Wonderment

This picture of Las Vegas with it's bright lights, huge casinos and promise of a good time is a far cry from out little trip up to Coos Bay and the Mill Casino which is located in the bay along with all of those huge and tiny boats , piles of wood chips and a thousand fallen trees. The highway had many state workers cutting back the trees that line the highway and when we got into Coos Bay piles and piles of young trees were stacked by the water front. Our reservations were in order and we got one of the 'old' room that we requested. We like to have the window open and enjoy the view. There is an island not too far away from the walkway of the Casino, probably a quarter mile out in the bay. The rooms are clean and comfortable, no complaints about the all woolen Indian blanket that covers each bed, no soft silk and satins in this place. This morning I looked out the window to look at the crescent moon hovering in the early morning shades. The clouds were black, some heavy gray metal to light and dark shades of blue, along with bright stark white spots showing morning was arriving. It looked like it might be stormy but actually we didn't get to that kind of weather until we neared home. Upon looking out of this window, the clouds made pictures to see, fluffy cats, running dogs, a huge dragon and if I am not mistaken a fish . . . a huge one . . . with open jaws and an eye watching the playful animals. It was such fun to stand there and look and see the natural progression of the morning light. The many seagulls, of all sizes, called to each other and flew from the bay towards inland. It made me wonder if they knew something we didn't and were getting away before a storm hit.

Pat was surprised to meet a Brookings friend who was visiting her mother, and both ladies joined us for dinner. The early bird specials were delectable. Two of us had prime rib with all the trimmings and one had the salmon special with a lemon sauce and one a good old fashioned hamburger that was almost the size of the dinner plate. The food was very good, served hot and the carrot cake desert was included so no one turned it down. It was no where as good as the one daughter Pat makes, but beggars cannot be choosers and we ate it all up. On and off, after our arrival we managed to walk around the casino and find an interesting penny machine to play. They had a few new ones, which you know we had to try, and they are planned to make you laugh out loud. They gobble your pennies and you keep feeding the beastly machines but without a complaint as we were royally entertained. There was one with a chicken crossing the street so, if you have bad habits like I do, look for it if you happen by a casino just so you can have your laugh for the day. Luck was with me for a change and I spent my money and got it all back. That is always fun and makes me feel like I 'won the big one'.

This morning we went to the Pancake House a few blocks up from the casino. The food there is really special, healthy, a chef who really knows the way around the kitchen. It is not that expensive for the amount of food served and the presentation of the food as well. Fresh fruit in a good size cup and a huge muffin that is so delicious you want to bring home a dozen . . . you just know better as you would eat them all before you got them home and in the door.

We headed home, picked up Emma who was visiting Pat's friend and two dogs. There is a dog run and everyone was very happy, especially Emma who couldn't bounce high enough when she saw us coming. We rode through rain, teeming at times, colder than normal and saw the ocean change colors and movement as we rode along. Sometimes so calm and soothing, the color of Lake Tahoe on a summer's day, or steel gray with heavy waves pounding to the shore, doing its best to move back the shore line. Everything from huge rocks to driftwood piled high came into view as we rounded the highway to home. Aah, home . . . it is fun to get away but it is such fun to open the door and know that you are in the familiar and it is not at all bad.

So today, if you are lucky to take a short trip and enjoy a day away, don't hesitate, go for it and have a wonderful time. If you come this way, I'll show you the sights and sounds that surround us and you too can feel the ocean waves and the breeze from the sea. Summer is coming and I am hoping for a trip to the beach and go on an agate hunt. And, oh yes, I forgot the camera!

Make your today a good one.