Today was another early rise, since we would be finishing up the California coast and then follow it up with nearly all of the Oregon coast. I had wanted to have us stay somewhere lower on the Oregon coast, but then the drive to Seattle gets lengthened.. Can't win with some things. The only real downside (other than it being a longer day of driving) was that the Oregon coast is very pretty! I'm a big fan of crashing surf on a rocky coast, this is where all the pictures of such things come from.

We did manage to stop in some places for photos, but if I had all the time in the world I could spend plenty of time at each vista point. Me + camera, and I'm set to go!

The first portion of our trip was away from the coast once we left Eureka. It was a nice small city, though one of the bigger ones in the area. Crescent city is one of the last as you leave California, and it seemed like it took forever to get there, even though it was only about 40-50 miles. More curvy roads! Thankfully there are lots of 2 lane sections so you don't get stuck behind someone slow for too long. If you did it'd be a very long day indeed!

The funny thing that I forgot about Oregon is the gas stations. My best friend in AIT (the training you have after basic training in the Army) was from Oregon, and he told me about how you don't pump your gas. Every station is full service! I need to look it up, but it's not this way as a cool option. You don't pump gas period. It's like you're suddenly unqualified. What do people who live in Oregon do when they leave the state for the first time? Do they sit in their car for a few minutes, wondering why no one is pumping their gas? I don't know. It was nice however to get some low gas prices for a change.

The last section of our drive was off of highway 101, onto roads that were not so easy to navigate. We had the option of staying on 101 and driving all the way up to Tillamook (like the cheese) and then heading straight west, but we liked staying near the coast whenever possible. The town was right outside of Oceanside, a small place called Netarts. Most of the directions were pretty easy, the real difficulty was just in roads not being labeled too well, which would make you think maybe it was the turn you wanted? Had you missed it? We drove past the hotel at first, completely missing it despite it being right on the road we were on. After turning around I used MS streets and trips to zoom in our location, and we worked our way back. The hotel was called the Sea Lion Inn (or Motel, according to the sign), and looked a little less than desirable from the outside. The 'front desk' was actually in the owner's house across the parking lot. She wasn't necessarily mean, but she certainly wasn't cheerful either. Maybe she had a bad day. Either way, the room turned out to be a pleasant surprise! It was like a mini apartment really, with a living room and everything. The only thing missing was wifi, but we had it most every other night.

We were pretty off the beaten path when it came to places to eat, but we went and tried out a small place called Rachel's Family Dining, which was another nice surprise. Good food for nice prices! We decided to return in the morning, since they serve breakfast too. We wrapped up the night on the couch watching Mythbusters, worn out from the day. Comfy.

Nooo! Too early, way too early to wake up. Add to that the bed I slept on was very firm and stiff and my back does NOT like that. I think during the whole trip the bed I slept on last night was the worst, as well as the worst sleep. Not good considering today was an early rise! Yuck. Keith took the first shift in driving and I attempted to nap but the roads were wickedly twisty again today and it kept throwing me this way and that in my seat making it very difficult to sleep. This naturally annoyed the crap out of me. I kept to myself some today, when really tired (as my mom could tell anyone) I keep quiet and aloof.

The drive was a scenic one, which is always nice. Lots more trees! I love the woods here. It's just… you know, I use the same adjectives and nothing seems to truly fit the beauty of it all. Everything is big, clean, and humbling in the West. That is all.

We drive into Oceanside and get sorta turned around being that our hotel is actually in Netarts. Upon looking at the place we seem pretty skeptical on how the inside will be. But looks are certainly deceiving in Netarts! The motel actually was a two roomed + bathroom suite looking thing. The inside was decorated as if Target and Ikea had come together and spat up. Pretty décor, retro and modern. We even had a full kitchen completely stocked with dishes, utensils and spices. The bathroom was decorated and the towels were the softest we've had during the whole trip. Small place, wonderful stay. Very comfortable.

I tried to figure out where to eat in Netarts and found a place called Rachel's Family Dining and decided to try it out. Another place where looks are deceiving. The outside looked like a tiny run down trailer of sorts, but inside the food was fresh, hot and good. Keith had a hamburger and I actually had Teriyaki Chicken which tasted wonderful. And their bread was yummy and hot! Steaming even. We quickly looked at the breakfast menu and decided the next morning we would come back for breakfast.

Back at the motel we both curled up in blanket and sat on the couch watching tv. It was nice. I like the comfortable feeling I have every time I curl up to Keith. It is definitely something I am looking forward to when we marry. Being up to curl up to him under a blanket on the couch watching tv. Tis the simple things after all!

Another day tomorrow. Sleep.