The Oregon Coast is always a great place to go to relax. To be able to spend time enjoying the sand and surf, beachcombing with the kids and taking pictures of the unusual, while hoping to get a shot at something really cool, has always been fun for our family. I especially enjoy watching the kids run from one thing to another; exploring the sea life during low tides, or watching the breakers crash onto the rocks during high tides.

Having warm sunshine is always a bonus on the Oregon Coast! They say people in Oregon don’t “tan”, they “rust”. I must admit, we do get enough rain to keep the mountains white with snow, thus keeping the farms watered through irrigation, during the summer. Oregon vegetation does stay green, especially the Western half of Oregon. Eastern Oregon is much drier, with less rainfall. I suppose that’s why it looks so barren and desolate.

On the Oregon Beaches, especially in the northern half of the state, you will find few sun bathers and even less using the surf as a playground. The water temperature is “cold”. I noticed my bare feet aching from the cold water this past weekend as we waded through the shallow surf. The waves came in and went out routinely, exposing the large sand bar where the kids were busy running to and fro picking up Sand Dollars of various sizes. These were not living so the kids were able to take them home. They collected a bag full before moving on to other adventures.

Star Fish and Crabs are always interesting to see up close, to hold and view intently from “stem to stern”. It’s fun to have them “pose” for photo shoots, even if they are dead.

Haystack Rock is a National marker for Cannon Beach. It’s probably one of the most photographed rocks on the West Coast. The birds that inhabit the massive haystack shaped rock were busy protecting their “turf” and their mates. It was mating season for some of the birds; perhaps it is everyday, I don’t know. A Coastal Marine Life Volunteer, an old lady who looked to be about 70, overheard me comment to my friend about the Gull “flapping his wings”. She said that he was probably on top of a female Gull. As a matter of fact………..

If you get a chance to go to the Oregon Coast, you would not be disappointed. The entire coastline scenery varies from place to place; all of it beautiful. Sea Lions and Seals abound along the secluded rocky shores and small islands of rock and grass, and can often be seen from certain vantage points foraging for food among the vegetation. A myriad of birds inhabit the area, making their nests upon the craggy rocks where four-legged predators cannot come. Whale watching and Whale watchers abound during the migration season. The Whales migrate between Alaska and Hawaii; ever moving along the deep Pacific waters to mate and give birth to babies in the warm waters of Hawaii.

Kite festivals, contests and meets are common up and down the coast. Annual seafood and wine festivals are commonplace, drawing massive crowds to sample the flavor of Oregon. Some of the best fireworks displays are along the Oregon Coast during the 4th of July and New Year’s Day celebrations.

I love this area of the world. The mountains are amazing, but the Sea is always changing, always alluring; ever drawing us near to watch its power.
http://www.cannon-beach.net/surfcam/cbsurfcam.html

Thirty-Six years ago today I arrived in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand (NKP, Thailand). I was assigned there temporarily for 30 days to help with the work of monitoring the Viet Cong military activity. It was great to get out of Vietnam for a little while and be stationed in a city where I could have more freedom. It was great to get out and about among the people to see a part of the world that few Americans get to see.

There wasn't much difference in the weather. How different is rain and mud ANYWHERE? Not every day was rainy and I enjoyed the warm sunshine, as well. People were friendly. The city was "third world"; very poor; people, without the things we americans take for granted. This was the first occasion I had to eat food that didn't come from the "Chow Hall" on base. Thai food was very good and I ate at the local restaurant near the main base entrance quite often during my 30 days stay in NKP. Getting around town was no problem. I could either take a Taxi, a Pedi-cab (bicycle cab), or walk.

I wasn't sure what kind of work I would be doing in Thailand, other than the same type I was doing in Vietnam. It actually turned out that way. The only difference was that we were flying over Laos. THAT was the scary part of the whole experience! Laos was extremely dangerous to aircraft and few prisoners were taken away from crash sites. Most would have been found bound together, tortured and shot in the back of the head. This was NOT a story I wanted to HEAR, but it was a matter of fact and we had little choice but to go on. Needless to say, I was running scared every day, almost kissing the ground with each successful landing!

My annual salary as a Buck Sargeant that year was $2000. Doesn't sound like much, huh? But I was very rich in comparison to the Thai people. I had tailor made suits and sport coats of exotic materials made for $20 to $40; tailor made leather shoes for $8; hand carved Ivory Chess Set for $25 (worth well over $800 now) and a silk tablecloth with 6 napkins for $1.50. Jewelry was very cheap for Star Sapphire's, etc. I bought a bunch of stuff and brought it back home with me. Later on in life, a house fire took the 3 suits and several sport jackets. A burglar relieved me of the burden of storing the jewlery. I still have the chess set.

I find it interesting to think back to these times. Memories are like movies in our minds. Many of the sights and sounds, even the smells are brought back to life through the memory reliving those times. Many of my memories, however, lie hidden, awakening only whenever a specific memory button is pushed. The strangest thing about these memories is that I no longer recall the danger. That makes the good things even better.