A lovely travelogue! I so enjoy hearing about meals and snacks, song lists, seeing photos and drawings, and knowing that a lovely person stopped to admire your sketchbook. Also: I am reading Whistler right now! :)
Thank you so much! And wait—we talked about reading the same book and talking about it later…was it Whistler? Or maybe the Kate Bowler book I’m reading now…?
We talked about reading Kate’s book together. This Whister business is just a fun coincidence. Yesterday, my husband said: I’m listening to a new Ann Patchett book—also Whistler. I am having an inadvertent book club with some of my favorite people! :)
Haha. I laughed at the phrasing “this Whistler business.” 😆 And awww. I’m happy to be in such good company. You’ll probably be 3 more books down the line by the time I finish Kate’s book. I haven’t read since before the trip. I’ll be getting back to it (hopefully!) tomorrow.
Grin. The Whistler business. I really haven’t been reading in so long, so am thrilled that a real live book has captured my attention. Next up I will buy Kate’s book.
1. You ARE delightful and I loved your travelogue.
2. Yes, dark bedspreads hide stains, but in general, don't sit on them *ever*, as they don't wash them often like they do sheets.
3. Wondering what people may have done in the bathroom? Um...no words, Wendy. No words. (Perv. 😆)
4. The haunted museum - I love that! There's a book series called Haunted New York that features stories of different houses and buildings around the state that are haunted. So cool. I've never looked to see if they have other states in the series.
And lastly, the old lady is not wrong about your art. It is great and so expressive and just lovely. ☺️❤️
Thank you, so much! I often have a hard time sleeping in unfamiliar places. It was lucky that I was awake right then. Zero regrets trading sleep that day for sea stars. : )
First time reader and what a treat to read about our very own Oregon coast. If you visited the Flavel House you have to read this New Yorker - Calvin Trillin article about the Flavels. Maybe your friend Laurie filled you in on this very strange (and haunting) family.
So much YOU packed into this lovely tale, Wendy. I, too, remember lyrics better than I remember information that various teachers deemed more important over the years--like dates of wars and names of historical figures. ::sigh::
Your sketches add such delight to your vivid description. The lady on the beach was right! That first photo is stunning, too. My favorite little detail: the binoculars at the window seat. ☺️
I grew up traveling to the Oregon coast every summer for our family vacation. For me that defined “the beach”. I prefer my beaches cool and cloudy because of my association with that slice of heaven. Thank you for sharing about your travels. A delightful read.
Thank you, Wendy! I grew up in the midwest, so it’s a uniquely wonderful place for me. The beaches so wide and flat and walkable. And I prefer the soft, cloudy sky. I haven’t seen anything like it anywhere.
I miss trips to Oregon, so always enjoy a travelogue. I love that final bonus pic — and the rock covered with barnacles, too! Awesome that you filled the trip with so much sketching.
That sounds like a wonderful trip. I think I need to do more of this kind of thing.
Traveling, exploring and sketching. Not subjecting people to an endless slide show (I have definitely been subjected to a few of those. One of them I wanted to scream ,"HAVE YOU NEVER HEARD OF EDITING?!?!?!?!?!")
It really was perfect. Not every trip is that way, but this one was. It had some golden glow around it. And me, too—with the drawings. Endless photos can be boring, but sketches? Somehow, it captures something else. Something more.
A lovely travelogue! I so enjoy hearing about meals and snacks, song lists, seeing photos and drawings, and knowing that a lovely person stopped to admire your sketchbook. Also: I am reading Whistler right now! :)
Thank you so much! And wait—we talked about reading the same book and talking about it later…was it Whistler? Or maybe the Kate Bowler book I’m reading now…?
We talked about reading Kate’s book together. This Whister business is just a fun coincidence. Yesterday, my husband said: I’m listening to a new Ann Patchett book—also Whistler. I am having an inadvertent book club with some of my favorite people! :)
Haha. I laughed at the phrasing “this Whistler business.” 😆 And awww. I’m happy to be in such good company. You’ll probably be 3 more books down the line by the time I finish Kate’s book. I haven’t read since before the trip. I’ll be getting back to it (hopefully!) tomorrow.
Grin. The Whistler business. I really haven’t been reading in so long, so am thrilled that a real live book has captured my attention. Next up I will buy Kate’s book.
I have a few things to say! Surprised? 😄
1. You ARE delightful and I loved your travelogue.
2. Yes, dark bedspreads hide stains, but in general, don't sit on them *ever*, as they don't wash them often like they do sheets.
3. Wondering what people may have done in the bathroom? Um...no words, Wendy. No words. (Perv. 😆)
4. The haunted museum - I love that! There's a book series called Haunted New York that features stories of different houses and buildings around the state that are haunted. So cool. I've never looked to see if they have other states in the series.
And lastly, the old lady is not wrong about your art. It is great and so expressive and just lovely. ☺️❤️
Awww. Thank you for the nice stuff (haha) and as for being a perv—omg, not pervy stuff, just gross stuff. And if I’m sharing that space…NO. 😳
I am so happy you woke up for low tide on an Oregon beach. Welcome to the hardy soul club. Your Astoria artwork is all so lovely!
Thank you, so much! I often have a hard time sleeping in unfamiliar places. It was lucky that I was awake right then. Zero regrets trading sleep that day for sea stars. : )
First time reader and what a treat to read about our very own Oregon coast. If you visited the Flavel House you have to read this New Yorker - Calvin Trillin article about the Flavels. Maybe your friend Laurie filled you in on this very strange (and haunting) family.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1993/02/08/the-magnificent-flavels
Love your sketches and on behalf of Oregon - glad you had a great time.
Thank you for the article and your note! I loved our Astoria trip. What town are you in?
Forest Grove for the past 7 years, Portland for many years prior.
Oregon is such a lovely place. I’ve never seen beaches like the ones there.
Love the Oregon coast. Tom and I celebrated our 25th there. Stunning. Good for the soul baby. Your pics are gorgeous
Thank you so much! I just read your Ireland dispatch. Advice from Strangers? That is a marvelous idea!
It has been so much fun collecting wisdom and meeting other people!
I’ll bet.
So much YOU packed into this lovely tale, Wendy. I, too, remember lyrics better than I remember information that various teachers deemed more important over the years--like dates of wars and names of historical figures. ::sigh::
Your sketches add such delight to your vivid description. The lady on the beach was right! That first photo is stunning, too. My favorite little detail: the binoculars at the window seat. ☺️
The binoculars were a charming touch. The whole thing exceeded my expectations. And how often does that happen? Thank you for the kind words, E!
I grew up traveling to the Oregon coast every summer for our family vacation. For me that defined “the beach”. I prefer my beaches cool and cloudy because of my association with that slice of heaven. Thank you for sharing about your travels. A delightful read.
Thank you, Wendy! I grew up in the midwest, so it’s a uniquely wonderful place for me. The beaches so wide and flat and walkable. And I prefer the soft, cloudy sky. I haven’t seen anything like it anywhere.
Such vivid descriptions and such beautiful illustrations, Wendy! I felt like I was there with you. ❤️
Oh, yay! Thank you for telling me that. It was such a quick trip, but an incredibly full one.
I miss trips to Oregon, so always enjoy a travelogue. I love that final bonus pic — and the rock covered with barnacles, too! Awesome that you filled the trip with so much sketching.
Thank you, Amy! It’s interesting—the sketching. It takes time and focus, but in the best possible way. Like an immersion wherever I’m at.
I love travelogues! What a lovely reset!
Thank you for joining me on the adventure, Jen!
Felt like I was there with you 🤍
That’s what I was hoping—to bring all of you with me. ❤️
Mission accomplished ❤️
That sounds like a wonderful trip. I think I need to do more of this kind of thing.
Traveling, exploring and sketching. Not subjecting people to an endless slide show (I have definitely been subjected to a few of those. One of them I wanted to scream ,"HAVE YOU NEVER HEARD OF EDITING?!?!?!?!?!")
Loved the drawings! I can look at a lot of those!
It really was perfect. Not every trip is that way, but this one was. It had some golden glow around it. And me, too—with the drawings. Endless photos can be boring, but sketches? Somehow, it captures something else. Something more.
Glad you found a nice, cozy place to stay. Oregon beaches are the best! (ok, I’m an Oregonian). I love your drawings/watercolors.
Thank you, Susan! And, yep—Oregon beaches ARE the best.
Not so interminable....
Hahahaha. High praise, Don A. 😅
You are the MOST delightful.
Thanks for the virtual vacay—felt like I was there 🫶🏻
I’m glad. That was my intention. And like attracts like. ❤️
You have to come back for more painting, photography, renewal, good food, and of course, deep conversation!
I look forward to it. ❤️