I rediscovered how much I love the coast over this last weekend. I have always loved being out of the city/suburbs and before gas prices soared I used to just get in the car with the kids and drive anywhere to be away from buildings and manicured lawns. Other than the annual homeschool camping trip that we look forward to every year, we have stayed close to home for a while now. After Jonathan's death my sister, Melinda, would hike almost every weekend and found that it was very healing for her. I think she may be onto something. I've spent the last year mostly at home and not really interested in being around people, but I'm beginning to think that something needs to change. Going out to the coast reminded me how connected I feel to God through the water. I don't know what it is or why, but being near a natural source of water has always brought me peace. Whether it is going to one of the waterfalls, the river or the beach I just need to be near it. I sleep a lot better when I can hear the steady drumming of rain, the crashing of waves or the flowing of a stream or river. I suppose that is one reason why the Pacific Northwest has always felt like home to me.
The only thing I wish we had done differently on the trip was to have more quiet time. We saw some amazing things and did a lot more than I thought we would manage to squeeze in, but I wish we had more down time. I had my mornings with a cup of coffee just sitting watching and listening to the waves and birds, but more would have been good. Next time.
I do have to admit that I like the comforts of society. I grew up camping the "real way" with my parents that involved driving out to the middle of nowhere (as in no roads in addition to no buildings, running water, electricity, etc), digging our own pit toilet and surviving off only the things we brought for as much as a week. They liked to find the most out of the way places...I really should ask how they found the places they did. I was not a fan of it by the time I reached about 10 years old and we stopped going soon after that. I like having a bed to sleep in, electricity, a heater when it is cold, running water and hot water for a shower. So while our trip included all the standard comforts of home and more, it was still awesome and healing to be able to step outside and be so close to the water. It is something I need to do more often.
