“Sixteen thirty-two. What is that? A year?”
A few months ago Sizzle and I were g-chatting, when somewhere between quoting The Goonies and swooning over Seth Rogen the idea to spend New Year’s Eve on the Oregon Coast was born. We were both instantly psyched about the idea, as were two other great and hilarious friends, and thus deposits and plans were made.
December 31st we checked into the Seasprite (which I definitely recommend) and quickly realized we were staying literally yards away from one of the prettiest stretches of beach on the Oregon Coast. I’ve always been quite smitten with Cannon Beach, babycarrot sister having lived there for two years and me having spent ample time there with her and Will and other awesome friends and family (and it also being Iggy’s favorite place on the entire planet), and will forever maintain that it’s impossible for me to visit Cannon Beach and not have a profoundly shiny, happy time.
Cannon Beach plays host to a slew of wild rabbits all year round, but the ones who live at the Seasprite, I quickly discovered, run toward you when you approach them exclaiming “BUNNIES. Hey, you guys! Look at the BUNNIES!” Here’s Lola (which I just named her even though I’m not sure she’s really a “her” at all):
The view from our beach house, which also doubled as the reason I was pouting at check-out on Saturday:
On Thursday night Sizzle made us a tasty dinner of stuffed chicken and couscous, because she is amazing:
When we first talked about renting a place on the coast for New Year’s Eve I said I thought it would be AMAZING! to jump into the Pacific Ocean at midnight. (Filed under: Things you should never say to Long Story Longer if you don’t 100% mean it.) I did (mostly) mean it, though at five minutes to midnight with rain pelting down and wind whipping so hard it was comical, the ocean didn’t so much look inviting as, you know, INSANE.
We did it, and I’m so glad because it was incredible (albeit incredibly frigid, HOLY CRAP), symbolic, and laden with a lot of laughter and screams that went something like “OH MY FREEZING.” “SHIIIIT.” “I CAN’T FEEL MY FEET!” “WOOO-HOOOO!”
Some of my favorite quotes from NYE day, and night:
“I love the wind. It’s my favorite weather.”
“That bunny is scaring me right now.”
“I can’t see! I have glaucoma! Oh wait, it’s just the windshield wiper.”
“He’s a bouquet-maker.”
“A BOOMBOX. How badly do I want put that on my shoulder and walk down the beach right now?”
“Peppermint Joe-Joe’s, I love you.”
“It’s been two dates; we don’t know how we feel about this guy. We’re neutral about this guy.” “We’re Switzerland.” “YES EXACTLY.”
“I got in trouble for dancing.” “JUST LIKE FOOTLOOSE.”
“I can’t feel my feet.” “I know! It’s AWESOME.”
“I want to travel internationally, eat ice-cream, and surf.”
Some of my favorite shots from our coastal getaway:
In summary:
It was an incredibly moving/hilarious/peaceful weekend with three incredibly wonderful women I am so thankful to know.
Also:
This year is going to be incredible for all the right reasons. I just know it.
Your photos just capture it. It was really wonderful to be there with you three and to welcome 2010 together. It’s going to be epic in its awesomeness.
Love you.
One of my favorite memories with my hometown bff was after the wedding of a mutual friend, when we decided to ditch the wedding and go skinnydipping. I was going through some big changes at the time: I’d left someone a year and a half earlier but was only just then realizing that it meant forever, and I’d unexpectedly fallen for someone new and in my mind, completely unsafe and ridiculous(I’ve since married him … ahem). At any rate, these thoughts all came crashing into me at that wedding, and at some point I just had to get out of the reception or risk my head exploding. My bff to the rescue, we headed out across the street to the ocean, where the wind was whipping and things seemed infinitely calmer than inside a wedding celebration I finally realized I wasn’t going to have with the man I’d been involved with for eight years. We threw caution – and our clothes – to the wind and dived into the surf at midnight, laughing like hyenas. Even now, when I think of my most freeing moment, it’s that one, and it makes me smile every time.
Thanks for sharing, and happy new year to you.
I have those same “this year is going to be awesome!” feelings and this whole post made me happy. I love Cannon Beach, too.
I was following along with all your tweets last weekend, but thank you for the recap here :)
I’m sorry, but I really think we might be twins. Your title? KILLS ME. God, I love you. and Chunk. I love him too.
Happy New Year to you!
I spy the haystacks! Gorgeous photos (I especially love your crazy-ass jump-in-the-ocean at midnight one)!
Happy new year Kerri Anne!
*raises a virtual glass of effervescent alcohol*
i was just telling some folks here at work how great the weekend was.
and, i don’t know that they could understand the EPICNESS of it. and maybe i don’t want them to know anyway.
i like my life changing moments kept to myself and those *in the room* sometimes
thanks for sharing yourself a wee bit more this weekend. i am grateful.
also my favorite: “He’s a bouquet-maker.”
xo.
Kerri! SO much fun. Way to ring in the new years right, fo real. Mama Ocean has a way of stripping away the gunk and replenishing with the fresh. Yay you ladies!
Oh, I agree. 2010 is going to be rad.
I loved reading this (and seeing your guys’ Tweets all weekend.
See you in FOUR SLEEPS!
That picture of you, post (crazy, better-you-than-me) ocean dip is SO GREAT. I can just see the sheer exhilaration on your face.
Taking a cue from Angella above (who I FINALLY get to meet!), just FIVE sleeps until I get see that lovely face. YAY!
beaches and bunnies make everything better.
also? never jumping in cold water with you no matter how much you dazzle me with your awesome.
Yay! A great wrap up of a lovely getaway. What a meaningful way to start off the year.
And I love that pic of you post-dip. :)
Oh what an amazing time! And your pictures? I’m completely swooning over this.
This is my idea of a perfect getaway. Right down to the wild bunnies.
BUNNIES!!!
What a perfect way to spend New Year’s Eve. That goes on my list for next year. (And I’m with you on the peppermint joe joes.)
Now THAT is a fearless way to ring in the new year. Congrats. :)
Um, this really makes me want to be friends with you and your other awesome ladies. I’m glad you had a really happy New Year. You deserve it!
looks like an amazing trip! love your photos. especially the one with the rain drops. gorgeous.
happy new year!