Around the Corner

My buddy and I often have discussions on hiking here in Canada, where I was born and hiking in Scotland where he was born. He loves the openness of the hills and I jokingly tell him that it is better hiking here in the trees because you can’t see what’s around the corner or the view until you come out of the forest. Then you have these wonderful moments of awe, whereas in Scotland you can see where you are going and have a view the whole way to the summit, there is no mystery. The teasing though is all in good fun, both are beautiful places filled with mystery.

This past week we all travelled down to Lincoln City on the Oregon coast to explore the wonderful beaches and get some much needed respite from life. I loved the long vast open beach and the sound of the waves as they crash onto the shore.



The view of the beach upon our arrival

Our first morning out we walked/ran down the beach and back again for a total of 16kms.  We didn’t quite make it to the end though so drove back down later that evening when the tide was out. 

Heading down the beach

I love the soft beach sand, the cliffs and the huge stones that protrude along the shoreline. The yellow sandstone of the cliffs was so colourful and beautiful with it's different layers.



The colourful layers of sandstone

As we reached what was almost the end, there was a large but shallow cave and my adventurous spirit was tweaked.  I couldn’t wait to see what was around the corner and quickly ran to see what lay ahead.

Approaching what could be the end of the beach

My mouth opened in awe as there, around the corner were these beautiful free standing large rocks poking out of the sand. They were very huge and standing next to them we felt quite small.

Amazing!

A couple of them had openings and one had a tiny tunnel all the way through.  It was magical and I was so thrilled that we had come back to reach this place. My heart always fills with joy and thankfulness when I come across these places in nature that not only surprise me but have mystery in their creation.

The beginning of a tiny tunnel

 We explored the area, checking out the sea life that clung to the rocks and went as far as we could as the tide was coming in.

Purple starfish, my childhood favourite

No worries though, we could return tomorrow when the tide would be lower to see what was around the next corner and return we did.



Colourful sea life

First thing in the morning we headed back and this time we were able to go around even another corner.  There were more stones and two wonderful caves.

Perfect place for a game of hide and seek!

One of them was very long and deep and it was fun to walk into the darkness not knowing how far away the end of the cave was. The light shining in from the opening didn’t reach way into the back but it did give us light to return by. As in life it is the "light" that brings us warmth and shows us the way.

Light to show us the way to return

As I explored the coast line, running from rock to rock, I couldn’t help but be thankful for all that life brings. Life is a lot like the trails and beaches. We never know what will be around the next corner; we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Life is a huge mystery and it is in the mystery that we can experience magical moments, find magical places in creation and be thankful for all that is.

Magical places

We had two glorious days on the beach exploring it in every direction and continuing to be in awe over it's wonders. On our return trip home, we stopped at Hug Point and once again I was filled with an inner joy and peacefulness as we explored the beach. It actually was suppose to be a very quick stop to just look at the beach and to share in a group hug.

Ah more wonderful caves!

 However, once I saw the beach, the caves and the waterfall I had to go and just see what was actually around the corner. Where did that wonderful flow of water come from?

Beautiful waterfall

I have always had a great sense of curiousity and yes at times it has gotten me into a bit of trouble but when out exploring curiousity can be a wonderful thing. I climbed up and was so thankful that I did for it was a fairty tale place of wonder.




An oasis of beauty and peacefulness


More exploring was required so around the corner I had to go. My eyes opened wide and I smiled with joy. Around the corner were more huge rocks, a circular cave and beautiful sandstone cliffs and they all needed exploring.

 

Amazing works of art in creation

As we reached the end there was a wonderful pathway in the stone around the cliff. One would have thought that it had been purposefully built. I ran up and around the next corner. Sadly I had to stop as the tide was coming in and our time was running out. I knew if I continued I would never be able to stop myself and we did need to return home that day.

I must admit that I often wish I knew the future and what tomorrow would bring. It would make life so much easier but I also know it would be very boring. The adventure of life is in the mystery of what is around that next corner. We just have to be curious enough to go and check it out.



On the "road"

There are so many pathways in life.



The pathway along the cliffs

Here at the beach and in our lives.

Through the sea grass

We have to be wise in our choosing but also curious enough to go and see what mystery is around the next corner. At evening close, as the sun sets we never know what the morning will bring, what pathway we may stumble across in a new day, what mystery lies around the next corner.

Sunset on the beach

Just like life, I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, I don’t know where I will be a year from now or what I will be doing. Life is a beautiful mystery filled with so many wonderful blessings.  I am so thankful that I am physically able to get out and explore beaches and trails, that I can climb hills and peek around the corner. I am so very thankful for friends that share their adventures with me. Life truly is filled with blessing upon blessing.

Adding to creations art work

I left there not knowing what was around that next corner on the rock road. Maybe that is a good thing. If I ever return there will be something new to explore and who knows what could be around that corner. The "not knowing" allows our imagination to dream of wonderful, inspiring places in nature that will surprise us.

What is around that nex corner?

Thank you Duncan and Joan for a wonderful four days of discovering some of life's mysteries, for laughter over past stories and discussions on what pathway life will take us on next. It's an amazing adventure we're on and I'm so thankful for the friendships, the mysteries and especially those "corners".

So long Oregon coast until we meet again!