Annual New Year's Eve Trip To The Coast—2007

Here’s to the outgoing year, 2007 . . . May the good times live on in our memories, and may we learn lessons from the troubling times that will make us stronger and better than ever.

Here’s to 2008 . . . For each and every one of you, may it be filled with significant steps toward the fulfillment of your fondest wishes.

In this coming new year, let us focus on our goals and work toward our dreams, and yet (smile) let’s all try to go with the flow a little more and stress a little less.

And most important, here’s to all of you. Appreciate yourselves and each other in the new year as we appreciate all of you now. Let’s focus on each other’s good points and choose to overlook minor annoyances to create mutual happiness and contentment in 2008. Enjoy the journey! (By Joanna Fuchs)

Rocke and I returned home from The Dalles on Christmas afternoon so we could packed and get ready for our annual New Year's Eve trip to the Oregon Coast. We had reserved a condo for a week at Depoe Bay and were anxiously looking forward to our week getaway and having the kids out to visit with us and enjoy the Oregon coast.

Rocke and I left Portland in the rain on Wednesday morning, December 26th to travel to Depoe Bay. We stopped at Shari's for breakfast, then we were on our way. Arriving at at the coast, Rocke and I checked out the ocean and waves at the D River State Park. We arrived at the Worldmark Resort in Depoe Bay, before 4 pm, which is check-in time. We went to the office, around 3 pm., and were surprised to find our condo was ready and waiting for us. Rocke and I checked in early and got busy getting everything up to the condo and unpacked before Ross, Heather and the kids arrived.

For our week at the coast, the weather prediction was for cold, windy and rainy weather. So it would be a challenge to find things for the kids to do. I, for one, was looking forward to sitting back, relaxing and watching the stormy weather from the condo.

The Ross Warren family arrived shortly after Rocke and I got settled. They unpacked and settled in for their two day visit. The stormy weather made it impossible for us to get out on the beach with them. We made the best of it and relaxed in the condo, visiting and playing with Austin and Sydney. The first night at the condo, Ross and Heather took advantage of the hot tub, while Rocke and I baby-sat. On Thursday, they took the kids to the indoor swimming pool, so they all could enjoy swimming and playing in the water.

Ross and Heather left on Friday, and the Ryan Warren Family was due to arrive on Friday evening for their two day visit. Rocke and I were in the hot tub (something we both enjoyed doing every evening, while staying at the coast) when they arrived. Ryan called Rocke from the car and they met at the gate so Rocke could give Ryan a key to the condo. When Rocke and I finally got kicked out of the hot tub (actually the hot tub closed at 10 pm, so we had to leave), we went to the condo where Ryan and Sarah had their things unpacked, the kids in bed and were sitting back, relaxing. We enjoying visiting with them for a short time, then it was time for bed.

On Saturday, Ryan, Sarah, Zach and Naomi went to tour the Sea Aquarium in Newport. This is something the kids enjoy doing every time they go to the coast. Rocke and I decided to stay back at the room to relax and get dinner ready. Right on cue, Rocke and I had dinner ready when they returned. After dinner, we enjoyed watching Zach and Naomi open their Christmas gifts.

On Sunday morning, it had stopped raining long enough for us to enjoy a stroll on the beach with Ryan, Sarah, Zach and Naomi. It was breezy and cool but we all enjoyed our time out on the beach. Before going back to the condo, we stopped at Starbucks and enjoyed some delicious hot chocolate.

Back at the condo, Ryan and Sarah packed up and loaded everything into the car, so they could start their journey back to Salem. On the way, they stopped at Mo's in Lincoln City for some of Mo's famous clam chowder. Sarah and I decided, you CANNOT come to the coast without stopping by Mo's for a bowl of their famous clam chowder.

On Sunday afternoon, Michael and Sylvia arrived from The Dalles for their two day visit. While Rocke and I relaxed back in the room, Michael and Sylvia enjoyed checking out some of the sites along the Oregon Coast.

On New Year's Eve, Rocke and I enjoyed dinner at Quimby's in Newport. We then returned to the room and waited until time for our daily trip to the hot tub. Michael and Sylvia spent the day touring south of Depoe Bay and were having so much fun that they didn't make it back in time to have dinner with us. They enjoyed New Year's dinner out before returning to the condo.

Michael and Sylvia returned to the room in time for Sylvia to make the trip down to the hot tub with us. Back in the room, we welcomed in the New Year with champagne and snacks.

Michael and Sylvia left New Year's Day to return to The Dalles. Rocke and I stayed one more day and night at Depoe Bay, before returning to Portland.

What a great way to end the old year and start the new year. Rocke and I have already reserved our condo for our annual New Year's celebration for 2008.