A Perfect NW Day

I had a hankerin for the beach that I finally satisfied. It was a perfect day. There's nothing better than the sound of a stormy beach. The wind blowing, the waves crashing, the rain pelting your face like tiny daggers. Aaahhh. I love this place! Cannon Beach was the destination this trip. Oddly enough, there weren't many people on the beach. And this week is Oregon's Spring Break. I realize the tourists don't venture out on rainy days, but where were all the Oregonians? Weather doesn't usually stop us. Especially when it's just wet. I prefer having the beach to myself, I just wasn't expecting it.
I went on a hike to another beach and realized how long it has been since I have had a good soaking hike. It is an invigorating feeling. Some people might say cold, miserable, soggy, etc. To those people I say, "Wuss!" The perfect end to a beach day is a bread bowl of chowder at Mo's. And it tastes best when one is soaking wet and cold. It was delicious.
The best part of the day was when I spotted a blow from a grey whale. It's a little past whale migration, so I was a little surprised, but delighted. Funny how, even though the whale has no clue I am there it makes me feel like we are connected. A purely human perception, but it was comforting. I look forward to my friend from Missoula, MT coming for a visit and spending a week camping on the coast.