A much-needed escape… to Depoe Bay!

 If I had to explain this year with one word it would be “exhausting”.  Here I thought teaching while working on my master’s degree and student teaching was hard… or teaching online… but I believe this year has even those years beat.  I think part of the problem is going back into full swing after being out for 1 ½ years… and then to be understaffed on top of it.  The students are tired, you can see it in their faces, and the fact that some of them fall asleep in class.  The staff are tired… and there are not enough subs to go around when they need a break or have to take a day off.

So, on Wednesday when everyone found out that the Kent School District was canceling school on Friday and making it a four-day-weekend, there was a lot of cheering.  Moods were lifted instantly. It was a break that everyone needed.  When I told Matthew about it, he decided we should go out of town… and so we decided to head to one of our favorite spots, the ocean.

We were trying to decide which beach to go to and looking up hotels when we decided to find out if Connie, his old primary care doctor was going to be home for the weekend… She had moved to Depoe Bay, and we had promised we would come visit her.  She not only was going to be home but told us to come stay with her…

On Thursday, we headed down after Matthew’s doctor appointment.  We arrived pretty late but ended up staying up and visiting for a couple hours.  Friday was a relaxing day.  We lounged around the house and enjoyed listening to the storm outside.  Connie and I did our Bible study while Matthew worked on a hunter’s ed class online.  We ended up making steak for dinner and heading to bed early.

Saturday turned out to be absolutely beautiful.  We had planned to go to a farmer’s market down in Newport and while we were there, we made a side trip to the light house… The weather was perfect… sunny and warm which was unusual for this time of year.  We had a relaxing day just enjoying the views, watching people surf, and listening to the waves.  Before the storms came back Connie took us to her happy spot which was walking distance from her house.  Matthew and I took her out to dinner at her favorite restaurant before calling it a night.  It was the perfect day.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Love the views... so pretty

Checking out the Devil's Punch Bowl

Watching the surfers... 

This is near Connie's Happy place... 

We had so much fun vising Depoe Bay with Connie...

Our view during dinner.. beautiful... 

On Sunday, Matthew wasn’t feeling well so he rested for the trip home.  Connie and I decided to watch a sermon online instead of going to her church in Newport.  It was a great way to end the weekend before heading home and getting ready for the work week. 

Her former pastor from Maple Valley... online!