Back on the Road Again

After two weeks visiting family and taking a break from van life, I am back on the road again. I made my way to the Oregon Coast and slowly moving along the coast enjoying amazing views out of the back of my van.

In between Depot Bay and Newport is a great place to see the humpback whales. I had a favorite spot to park my van during the day and for sunsets, where I saw several whales quite close to shore. This area had deeper waters close to shore and didn’t have a beach. I was unable to get a picture because the whales only surfaced very short periods of time and went right back under the water.  So I borrowed a photo as a reminder of this amazing experience.  I was able to identify where the whales were by the spouting.

This leg of the journey seems to be more about writing and reflection and less about hiking and activity.  I’ve spent long hours curled up in the back of my van with my journal writing down my inner reflections and the wisdom of higher guidance.

The coast is quite cool, compared to other places I’ve been and the wind has been very strong.  The cool temperatures inspire going into my Van Cave, to break the wind.  I often have the doors open, depending on which direction the wind is blowing.  I feel fortunate that my little condo on wheels has seen some amazing views.

My first night at the beach, I had another encounter with a young man, twenty something, I would guess.  I went to a Thai Restaurant to get “take out” and this bright, happy young man greeted me with a big “HI” as I walked in the door.  Just like the experience at Birch Bay, I was taken a bit by surprise and I asked him if he worked there.  He said, “No, I just like the food.”  I sat down next to him and we had a great talk about “living in vehicles,”  and music.  We were both musicians and were currently living in our vehicles.  Within minutes we were talking like two old friends and passed the time as I ordered and waited for my food.  Joshua shared his music with me and I shared a bit of mine with him.  We said our goodbyes and parted ways.  I enjoyed my Thai food at my favorite bluff, as I watched the glorious sunset.  (If you are reading this Joshua, this is me saying hi and thank you for your kindness.)

There was a very beautiful, majestic cloud formation in the sky that night.

Sometimes along the road of life, we have the opportunity to experience the random kindness of strangers, who are really “friends in disguise.”  It is as if “light recognizes light” and “love recognizes love.”  Just this morning, prior to sitting down to write this post, a stranger bought my coffee.  The coffee house preferred cash to credit and I didn’t have anything smaller than a hundred, which they couldn’t break.  I went to grab my debit card and the man behind me in line paid for my coffee.  Of course, this felt amazing and I had a smile on my face that seemed to be contagious as I became aware of others smiling at me.  Smiles are so infectious.  We need to use them more often.

Have you ever seen the video where someone on a commuter train started laughing.  The laughter was contagious and all the solemn faces on the train just couldn’t contain their smiles.  Everybody on the train was laughing within a short time and people were getting on the train to this overwhelming presence of happiness and laughter.  They couldn’t help but to join in.  People were getting off the train with big smiles on their faces.

We have such power to affect others positively with just a warm heart, a kind smile and a caring act.  If each morning when we wake up we can ask the question “how can I grow in greater love today?”  We will be guided and given opportunities to let our love light shine.