Family photo opp at Drake Park in Bend Lisa, Deontay, Korrisa and DadCold. So cold.See any resemblance here? 🙂 Dad with his daughters and oldest grandson.Yes, please!Happy place.Warming up for our run……feeling pretty good these days, huh, Dad? #TellThemImSixtyOneBlue skies and beach runs. We are happy campers!Breathing it all in a little deeper after our run. Isn’t this place gorgeous?And this face! I found all kinds of happiness at the beach. Tito, oh, Tito!A few trips down memory lane with this fella. Running the beaches of Seaside…Tito, 9 years old, enjoys long walks on the beach, cuddling and slobbering.…pausing to watch the sunset.Spent time in Cannon Beach with Jenny B.Bo!Yes, the weather was impressive for January!Coffeeeeee at Insomia. And a SnapChat tutorial. After resisting the idea of having one more social media app on my phone, I decided to take the plunge. Oh my word, the hilarity!How do you like my outfit? If there’s any sense of style while clam digging, I haven’t found it yet.
Outfits aside, when you get the call to face one of your fears, you say “okaaaaaay” even if it’s with all the hesitation in the world…
I have *miserable* childhood memories of clam digging. Picture the typical stormy-winter-beach-weather and everything you need blowing away from you in the wind. And having to chase after it like your life depended on it. Like your life depended on it?! I can’t help but laugh, thinking about how I remember it. So dramatic. But, when beloved Steve-O calls, asking if you want to join him on an impromptu clam digging adventure–his favorite beach activity, bocce ball a close second–and you can hear the excitement in his voice, you decide much quicker than picking out a morning coffee mug. Because deep down you know it’s the perfect opportunity to rewrite your story of clam digging. And so, that is exactly what I did. Steve showed me the ropes and it was rather enjoyable. The weather definitely cooperated. Happy clammers! We both got our limit in about 20 minutes.
Fresh clams. Nothing like ’em. And there’s nothing like learning how to clean them, too. What is that green stuff???And another pause to watch this perfect sunset. Thank you, Steve-O!!More beach run shenanigans with my dad…
It’s no wonder songs including “Eye of the Tiger” and “We Will Rock You” are all-time favorites on my running playlists. And I feel like Rocky when I finish a work out. Thanks, Dad 😉
Best buds: Baxter and Dad.Empty beaches. Tons of space to play……balance? Check!……enjoying a new perspective.Baxter, 4 years old, likes beach runs…and sticks.These two picked me up for an afternoon of laughs in Astoria! (Jenny and Emily are also the main reason why SnapChat is SO hilarious–add them).Typical grey day view at Coffee Girl.We had treats!What’s better than catching up with coffee and treats? And just laughing at each other laughing at each other.Getting there is half the fun! Never a dull moment in the car. Who’s driving??This one gets me every time (!!!)……oh let’s just see if it fits…Acro Yoga: Perched Eagle Pose. Squeeze your arms and legs as tightly as you can…breathe…LAUGH.Emily’s selfie-stick came in handy hahaWhose idea was this?Needed a bathroom after this one…Birthday hike with the fam! Pilot ButteWho knew I had a bossy-pants-birthday-stance? (Don’t answer that.) Thanks for the pic, Ma–we both needed a break from this steep incline.“What about doing a yoga pose on that? That’d be cool.” –Guy Oh, no pressure! Thankfully this post and my shoes were pretty grippy.My pretty birthday cake. Thanks, Sis!Deontay lighting the candles…It’s a two-person job. Only 34 candles, right?!?!Fire. Hazard.That’s much better!A very special “happy birthday” song, guitar playing included.Cake and presents before dinner.
Birthdays are something else! You get bombarded with all of this positive energy, love and thoughtfulness. Imagine a world where only that circulates…day after day. I had nature, music, sunshine, exercise and family. All in one outing. That Presence is the best present of all. Well…and laughter. And there was a lot of that, too.
Family, family, family! Roadtrippin’ back to the beach to surprise Cop Grandpa for Super Bowl weekend.We sang, we danced…Guy put his earphones in for the 3 hour treck to Portland. haha can’t blame ya 😉Stopped in Beaverton–nephew bonding time.Cheeks.And they all played their instruments…together… kind of! It was pretty remarkable 🙂A Seaside High/Phillips’ Candies reunion at Casa del Matador. It’s only been…13 years?? Sometimes time flies and yet, nothing changes in the best way possible. Come visit me, all of you!Surprised Cop Grandpa, check! Baxter liking (and licking) Deontay, check!
Deontay and Olivia bonding over skateboards and Baxter.
Eating at The Stand with Chuck and Diane…priceless 🙂
Happy to be skating the streets and Promenade of Seaside.
And a stop in Aurora to see Gramma C….…and Uncle Mike. Deontay is smiling for the both of them–ha!
And look at these gems I found around Gramma’s house:
One final stroll on the bluff and some peaceful moments on the bench.
Oregon was filled with goodness~taking wonderful yoga classes in Bend and Seaside (thank you, Kris!), getting the opportunity to teach yoga classes again in both Bend and Seaside (huge thank you to Fitness 1440 S. Bend and Sunset Family Fitness!!), family time, catching up with old friends, making time to read and write and plan the next adventure!
Leaving on a jet plane. It’s bittersweet. Leaving a happy place…for another happy place. And new adventures!First stop, Los Angeles!
“Without leaps of imagination or dreaming we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” –Gloria Steinem
soulsearchersarahgirl 
Thank you Sarah. Please enjoy yourself. Peace. – Cam http://www.SurvivalBros.com