There's No Place Like Home

At the end of  "The Wizard of Oz" Dorthy is instructed to repeat to herself, "There's no place like home, There's no place like home".  As she repeats this over and over, clicks her ruby red heals three times a soft smile spreads across her face.  I've always wondered what she was thinking in that moment.  Was it the comforts of home, familiarity, her family or a memory.

For each of us HOME means different things.  It might be where you grew up or where your family is.  Instead of a place it might be a feeling or smell.  For me it is all of those things tied with a bow of memories.  Its the deep roots I have established that link me to my family, friends and the place I call home.

Mount Hood from the airplane

Last week I was HOME.  I visited all of my favorite places, enjoyed my favorite foods, visited some of my favorite people (there wasn't enough time to see everyone) and explored places I had not been in years.  It was a week filled with smiles, tight hugs, love, full tummies and so much joy.

A little tired, but enough energy for ice cream

Everyone knows that if you visit Portland and are a foodie then you need to hit the food carts, VooDoo Donuts and Salt 'n Straw.  We grabbed our ice cream treat as we drove to our hotel, but not before enjoying the city of Portland in lights.  I've always said that once I saw the city I knew I was home.  I had that feeling as we came into town.  I am starting to feel that in Maryland as we see the Jefferson Memorial or the DC temple.

Portland from the car

When we planned our trip there was no question where we would be spending our first full day, Cannon Beach.  Going to the beach in Oregon can be cloudy, cold and drippy or crystal clear blue sky and warm.  We lucked out, it was beautiful.  Haystack Rock stood out in all of its glory.  Walking the beach, squishing our toes in the cool sand felt like we had never left, we just missed a few trips out to our favorite coastal town.  

Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach

We did take some time to relax and listen to the waves crash.  While sitting quietly I realized that the beach is the only place that I truly relax.  It is as if the waves wash away my "To Do" lists and everything else occupying my thoughts.  So I took advantage of the time we had together, in our favorite place, listening to the crashing waves, breathing in the cool salty air to soak in all I could.

One of the reasons I wanted to travel home in June was to spend time with my team at school and see my past students, but I was nervous to see everyone.  I just wasn't sure how it would go.  Would people pass by with a hi or hello or would they really be excited to see me.  I know its dumb, but I was really nervous.  I had no reason to be nervous, I was overwhelmed by the love I received.  

More than just my team!

For two days I wondered the halls of the middle and elementary schools.  I spent time visiting with dear teacher friends, connecting with past students, taking down bulletin boards, end of year locker checks and watching an adorable play about the gestation of rainbow trout.  It was glorious.

Started as teachers, became co-workers, now the best of friends.

Between my days at school we headed to Timberline Lodge.  It had been years since I had visited this historic site, and Sean had never been.  I still can believe that we lived in Oregon almost 30 years and never made it.  Better late than never.  Just after we arrived the clouds lifted to uncover the tip of the mounting.  Again, we had a beautiful blue bird day complete with a yummy lunch at the lodge and a few relaxing moments in Adirondack chairs at the base of the mountain.  We had a lovely day.

Mount Hood

Historic Timberline Lodge

Our trip included a few other favorite spots. 

Shopping  was a must at two of my favorite places,  Woodburn Outlets because I haven't found a mall or outlet that is this amazing and WinCo. I have a lot of grocery store options near me, but none that have the selection or bulk food department like WinCo.

A more important stop than the grocery store was the Portland Temple.  Due to maintenance we could only drive around part of the temple.  We could still feel the reverence of the Lord's house even outside.  This temple has a special place in my heart.  It feels like home. 

 Tillamook Cheese Factory has been a family favorite especially after sporting events for ice cream.  So we joined many standing in line for squeaky cheese and scoops of our favorite ice cream.

Our last adventure was to Cape Meres with a dear friend.  The rainy weather cleared for a beautiful view of the ocean, forest and lighthouse.

Before flying back to Maryland we attended church in our old ward.  I want to call it my home ward, but it isn't.  It is the ward where I served with all my heart and received service that lifted and carried me.  It is the ward where friends became family.  

Our trip was more than I had hoped for.  Oregon is where my roots were planted 42 years ago.  Through those years my roots dug deep and spread beyond the shores of the Pacific.  Now I get to help Holly and Dreyton establish their family roots as Sean and I learn how to place roots in different places.  This visit helped me to realize that it is ok to have roots in different places.

There Is No Place Like Home, but I couldn't wait to get back to our sweet grandsons.

Kisses for Grammy