OREGON COAST LIFE LESSON REVIEW

Does the Oregon coast offer a different experience than other coastlines?

That’s the question.

The big answer is, “The Oregon coast will kill you as dead as any other coast.”

So stay out of the water? Come on, it’s the beach.

When the view out of the window shows an inviting ocean, like the top image, you feel the pull to get in and hop waves.

I grew up on the Oregon coast. Going out into the breakers was a great experience with friends. Not so much if you go out alone.

I wasn’t alone the past four days in Cannon Beach, but I felt like going out and diving under waves.

My wife didn’t think it was a feeling to follow through on together.

How would she feel about seeing me go under, then wash up on the beach tangled in kelp? She’d have a perfect view from the balcony outside our room.

A Married Man Beach Trip

Check-in included key cards, cookies, and two beers.

Why doesn’t every motel, hotel, spa, and resort have this custom?

It sets the tone right off the bat.

Check in, pack in, settle in, drink beer, walk the beach.

And repeat.

Staying in was nice, too.

Since it’s Oregon, it rained.

Then it rained some more.

The difference between rain and no rain is who you’re with.

The right beach person: “Yes, it’s raining. We have rain gear. Let’s go.”

The wrong beach person: “We can’t go out there, I might melt.”

Then there’s the bed question.

“Two double beds? What do you think?”

“I think you’d better stay on your side.”

“You mean the other bed?”

“No, the bed by the window so we can hear the ocean.”

“You don’t want your own bed?”

“No, and neither do you.”

Is that really how married people talk?

Get married and find out.

Beer Beach State Of Marriage

Combine a roadtrip, sea air, and decent beer with cozy togetherness to see your state of marriage.

Did you do things together?

Was food a fun thing or just a dreary necessity?

Were you helpful to each other?

Would you do it again?

You may not remember everything, but you’ll remember how you felt being there.

But why Cannon Beach?

We honeymooned there. Later, we found a house to rent that was a classic. That was a destination for years for my wife, kids, and mother in-law.

Back then we’d hop waves in deep water together.

Not this time, though I felt the draw. It was cold, but not too cold. The waves were sizable enough for surfers, but not too big.

I went halfway out and waved to my wife on the balcony. She waved back.

I looked down the beach and saw people out further than I was.

Should I go further? Beyond the breakers? It didn’t look dangerous, which is probably what too many old people say before they go under.

Have you seen this meme? Does it ring true?

Do you go for it?

Kick out all the stops?

If your wife is watching, do you do dangerous things?

Try and see yourself from their point of view.

You’re out in the surf hopping waves and you get rolled and tumbled.

Can your wife vault off the third story balcony and sprint out and Bay Watch your dumb ass up the beach and CPR you back to life?

Could you do it if the roles were reversed? I know it’s a confusing exercise since your wife is the smart one and would never be at risk like that.

But could you?

The correct Oregon coast answer:

“Now I’m ready for an ocean swim.”

“Let’s have another beer and think about it.”

You won’t be thinking about it if you drown in the surf. Keep that in mind.

Cheers.