After 5 weeks of touring and a hectic week in 3 different cities with my family, I really wanted some quiet time for the beginning of the new year. I wanted ocean views, friendly people and no plans.
Enter, Heceta Head Lighthouse B&B in Yachats, Oregon.
The view from my room:
I came in late on the 31st and just caught the last sunset of 2011
I spent my last night of 2011 writing, thinking and reveling in all the silence and the ocean surf and I was in bed before midnight. I’ve spent quite a few of 2011’s nights on the other side of midnight so I figured it wouldn’t hurt me to get some sleep.
The first morning of 2012 started with a 7 course breakfast:
This was mango lassi, which came after the fish course And while I’m the biggest fan of breakfast that the world has ever seen, I’ve never had a 7 course breakfast. I hope that bodes well for unexpected and extravagant meals in 2012!
The sun was out, the sky was blue and it was about 65 degrees on January 1, 2012 so I walked up to the lighthouse.
And got to see what the inside of the light in a lighthouse looks like:
Isn’t that cool? The bullseyes magnify and project the light so only one 1000 watt bulb can be seen for miles.
The views from the lighthouse hill are also extraordinary
I love the double reflection.
And after all that exertion I spent the rest of the day on the porch with some of the other B&B guests, sharing stories, reading books and hanging out. It couldn’t have been better.
Here’s to a brand new year!
Gypsy Queen 
Looks lovely. It was very good to see you again. Love you.
Likewise :) XOXO
Very good for you. The PNW has some gems, for sure.
I’ll be very happy to see you again someday. We’ll be moving from Olympia back down to LA next winter.
Corwin! I actually thought of you as I drove past a sign for Olympia and wondered if you were still living there. Wish I had thought of it sooner. I would love to see you again, also. Perhaps in LA? I’m out there from time to time. Keep in touch. Are you still blogging?
Love the last two posts and would be more jealous if I were sitting at home in Tucson but as I am in Ft. Collins Co I am at least a bit less envious of you today. And you were the topic of conversation last night as we sat having dinner at the Japanese restaurant which was delicious of course started poorly when they tried to seat us on the floor in the tea room – you have met Lance right 6’6″ 300 – not happening but was quite humorous to me. I was thinking this would be a great place for you close to the Denver metropolis but collegiate enough for your writing and seems to have a decent amount of good restaurants and even some cultural events. Let me know when you are back in the desert so we can have coffee. xo
I can only imagine poor Lance sitting cross legged on the floor of a teahouse :) I’m back in Tucson for a bit. Call or email me when you’ve got time and we’ll get together. Happy new year! XOX
You were just a few miles down the coast from Coal. He lives down the street from Yaquina Lighthouse in Newport and his mom owns a gallery in Newport. Would have sent you that way for some good art and wine. Your pics looked way too familiar. Glad you enjoyed…
I wish I had known that! I actually ate in Newport on my way down to Yachats, I would have stopped in the gallery too :) If you end up that way, check out the lighthouse. It’s super cool.