn went. Washington was hit very hard with ice storms and power outages over a massive area...including her home! No heat, no power, no phones, no tv.....just the kind of adventure that Sally likes...light the candles and play games! Alan was glad to have her home, I am sure!