An ode to pursuing adventure

As I write this, the Oregon Coast is under a tsunami warning, linked to an earthquake in Russia.  And - get this - my hotel is as far out on the dunes as any hotel in Seaside, Oregon.  And I am on the first floor.  Facing west. Families are packing up and leaving, as folks are pretty rattled by the warning. I started to spiral a bit before the updated tsunami alert said we were talking waves about a foot over average. It is supposed to hit around midnight. Still, as I called Bob and we started crafting my emergency plan (pack up before bed and drive somewhere away from water to wait it out a bit), I cannot deny what I was feeling:

It was adrenaline.

I mean, as we age, we avoid risk. We avoid too much excitement or craziness. And sometimes, it means we don't have adventures anymore.  

Haystack Rock this morning - a Cannon Beach treasure

This part of the aging journey has always petrified me. I remember sitting in a Denny's when I was 21. I was studying with my best friend Billy. Of course, because we were stupid and 22, we would meet at Denny's when I got off my shift at KIRO radio, at about 2 a.m. We would "study" (and mostly talk) until the wee small hours.  Once I was talking to Billy about what we both feared most about our lives ahead. I said, "getting conventional".  Billy burst out laughing and said, "The day that you get conventional, all hope is lost."  That always stuck with me.






So this is what we struggle with as we age. How to find adventure. How to be sort of crazy. How to be unconventional.

With all this in mind, I am enjoying my adventure. I am enjoying seizing the day and exploring things on my own. I have only been gone a day or so and it feels much longer.

I walked A LOT today (about 12 miles total), mostly on sand (Hello, calf muscles!).  I saw the infamous Haystack Rock (above) and fabulous SeaStars!  (also above)

The rock formations here are wild.  A couple of great photos below.

And.. I visited Hug Point and Ecola Park. Hug Point is where they filmed part of "The Goonies" and it was fun to check out the caves. The rest of the day was exploring Seaside, walking the Promenade and preparing for the tsuanmi.  :-)

One of my favorite movies has always been "The World According to Garp".  At one point, Jenny stands at the shore with her son Garp and says, "You know, Garp. Life can really be an adventure."  That stuck with me. How do you live a life like that?

So here's to adventure and hitting the road.  I have many pictures, hikes and adventures ahead of me and will be posting here.

In the meantime, here's to a tsunami late tonight that (I hope) never quite lives up to its PR.

Tomorrow- Newport!



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