Rockaway Retreat

This past week I had the pleasure of taking some much needed days of rest and retreat - my first days of retreat in months. I was free from the parish from Wednesday afternoon to Saturday afternoon and I spent that time on the Oregon coast. 

The Holy Cross house at Surf Pines was being worked on, so I accepted the gracious invitation of the Good Shepherd Sisters to use their house in Rockaway Beach, Oregon.

Unlike the house at Surf Pines, this house is directly on the beach, so even just sitting in the living room, or lying in bed, I had phenomenal views of the Pacific:

I had plenty of time to sleep in, pray, read, and walk on the beach. I'd never spent any length of time in Rockaway and the beach there is quite nice:

I also took an afternoon and drove the Three Capes Loop, probably for the last time given that I am leaving Oregon in July. The Three Capes are Cape Lookout, Cape Kiwanda, and Cape Meares, which includes a cute little lighthouse,

and great views of the cliffs:

I concluded my drive with a couple of beers and dinner at Pelican Brewery in Pacific City, Oregon. During my time on the coast I also made the requisite visit to the Tillamook Creamery for a scoop or two of German Chocolate Cake ice cream!!

While I would have enjoyed having even more time for retreat, I am grateful for what I had. It was a valuable time for prayer, especially as I will be in the throes of transition for most of 2009!