Jeff and I are moving. Let’s just throw it out there, otherwise it’d be the big white elephant in this post. We made the (super hard) decision to leave our beloved Portland, leave our rad Nike jobs, leave our amazing West Coast friends, and embark on a new adventure in Grand Rapids, Mich., starting next month. I’m in a state of mild shock, I believe, despite the mountain of moving boxes that have accumulated in our apartment, and despite the fact that we’re halfway through the process of purchasing our very own colonial-style home outside downtown G.R. Jeff starts his new gig at Herman Miller on June 16, and I need to figure out what the Michigan version of me will do for a living. We’re excited to live smack dab in the center of our dear families in Mid-Michigan, Brighton area and Chicago, and who wouldn’t love having the option to buy Michigan State football season tickets or a Detroit Tigers 12-game flex plan. It’s a happy new life; it just comes with a bit of heart-stabbing pain from closing the chapter of our life that we’ve loved the most.

Soaking in the sunset

Our best pals and across-the-hall neighbors, Lindsay and Daniel, have played a major role in our PDX adventure, which is quite obvious from their frequent appearances on this blog. The four of us decided to squeeze in one last Oregon coast weekend before Jeff and I move 2,000-plus miles from the salty Pacific Ocean. We rented a roomy rental house a block from the Manzanita beach, and the five of us (including Cooper) met up on a Friday night for a leisurely 48 hours in the adorable little beach town.

We totally lucked out, because the weather for the entire weekend was gorgeous. The Oregon coast weather is a fickle beast, yet we managed to get sun, sun, sun. We took several long strolls down the quiet shore as Cooper gleefully bounded along and wet his paws in the crashing surf. We ate in and ate out, grabbing drinks and decadent chili cheese fries at the San Dune Pub and pastries and coffees at Bread and Ocean Bakery. We played Scattergories and discussed business ideas and drank Oregon beer. We also built our first-ever bonfire on the beach, which apparently is totally legal. On Saturday night, the four of us grabbed a pie at Marzano’s and firewood at Manzanita Grocery and Deli, and constructed a small fire on the sand. It’s hard to think of a more relaxing activity than sitting around a beach bonfire with friends and watching the sun set into the Pacific Ocean. Wouldn’t it be amazing to actually live near the ocean and get to do that anytime?

We headed home on Sunday, with sand in our shoes and suitcases and happy memories in our hearts. The countdown is on: less than two weeks to pack in lots more great times in Oregon.

Our home for the weekend

First things first: a champagne toast

The incredible Manzanita beach sunset just a block from our house

Daniel and Lindsay on the breezy Friday evening

Good morning, beautiful beach!

Relaxing on the rocks *

Buddies. *

One happy dog *

Was that a stick I saw? *

Just one of the crazy washed-up items *

Hopping across the rocks

Beers and fries at the San Dune Pub

Good grief. *

The fab foursome on our balcony *

Time for beach pizza!

Snuggling Starks

Cozy in Converse *

Group photo! *

Getting ready to pose for a couple sunset pics with our photog friends *

Happy kids *

Trying my hand with the Hasselblad

Lindsay is taking my picture…

…and here I am, taking their picture! *

Serenity

Good times *

The spectacular sunset

…and the perfect place to watch it *

More sun on Sunday morning

A stick for me?

Crabby we won’t be back to the coast for a while

* Pics from our Stark buddies.