by Sharon O | Jun 21, 2016 | Uncategorized
After our adventure to Winema beach we came home for a short time then left again to the coast again.
Only this time we headed to a town on the southern Oregon coast line called Florence.
It was a port that is used mostly for fishing but there are also dunes there where people ride dune buggies.
We found it to be very strange when we saw large sand dunes right behind the local Fred Meyer store.
So much for beach life, very different from our ‘scenes in the valley.’
Our drive down was fun as the clouds were very dark and even rainy. Making a very good ‘picture taking’ opportunity for me.
I always anticipate the drive with joy and a bit of anxiety as I know traffic can create issues and especially with a trailer behind our expedition.
We followed hwy 101 all the way down the southern coast, with it’s windy roads and scenic views.
It really was a nice drive although it took us about five hours from our house to our campsite.
We had many bridges as we drove I think it must have been close to six and they varied in size some short and some longer.
The water was all around us on some occasions and we just had to keep driving till ‘solid ground’ reappeared.
We arrived at Port of Suislaw in the heart of downtown Florence and set up our camp. We would spend the next three days there exploring.
After getting settled I took a final picture of us, on our couch watching a bit of night TV before the evening got dark.
The view from our trailer on the outside near where we sat in our chairs, and then the view from the inside of the trailer.
Our home away from home is very cozy and we are really enjoying our time away.
Each time it is easier to leave and each time the ‘cats’ realize we will return.
Stay tuned as I share more of our ‘summer adventures.’
by Sharon O | Jun 20, 2016 | Uncategorized
The first trip we did out in our new ‘home away from home’, was at the beach. Our favorite place to go is a place called Winema.
It is a Christian camp and it has such quiet and beauty most of the time when campers are not there.
We happened to get there between activities and the weekend so it was pretty quiet and nice.
Our trailer is very comfortable and we enjoy going
out as much as possible now that we are fully retired.
The view from our trailer looking out from the campsite heading towards the beach.
It is a quiet pathway, not too rough of a walk and over the ridge is the ocean.
There are a few a memorial benches where one can sit and enjoy the oceans beauty if you don’t have your own chair.
We can sit there for a long time just watching the waves, and feeling the fresh air on our faces.
Sometimes we see birds and boats and other activities like kite flying or kids playing.
The beach is not private but the camp is.
Way on top of the hill next to the main driveway to the camp are the crosses I love to look at. Have always told my husband should I leave this world before him I want to be placed up there. I don’t like heights but it is a perfect place of peace and freedom.
The view from the beach side, high up on a hill are the crosses.
The view from the high perspective looking down.
The view of the camp to the left, and the bay outlet where one can use a kayak or canoe. 
It will always be our ‘favorite place’. Quiet and peaceful and most of the time very few people.
by Sharon O | Jun 19, 2016 | Uncategorized
We have been testing our cats out when we leave for a few days then return.
Always having someone coming in to feed them and make sure the water is still bubbling.
They have a continuous fountain. It was the best thing I ever purchased as it gives them fresh water and I don’t have to worry about it.
We purchased a 2017 travel trailer and for the last few weeks we have been taking it out and enjoying it.
Part of that purchase was a ‘new to us’ Ford Expedition to pull it with.
God blessed us with a great deal.
The trailer is really nice, a 19 foot with a murphy bed and a table. Nice shower bathroom area and when the bed is in the wall a couch appears.
So we really are very comfortable in it when we go out.
We love the colors and it has a decent size shower and a nice ‘little kitchen with a table’ where we eat our meals if we are not outside.
It has been a relaxing place for us, a retirement gift for my husband who loves to go and I like to stay.
It has been a nice compromise for us. We are trying out short outings to see how our ‘inside’ cats do.
Originally we thought it would be fun to take them with us, but now we are realizing it might be more worrisome.
They don’t go outside and they might not be relaxed out of their normal familiar home life.
We are hoping to go out more in our vacation home on wheels. With our ‘furry children’ taken care of we can leave.
Off into the sunset we go, in our home away from home.
by Sharon O | Jun 17, 2016 | Uncategorized
It has been quite sometime since I have written here.
My husband retired, then he had surgery on his knee, and then we were in recovery mode, as he began to feel better, we purchased a 2017 travel trailer. We have taken it out two times now and both times we have been very happy with the purchase, it sure beats hotel/motel staying, which I am not going to enjoy.
I am writing on his lap top and it is not working like my computer.
When we get home from our current trip I will update this with pictures.
Just needed to check in and say hello and thank you for being a faithful reader.
by Sharon O | May 30, 2016 | Uncategorized
I am often amazed at how much the word of the Lord integrates and feels familiar in our lives.
There are very few problems we cannot find in either the Psalms or the Proverbs.
I love the way they relate to us on many levels of our heart cries, or our hunger for something deeper.
In Proverbs 17:22: we find these words:
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
Have you ever had a broken spirit? It is heavy and it weighs you down. I was in this place before.
It was deep and empty like a well, you could not see the bottom or see where it would stop.
I had to keep trusting in the process even when the process wasn’t clear.
I had to push forward and past the terrible darkness I felt deep inside my spirit.
It was like breathing with no air, walking with no energy. At the time all I wanted to do was sleep.
My heart cries often felt like this: in Psalms 77:1-6 :
I cry out to God; Yes I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me. When I was in deep trouble I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted towards the heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. You don’t let me sleep, I am too distressed even to pray! I think of the good old days, long since ended, when my nights were filled with joyful songs. I search my soul and ponder the difference now.
We have been there. All of us. Even those who don’t admit it. Darkness has followed us at some point in our lives.
Each of us have had nights of lost sleep, we have walked the floors with a deep heaviness of soul. From the depth of emotion there is a difference.
There is a deep unsettling. A deep stirring and agitation of spirit. We wait. We pray for healing and we heal slowly.
Then in time we begin to realize, as we heal, that we have never been alone. He was always there.
But he was waiting… for us to ask him to remove our heart ache and turn it to a deep appreciation for HIS deep love for us.
It is hard to imagine but, sometimes when we are in our dark places that is where we grow the most. In the unseen places of spirit and soul.
When it happens and we feel restored, than we can once again say, what we find in Psalm 108:1 :
My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart.
And I love this visual ‘representation of His love for us.’
I can see it, the imagery of HIM who loves us… bending down.
Have you ever allowed yourself to go to a child’s level? leaning in to listen?
Psalm 116: 1-2 :
I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayers for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
