A Moby Dick Photo Montage

The living room

Favorite chair

The foyer

 Corner table where I did a lot of writing

The front gate

The front of the hotel

H

Yummy carrots in the garden

Some of the surviving chickens

The yoga yurt

Heading out to the sauna hut

Buddha

The bay behind the hotel

Trail out to the bay

The back of the Moby Dick with freshly mowed lawn

Antonio at work

Another Buddha

Sitting in front of a roaring fire on what is probably my next to last night at the Moby Dick. What a wonderful gift this has been.

As I turned on the gas of the left hand burner of the big Wolf stove, I thought about how many meals I have cooked in this kitchen now. I love turning on the music - Nora Jones, Dr. Hook, John Hiatt, Bonnie Raitt, The Beatles, Mark Cohn, Sippie Wallace, Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Jim Croce have kept me company while chopping vegetables and making various culinary creations.

Stir fry vegetables with brown rice, potato croquet stuffed with beet and carrot, pasta with fresh greens from the garden, pizza with broccoli, cauliflower, garlic and jalapenos, Indian butter chicken, samosa, fresh bean burritos made with Gail's homemade chile verde have been some of my favorite meals.

I like turning on the heaters in the living room in the morning while I make my tea and when it gets warm enough, I roll out my yoga mat and move my body while looking at the gorgeous green trees outside, seeing the cats come by, sometimes a momma deer and her baby wander through the yard and peer in the window to see what I'm up to. It feels so calm and peaceful while I'm practicing.

I have enjoyed exploring the Long Beach peninsula and beyond. Astoria has come to be one of my favorite places. There's a really good vibe there. I like the long promenade at Seaside and the endless beach and cute little shops. I have made friends with the ladies at the Ocean Park library where I spend time checking out movies and doing a little research on the history of the area. It's been fascinating looking at old photos of the house I'm staying in and seeing the parties and people and some of the same furniture, fireplace and pictures on the walls that are still here now. The mirror above the fireplace is the same. I am looking into the same mirror each day that people 80 years ago looked into as they sipped a cocktail and played card games around the fire.

I have come to look forward to Dean's visit almost every day. He started out being the gruff 85 year old guy who wasn't gonna take any crap. But as we talk each day over tea, he has told me much about his family; his wife of sixty-something years, his daughter and his son who was killed in a motorcycle accident, his grandkids and great grandkids. I know a little about each one. He has told me of his childhood on the farm and of raising his own family and how great he and his wife work together. She knows everything there is to know about gardening. He feels that he doesn't have a whole lot of time left on this earth, and that's ok with him. He spends a lot of time helping older people in their homes and he helps out at the care center. He has a very soft heart inside of a gruff exterior. He reminds me of my dad in some ways and I wonder if he can talk to his daughter like he talks to me. Sometimes it's easier to be open with strangers.

Antonio and I have developed a good relationship too. He teaches me words in spanish and wants to work on his english with me. He's always interested in what I'm cooking in the kitchen and despite him thinking what I cook is strange, he always tries it and he pretends to like it. He has a sweet tooth and I try to keep the candy bowl in the kitchen filled for him. But sometimes in the wee hours of the lonely cold nights, it somehow seems to disappear.

Antonio

Fritzi and Keith, the owners of the Moby Dick will be home tomorrow or the next day. It will be nice to meet them in person. I will thank them for this rich experience I've had in their historic home and in their community.

And my dear friend Minette....she thought of me when this opportunity came up and recommended me to the owners. She knew it would be a good adventure for me here, and it certainly has. An adventure with so many levels. Thank you from the bottom of my soul, Minette.

Coming Home

On this day, November 1, 2011 (11-1-11) I wake up very early and feel the need to write. The pen flows across the paper at lightening speed. I am not thinking, just writing.

I'm in my bed, in the Native American room at the Moby Dick Hotel, week four and I ask myself Why Am I Here? What has this last month been about? 

It's about hibernation. Quiet time. Resting. Gathering my strength and my courage. Ready to jump off to the next adventure. I have been spending time with Me. Loving myself. Trusting myself. 

The closer I get to my soul, the less far ahead my vision becomes. I don't need to see the future. The future is right now. The next moment. I enjoy each one. Each breath, each sip of hot rosella tea with slices of fresh ginger, each morsel of food that passes my lips, each sip of red wine and each square of chocolate. Each dish I wash in the hot soapy water, each page I turn of my book, each episode of Ally McBeal or Arrested Development I watch on the DVDs rented from the library. 

It's SO quiet here. Quiet quite unlike any I have ever heard. The stars and the trees, the ocean and the bay and the crow of the chickens keep me company. 

The fear that creeps into my mind and my stomach in the dark of night are here to teach me. I am strong. I am protected and I am loved.

How strong are my beliefs and my practices when I am alone? It's easy when I'm around like-minded souls, but when I'm alone for long periods, then the truth comes out.

And I like the truth that I see.

T & J Come to Washington

Taylor and Julian came to visit me at the Moby Dick last week, and man did we have us a time.

I drove to Portland last Sunday and spent the day with my dear friend Travis and his partner Glenn, who I haven't seen in a long time. It was great to catch up with them and meet their friends and have dinner together. I spent the night in their cozy guest room and in the morning headed to the airport to pick up Taylor and Julian. I was so excited to see them coming down the escalator when they arrived.

Julian was pretty wired too. He wanted to touch everything, the moving stairs, the moving luggage belt, wanted to play on the moving walkway....jeez. So many moving, fun parts. They had a good flight and were happy to be here too.

We loaded up in the car and headed out of town towards the Oregon coast. We ended up in Tillamook, where we had a yummy lunch, visited a petting farm and sampled a lot of amazing cheeses. We had a nice drive up the coast on a gorgeous, sunny day and arrived at the Moby Dick in the afternoon.

Taylor and Julian both loved this big old house and wanted to explore all the nooks and crannies. We got them tucked into their room and decided to make some dinner in the wonderful kitchen. In fact, the three of us spent a lot of time in that kitchen making the most delicious meals, listening to music, drinking wine and being creative with food. Julian is especially creative in his culinary endeavors.

The next day we went to Long Beach and Julian was in heaven. He loved the feel of the sand in his toes, watching the waves crashing, chasing seagulls and making sand castles for the king and queen, with a little flag on top. And a side door for nana :). I think he would have run for miles down the beach if we hadn't reeled him back. I could see that his little 3 year old heart felt so free and untethered. We have so many rules in our lives, starting from when we are young - necessary rules - but rules nonetheless. To run or walk on the "world's longest beach" on a sunny day is a very freeing feeling indeed.

After a couple of hours on the beach, we had lunch in the port town of Illwaco. We walked among the boats and fed the seagulls our leftover french fries. There was one seagull who was missing a leg, and this bird made quite an impression on Julian. Julian kept repeating that the bird's leg was gone. And later when he woke up from his nap, he was still talking about it....

We came home that night and made a scrumptious meal of Indian butter chicken and samosa. It was amazing. We cooked for several hours and had so much fun. Julian had his own bowl of things he was preparing - it included water, salt, pepper, leftover onion skins and tomato parts, some milk, sugar and whatever else was close to him. He was having a blast.

We set up our table with candles, silver and napkins and some nice wine and enjoyed our meal so much. It tasted amazing and was filled with love.

The next day was rainy and cold out so we stayed in for a good part of the day. After Julian's nap, we went out for a drive and picked up some movies at the library and made some dinner.

The third day was a another nice sunny one and we enjoyed the beach again. Julian loves nature and the outdoors. He's very connected to it....he should maybe live on a beach someday...

All too soon it was time to drive back to Portland to take them to the airport. We had a such a great visit together and I'm glad they could come and have adventures with me at the Moby Dick. It was definitely a time we will never forget.

Adventures on the Long Beach Peninsula

It's been about 2 weeks since I arrived in this interesting little part of the world.

I knew it was off season here on the Long Beach Peninsula and there probably would not be any guests at the Moby Dick, but I guess I didn't realize that the whole 25 mile radius is pretty much shut down as well.

It gives the word "quiet" a whole new meaning. Not that there's anything wrong with quiet. I like quiet.

When I go to a shop or a restaurant here, it's a gamble whether it's even open on any given day. Most things are closed on Monday, after staying open Saturday and Sunday hoping for the wayward, brave winter traveler to grace them with their presence and their dollars.

I have enjoyed driving around and exploring the outlying areas here. Especially with my friend Minette who has been coming here since she was very little with her mom and spending time with her grandparents who spent summers here. She knows the peninsula intimately and it is a joy to tromp around with her. Last weekend we went to Cape Disappointment, The Graveyard of the Pacific, since so many shipwrecks have happened there.

Cape Disapointment

We went to Minette's favorite place, Mermaid Cove and spent time sifting through the mounds of driftwood, rocks and creatures there. Then off to the lighthouse for a most spectacular view of the end of the peninsula. Then lunch in Ilwaco and back to the MB to settle in for snacks and movies. The next day we hiked around Leadbetter State Park, which is the opposite end of the peninsula and was magical. Around the Bay side and into the forest and back out for a nice little loop. You can easily hike over to the ocean but we were a little limited on time that day, so we did a short version.

Leadbetter Point

Astoria Column

Yesterday I went to Astoria, Oregon which is across the Astoria Bridge and is about 22 miles from Ocean Park, my temporary home. I had a great time there. It's a sweet little town on the waterfront with lovely victorian homes perched along the hillside over the water. It was a gorgeous sunshiny day with lots of people about. I poked around in cute little shops, had lunch on the water, saw the maritime museum, the house where the movie "The Goonies" was filmed, toured the George Flavel House which was built in 1886 and was stunningly beautiful. Just before I left town, I drove up a windy street to the top of a hill where the Astoria Column resides. I was so glad I did. The view from there was breathtaking.

Goonies house

I drove back to Ocean Park and made a delicious meal of beans with onion, carrots, broccoli and indian spices and settled in for more movie watching. Needless to say, I've been watching a lot of films and doing a lot of reading and have enjoyed it very much.

This morning I went for a long walk along the beach boardwalk with the warm sun at my back and not a cloud in the sky. Everyone was smiling and happy, black tailed deer munched on grasses and everyone wanted to chat.

beach walking

Every day is such a gift and I am always counting my many blessings. Life takes us in such extraordinary journey when we can loosen our grip on long held beliefs that keep us bound.

I am letting go and free-floating down the river of my life.

sunset at Ocean Park beach

Sound and Silence at The Moby Dick

I have been here at the Moby Dick Hotel inn-sitting for one week now, and I'm falling into a nice routine that looks like this:

I wake up each morning around 7 turn on the heat in my little corner room and wait while it gets toasty warm. I trod downstairs to the big kitchen and make myself some tea and some toast, arrange it on my little silver tray and take it backupstairs to my warm room. I read for a while, write in my journal and enjoy the coming day through the two big windows that look out on the back of the property and the Willapa Bay. There are two Buddhas sitting under ancient trees in the yard and I can see them both from my room. They comfort me.

I take a shower and head downstairs again, put on some music, roll out my yoga mat in the parlor/living room with the old piano and funky chairs and stretch my stiff body. The bed is a little bit hard for my taste in beds and I'm a little achy when I get up. But I've slept in so many different places in the last year or so, that it doesn't bother me too much.

Antonio arrives every day around 11 to feed the chickens, gather the eggs and tend the garden. On the weekends he's been busy painting all the trim on the hotel. His wife Lupe comes to clean the hotel and do the laundry once a week. Today, we chat a little when he's done. His english is limited (he says) but I think he understands a lot more than he lets on.

Today he asks me "jew no husband?" I explain to him that I've had two delightful husbands, but now I am single. I tell him I have a daughter (about 3 years younger than him, it turns out) and one grandson. He thinks about this a while and shakes his head "but jew beddy no old. How jew have grandson?" God bless him. And finally he asks "jew no boring here alone?"

Good question, Antonio....

Moby Dick and Me

Last month I was asked by a friend if I would consider coming up to Nahcotta Washington and "inn sit" for her friend's bed & breakfast. I didn't hesitate before I said "yes". She was as surprised as I at the quick response and asked if I wanted to think about it. I said "No. I'll be there."

I'm pretty much always up for an adventure and don't want to let anything pass me by....and since I really didn't have anything pressing planned for October, I thought why not? Maybe Richard Gere will walk into the B&B and we'll ride off into the sunset on his bicycle built for two. Hey, stranger things have happened...

I left California and drove almost 500 miles the first day. Spent the night in Roseburg, Oregon at a lovely little motel. The next day I headed north for a while into the deeper splendors of Oregon. It's so green and lush and gorgeous. Much like Bali, but with freeways and McDonalds off every exit. 

I headed North and West through the most glorious wine country and was soon on the Oregon coast and crossing the Washington state border where I quickly arrived at the Moby Dick. 

The hotel was built in 1929. It was always a hotel and a happening restaurant. It's big and square shaped and yellow, with red trim around doors and windows, which is very welcoming indeed. 

When I walked through the front door, I felt very comfortable. Coming down the hallway and into the large double living room was like coming to grandma's house. There are funky, overstuffed chairs and couches everywhere. Wacky, mis matched lamps adorn every flat surface while power cords snake under each rug and chair to the few wall sockets they can find. 

Two separate sitting areas make for great places to sit and talk. One has a fireplace as its centerpoint and the other is has a television and a piano. There are more books and magazines here than a library. I could be here for years and years and not read everything. 

The dining room and restaurant style kitchen take up the whole front of the building. The dining room will hold around 25 people and has a lovely view of the gardens and the driveway. 

Upstairs there are 10 bedrooms, each with its own theme. They are lovely but seem a bit rundown. In fact the whole place could use a big hug and a bigger scrub. I'm not sure what's happening with the owners, but it seems they have run out of steam for right now. This place could be even more brilliant and fantastic with a little love. 

In the back of the large property there is a beautiful yurt with a heated bamboo floor. Just perfect for yoga classes and retreats. Further back, facing the Willapa Bay, there is a Japanese sauna in a cute little wooden building.  The property is edged by a dense forest on one side and the coyotes make themselves known at night as they bark and howl at each other.

There is a good energy here. It's quiet and calm and I'm glad to be at the Moby Dick. I've spent two nights alone and it's ok so far. It's a big place to be a alone in, but I go upstairs to my little corner, lock myself in and sleep quite well. 

Antonio comes each day to feed the chickens, gather eggs, tend the large organic vegetable garden and do other odd jobs. His wife Lupe comes to clean once a week. 83 year old Dean comes each day just to say hello and to have a cup of tea. He's a funny guy and seems hungry for a little company. After just a few visits, I know everything about his kids, grandkids, great grandkids, his health, his life and travels. 

I'll be here for another four weeks and look forward to getting to know this little peninsula of Long Beach. There is a lot of great history here and greater walking and hiking to be done. If it ever stops raining, that is.