T11M

I always forget how much I like to travel.  I really do enjoy getting in the car or on an airplane and going somewhere.  This weekend Kendra and I visited my grandparents in Oceanside, OR.  The drive took about 3.5 hours and was surprisingly smooth.  The occasion for our trip was, of course, Valentines day, which turned out to be quite fun to celebrate at the beach.  Kendra loves to take pictures and I did my best to indulge her desire to snap photos of she and I on the beach and with my grandparents (I’m sure they are already on Facebook). 

Upon our arrival in the very late evening, we were greeted with the customary offering of food.  As usual neither of us were hungry and politely turned down the offer.  One must always strictly follow family rituals!  Bed time quickly followed the very short conversation over the two (or was it three) cookies that I politely turned down and then consumed.  The next morning we awoke to breakfast followed by a day of relaxation.  We all went for a walk on the beach and as usual Kendra took more photos of the rock outcroppings there at Oceanside.  They must be some of the most photographed rocks in Oregon – Kendra alone has taken enough to fill a small volume .  After returning to the house slightly damp we snacked on prawns, pretzels, and soda while watching home video.  For the very first time in my life I actually enjoyed watching a home video!  I know, I was stunned too.  The footage is a combination of a number of different events, the oldest of which was taken in the early 1960s when my father was no older than 8.  The film then traversed a piece of the 70s and quickly skipped to the 80s (can anyone say big hair?) where the plot of course favored me – the first born son/grandson/grand-nephew/great grandson (yes, I was #1).  After the very long trip down memory (or lack of memory) lane we spent the rest of the afternoon discussing various recent happenings and what-not. 

That evening we had dinner at Rosanna’s – the only restaurant in Oceanside.  The prices had obviously been raised for the occasion, but the food was outstanding so no complaints from me.  Immediately following dinner we retired home for drinks and conversation.  I managed to find an unopened bottle of Canadian whiskey which still had the 1983 label on it.  As expected it did the trick and my grandmother and I proceeded to enjoy a very long conversation about my parents ranch (of which my grandmother is a third owner).  It was the first time in my life that I was able to enjoy a couple of drinks with her and have a civil and frankly, enjoyable conversation.  I’m really glad that we could spend that time together.  Meanwhile Kendra and my grandfather proceeded to look somewhat bored and did not drink. 

The next morning we went to Mass – the longest mass I have ever experienced.  There was a baptism.  Baptisms we found out add about 20 minutes to the average Mass.  Thus instead of lasting the customary 1 hour it instead went a full hour and twenty minutes.  I felt like I was in a protestant church!  Anyway, afterward we had breakfast, said our good byes and returned to Eugene.  All in all it was a very enjoyable weekend.