Spring Break

This past week was Spring Break. I was looking forward to a few days with no plans. I had some tentative ideas of how to spend my five (not counting weekends) glorious days away from my students. Monday was a great beginning. I slept in, did a workout, had vacuumed the carpets, and was waiting for my laundry to try when the phone rang and my non-plans became, plans....

The phone call was from mom. I was heading down to the parents' on Tuesday to talk Dad into changing the oil in my car. I admit it was long overdue.

So, Mom's on the phone. "You might want to pack some extra clothes." (I'd planned on spending the night.)

"Why?" I asked.

"We're going to the Coast. Leaving in the morning."

The discussion went on for awhile and a couple hours later I found myself packing for a few days at the Coast.

On Tuesday we headed over to Newport. The weather was surprisingly nice. Mid 50's, and somewhat sunny with lots of wind. Dad & Eric went out fishing while the rest of us took a walk.
Wednesday was similar, but the weather was cooler.

Thursday's weather was crap. Typical Oregon Coast during Spring Break. We went for a cliff walk near Depoe Bay, and the entire time the song "I'll fly away" was running through my brain!




On Friday the weather was improving. Dad & Eric took the boat out again, leaving around 7:30 am. The Coast Guard closed the bar at 9:00 to boats under 26 feet (Eric's boat is 24') so they had to stay out until they were cleared to follow a charter boat back in around 2:30. Immediately after coming in the bar was closed to boats under 32 feet, so they got lucky.

Saturday was beautiful. We walked over to the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center. When I was a kid our elementary classes and middle school science classes made regular trips over there. We walked in this time, and it was completely different. The things that I remembered most clearly were the octopus tank and the touch tank. They've been completely rebuilt and they're so much nicer now. We found out from one of the volunteers that they were redone about fifteen years ago. Wow! Time really flies. Either way, it was a great way to spend a little time. And very economical since the center doesn't charge admission, but does accept donations. After lunch we took a walk on Nye Beach.

Spring Break was a good week. Now, if I only had a couple more days to get prepped for going back to school tomorrow.