July 13 -15. Leave Them Wanting More. Day 17 and after-words. Part 3

Continued from: Leave Them Wanting More. July 13-15. Day 17 and after-words. Part 2. 

I rested and ate at the picnic table gazing out to sea and feeling pleased with my hike so far, particularly my daring little clamber (not to mention my discovery of a possible route) up from the beach to my rest spot. Photo 11 shows my picnic table. 

 

Trail 804 turned out to be a very lovely trail along the bluff overlooking rocky beaches. Photo 12 is a collage in honor of that 804 trail, and in honor of all the people who must have contributed hard work to design and build it, as well as the many people (including me!) who find joy in walking it. 

 

I put the wedding arch in the center because as soon as I saw it, I began wondering what it would be like to be married here, beside these rocks where the water keeps flinging itself against them and shooting up into the air. I stood under the arch and mentally repeated my vow to Chris:

I, River Malcolm, choose you, Christine Downing, as my mate, hoping, with the help of grace and our friends, to be to you a loving and faithful mate as long as we both shall live. 

I imagined hearing Chris repeat her vow to me. 

I, Christine Downing, choose you, River Malcolm, as my mate, hoping, with the help of grace and our friends, to be to you a loving and faithful mate as long as we both shall live. 

Wedding vows were on my mind after attending grandson Andy's wedding in Nashville. Andy and Heather's vows were so natural, so totally in their own voices, full of love and humor - I was very much inspired by them. But I realized there is also a value in short simple vows. I cannot tell you how often I have repeated this vow to myself in hard times to anchor my intentions. 

When I called Chris and recounted this experience (imaginary vow exchange) she told me that I had gotten the vows (slightly) wrong - the actual wording was "with the help of our friends and with grace."  I hung up thinking what a miracle a lasting marriage really is - we two couldn't even agree about what our vows had been!

After the trail ended, I walked awhile on a quiet coastal road, so much nicer than highway 101. I caught sweet glimpses of ocean between houses, and also passed a small, simple manufactured home with a beautiful  mural painted on it. (Collage, photo 13). 

 

By now I was pretty close to the Amanda trail that climbs to the top of Cape Perpetua. First came a short walk on 101 over a bridge - a simple, homely bridge that inspired my affection precisely because of its total lack of elegance, and that also caused me to reflect on the word "homely" - that it might be a positive trait - "homely," a quality with which one can feel at home, and at ease. Photo 14 is the homely bridge. 

 

After the bridge there was another coast road (not 101) and I stopped to rest and eat, sitting in the grass with a view of the sea. Photo 15 is a collage of sea view, sad Rivvy face as she reckons with the injury to her feet, and the carefully handcrafted dressing of the foot injuries. 
 
 

Maybe you are wondering if this particular blog post is ever going to end. I'm wondering the same thing. It's hard to let go of this blog, as it's hard to let go of the trail. I guess I am hoping for some stunning insight that will turn my world upside down and around - and make me feel, deep inside, that everything is going to be alright. 

But instead of a stunning insight, writing this blog is just putting one foot in front of the other, and walking down the trail. What I thought was going to be a shoulder walk on 101 turned out to be a magnificent trail just above the highway with a view of both highway and ocean (photo 16).

 

 To be continued in: Leave Them Wanting More. July 13-15. Day 17 and after-words. Part 4. 

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