We had a fantastic two days at Tierra Del Mar with Debbie, Bill, and niece Kara from Tennessee, and my mom. The days started with low clouds that broke by noon to bright skies and light breezes. 

It was a delight spending time with Kara. Kara is on summer break before her last year of nursing school in Tennessee. She will be a gift to the medical profession and all whom she treats. She's a help and a joy to me. As I have written before, I am blessed with many wonderful nieces and three fine nephews, each so very different from one another, with different gifts and charms. Don't you love Kara's fashion style? We had fun inspecting some interesting jewelry in town, with the plan to replicate some pieces. I hadn't realized how many interests and idiosyncracies we shared. 

 A study in black and white, Debbie with daughter Kara, Cape Kiwanda dune and stack in the distance. 

The pups had a rompous time on the beach, and in the house. What a difference between a spaniel and a terrier when it comes to water and retrieving. Jack has no interest in either, but Sadie...!

Today we climbed the short end of the dune for a panoramic view of the ocean and the small cove beaches at the base of the cape. When we figure out how to upload the video we shot, you can see for yourself the beauty of the place.

After a leisurely morning at the breakfast table eating Debbie's waffles and the afternoon at the cape and feasting on burgers at the Pelican Pub, Ben, Jack and I headed north to Cannon Beach, where we are now in the Ecola Creek Lodge. I love this place and this suite of rooms in particular. Again, when we upload the video, you can share in the charm of this place. We are sitting in a knotty pine paneled living room beside a brick gas fireplace at a round wood table. Earlier we dined on New Season's skirt steaks (double yum) looking out our window over a koi pond in the garden. I strongly recommend this lodging. Tomorrow, if we wake early enough, I will check out a vinyasa yoga class in the Tolovana Hall, wherever that is; nearby I presume. Ben has plans for coffee and Tillamook cheesy biscuits at Waves of Grain bakery in Tolovana, the prime culinary attraction for us here. Billy may be surfing at Indian Beach in Ecola Park tomorrow and we will join him there. We are hoping he will spend the night on the futon in our suite. Zac is busy this weekend competing in a marathon of events with kickball friends. Being a natural athlete, we have high hopes he will take the gold. Unfortunately, this prevents him from joining us for the weekend.