Happy Birthday Michael -
November 16, 2007

Another year and another birthday. Someone once told me, "Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live". So, always be happy for birthdays.

Michael and Sylvia took some time off from work to travel out to the Oregon Coast, to celebrate Michael's birthday. Sylvia had reserved a room for herself and Michael, complete with a bottle of champagne on ice, at Hallmark Resort in Newport for Saturday night.

After Sylvia got off from work on Thursday, November 15th, Michael and Sylvia loaded up their car and traveled to Portland to spend the night with Rocke and me.

I got a birthday cake for Michael earlier in the day and after they arrived, we added the candles to the cake and sang "Happy Birthday" to Michael. We gave him his gift and everyone enjoyed a piece of birthday cake.

On Friday morning, November 16th, Michael's birthday, Michael and Sylvia traveled out to the Oregon Coast. Rocke needed to work and be here to baby-sit Austin and Sydney on Saturday morning, so he couldn't go out to the coast with us. Michael and Sylvia went in their car and I took my car so I could come back Saturday evening to help Rocke baby-sit.

Michael and Sylvia drove down to Salem, and stopped by the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge to get some pictures and enjoy looking at some wildlife. From there, they drove to Corvallis and stopped by the Oregon State University Bookstore to purchase a few items. From there, they went out to the coast.

I wanted to spend most of my time out on the coast. So, I told them I would meet them at Depoe Bay. They called me on my cell phone when they arrived in Newport. I had reserved a condo for us at Depoe Bay for Friday night and was at Worldmark in Depoe Bay getting us registered for the night.

By the time I got us registered and back out to my car I saw them in the parking lot. We located the room and unloaded our cars. It was rainy, windy and stormy, so we spent some time in the room and out on the deck watching the storm and waves come in off the ocean. I love being out on the coast when its stormy!

I had made reservations for us at Tidal Raves Seafood Restaurant for Michael's birthday dinner. This restaurant is on a cliff overlooking the ocean and there's not a bad seat in the house. The tables are all situated on tiered levels to offer great views. The prices were very reasonable, the service was prompt and the food delicious. I"m looking forward to going back again when Rocke and I go to Depoe Bay for our yearly New Year's celebration.

Back at the room, Sylvia and I put on our swim suits and headed down to the hot tub. Michael decided to relax in the room and watch some television. We enjoyed jumping into the pool and taking a swim, in between our visits to the hot tub. We were finally kicked out of the hot tub, when they shut it down at 10 p.m. What a great time! I didn't realize we had been out in the hot tub and pool for two hours. My, how the time flies when you're having fun.

The next morning, we enjoyed relaxing in the condo and watching more stormy weather. Little by little, it looked like it might clear up, so we packed our bags, loaded the cars and headed out to do some touring in the area.

The first place we stopped by by Cape Foulweather. Cape Foulweather was discovered and named in 1778 by the famous British navigator Captain James Cook. It was at this Point that Captain Cook first sighted the mainland of North America on the Pacific Coast, and one of the sudden storms which greeted his arrival almost put an end to his historical expedition. The fierceness of the storm is reflected by the name he gave this rugged landmark . . . Cape Foulweather.

The Lookout is perched 500 feet above sea level and from its windows, when the weather is clear, you can see the crashing surf along the shore, sea birds nesting on the rocks, sea lions basking in the sun, fleets of fishing boats in search of salmon, ocean liners whose wisps of smoke string out along the far horizon. There is also whale watching, unbelievable sunsets, and the peaceful calm which follows the violence of a sudden storm to enjoy.

While we were there, there was plenty of foul weather. When we walked out to the point, the wind was blowing so hard, I had to brace myself to keep from falling over. Awesome! Braving the weather, we walked to the lookout and gift shop

Leaving Cape Foulweather, the weather was starting to clear up . . . just a little. Our next stop was the Devil's Punchbowl. State officials believe the punchbowl was formed when the roof of two sea caves collapsed, creating what looks like a big punchbowl full of churning and foaming water. As waves come in, water is caught in the rock formation swirling and spraying for some impressive displays—especially during the stormy season.

We took a quick walk around this park then drove into Newport to find a place for breakfast. After breakfast, we toured the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. The Yaquina Head Lighthouse is one of the most popular lighthouses in the United States. There are hundreds of thousands of guests that visit every year. The tower is the tallest on the Oregon Coast, rising 93 feet in the air. This lighthouse is the only Oregon Lighthouse with a marble floor. It stands 162 feet above sea level, and can be seen from ocean vessels as far away as 19 miles. Beyond that, we were told this by one of the volunteers at the lighthouse, the lighthouse can't be seen because of the curvature of the earth."

Too soon, it was time for me to return home and for Michael and Sylvia to continue his birthday celebration and check into the Hallmark Resort for the night.