It's That Time of the Year

It's that time of the year, when the world falls in love, every song you hear seems to say Merry Christmas...... No, wait, I'm a little off kilter here......uh, let's see....... oh yeah...what I meant to say was that it's getting to be that time of year when one's mind wanders. Gently and gracefully. Casually, nearly. To THIS. I created this map last summer with instructions on how to get to either of Portland's two clothing-optional beaches. And you may remember my earlier writings about how I ever came to be a clothing-optional sort of guy in the first place. And if you're a true member of the Pacific Northwest, you'll start to think about these sorts of things when the temperature stretches toward, oh say, around 60 or so. I mean, a warm 60. Not the cloudy, cold and wet 60. And 70, for sure, is beach weather. Although 75-80 is my favorite. My beach backpack is ready to roll -- sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a towel. I typically take a snack -- crackers and cheese, peanut butter sandwich, carrots, chips, or something like that. Plus a huge bottle of water and a diet soda. Rarely, do I drink at the beach. I'm usually one of the first ones at the beach.....especially on weekdays, which is when I typically go. I'm there close to 10-11am. It's quiet, warm. And I get my first choice of parking spaces! The ships go up and down the Columbia River on their way to the Pacific Ocean. And the breeze blows the trees around -- which is one of my all-time favorite sounds. In fact, there is this one cozy little particular spot that we like to sit in. A bit of shade. A bit of sun. And this bush that shades the spot has one little teeny tiny leaf on it that makes this peculiar little clicking noise when the breeze blows it......over and over. We've heard it for years now.

So, don't be shy, the time is coming. Join me if you're in the Portland area. Or, for all of my Seattle friends, come on down.....as Bob Barker would say.