FATHER'S DAY IN THE OCEAN - WITH MOMENT SURF CO

Ryan, on the far left, is relatively new to the ocean. His first time in (above his knees) was about two years ago. He was sporting a borrowed 5mm wetsuit and body board. Not everyone loves the ice cold waters of the Oregon Coast, but for Ryan it was love at first plunge. As Father's Day approached he came to me and said he thought a surf lesson would be a cool way to spend Father's day with his dad. I called Moment Surf Co in Pacific City about a week ahead of time and we were in luck. They had an opening for our family of five on Father's Day Sunday at 10:30am. 

Something we couldn't plan, or control was the weather and ocean conditions, but to our delight, we were blessed with an absolutely gorgeous day. High, wispy clouds were streaming to the NE, but not enough to block out the vibrant blue color of the sky. The ocean forecast was 2 feet at 14 seconds, which turned out to be pretty close to dead on. The wind picked up in the afternoon and the swell grew to about 4 feet at much shorter intervals, but we played so hard out there in the pre-lunch hours that we didn't need to brave the larger waves and relentless North wind.

Shortly after arrival we found out we would be taking lessons from Gary (pictured above crouching down in front of us http://momentsurfco.com/gary.) You only need to look at Gary for a second to know he is a seasoned surfer and loves the ocean. There is just something about him. He takes what he does very seriously, but at the same time was very interesting to get to know and a lot of fun to learn from. He is a teacher at heart -- very patient and caring. A little added education, prior to hitting the beach he had each of us wax our boards, then load them in our truck.

 We decided to drive down onto the beach, along with a couple hundred other people that appeared to have the same idea that morning. Crowded, or not, the ocean was there, waiting, bright blue and turquoise, calling to all of us to get in! Gary estimated the water temperature to be in the mid, to upper 50's, which is warm in comparison to to the mid-40's it can sometime be. It was warm enough we didn't need to wear hoods, which was nice. To have to submerge your head in a duck dive, or fall and not get an ice-cream headache makes things that much more enjoyable. In my mind, it was perfect.

Ryan and Kurt -- the first timers out there today were up and surfing in no-time. My husband, Kurt is a fourth generation Tillamook Dairy farmer. He says farmers don't surf (or get in the ocean for that matter), but I'm here to tell you they do, and this one loves it! I don't think I'll catch him out there alone, but he had a great time. Ryan on the other hand, said this was the best Father's Day he has ever had out of the 4-5 her can remember and I believe he will be back out surfing at some point in the near future. 

Lighting up the face of your children on a day that American tradition says is about you reveals the true meaning of being a parent -- being selfless, loving and willing to share your heart. This doesn't require being perfect, but instead it means you are willing to share your time, no matter how busy you may be. I think that's all they really want after all, our love and our time.

A little info about Moment Surf Co http://momentsurfco.com/ : They offer lessons I think pretty much year round, weather and ocean conditions permitting. Their surf shop offers just about everything you could need to participate in and embrace the culture of surfing in the Pacific NW. And, the people that run it, well they are pretty awesome, too! Something I didn't know when I signed us up for surf lessons is the fact that you get a free lunch next door at "Ben & Jeff's Burgers and Tacos" the day of your lesson. After surfing for a few hours we enjoyed cheese burgers, amazing fish tacos, beer and lemonade. With full hearts and full bellys we headed back to Netarts aroung 4pm for a restful finish to the day. One last blessing for the day was the sunset once we returned home. I think it speaks for itself! What a wonderful day we had -- Cold water, warm sun, great food, and fantastic company!

Change your pace, change our life. Visit www.iwantabeachhome.com to see homes for sale in Oceanside, Netarts & Cape Meares and www.ilovethenw.com  to get better acquainted with what our beautiful area has to offer. You're going to love it.

See you at the beach!

~Wendy

WHEN ALL YOU CAN SAY IS "WOW"

There are days in Oceanside that are good, then there are days that are great. The great days usually catch me off guard. Like today, the forecast isn't really all that promising -- scattered showers, partly sunny, with a high near 57. West NW wind 8-10 mph. Chance of precipitation 50%. You might not take a walk on the beach based on this forecast, but when you live at the beach, or you work at the beach, your job sometimes takes you outside for things that must be done rain, or shine, at which time you come across days that are great that you didn't see coming. That is the beauty of being here everyday (literally). Sneaky great days. 

This morning I went out on sign patrol, which took me from Whiskey Creek in Netarts, into the village of Oceanside, then to my final destination, a lot I just listed on Cape Meares Loop (on the way to the Cape Meares Lighthouse MLS#16-522.) I knew as soon as I passed by Symons State Park where the Three Arch Rocks come into view that today was special -- Gorgeous turquoise waves rolling onto the beach in Oceanside 3 feet at 16 seconds intervals!?! I continued around the Cape Meares Loop and up onto the building site of my new listing overlooking Lost Boy Beach. Sign in my left hand and sledge hammer in my right I walked up to the edge, and all I could say was, "WOW." 

I find myself shaking my head in disbelief often at the this place we call home. Hearts and souls get filled up in places like this! Just as I was getting back in my car a little rain started to come down, but as the forecast suggested, it only lasted for a few minutes. My rating of today is great. Rain, shine, calm winds and a perfect ocean. 

 Ready to change your pace? It will change your life. I can help. 

www.iwantabeachhome.com

See you at the beach!

~Wendy

NETARTS SURF INN

If you visited Netarts as a kid, you might remember the "Sea Lion Motel." According to Tillamook County this structure was built in 1960, though they also reference an "effective year built date" of 1900! Without a doubt there is a lot of history here! I am not old enough to have seen it in it's glory days, but I do remember maybe staying there at least once sometime in the mid-80's. It didn't seem too bad back then. But, since I moved to Netarts about 10 years ago I pass by it every day (sometimes four or five times). During this time it was operating as a month-to-month rental, pulling down about $500/month even in it's dire condition. It went into foreclosure a couple years back, and was then purchased in November 2015 by two locals with big ideas, community ties and a sincere love for Netarts -- Contractor Nick Petersen (also co-owner of TraskBox) and local business owner Skyler Veek (owner of Lucky Bear Soap Co. in Tillamook.) It was in desperate need of renovation and we are grateful for the recent transformation!

 The Sea Lion Motel will be remembered by many, but with open arms we welcome the "NETARTS SURF INN." If you ever stayed at the Sea Lion Motel, you will be pleasantly surprised by the changes new owners, Nick and Skyler have made. With good, solid craftsmanship, care and a decorators eye this place has been reworked top to bottom -- new roof, siding, windows, floors, paint, cabinets, toilets, appliances, beds, couches...truly every last thing. Well, almost everything. 

They managed to salvaged the 1960's vintage showers, which in itself is worth coming to see. They remind me of patchwork quilts and carpet (I think my dad carpeted our basement himself with mismatched carpet squares) popular during that time, and somehow they held together all of these years and manage to have a design element that still works today. 

There are seven units total. Six have one bedroom, one bathroom and a sleeper sofa. Four of those six have a mini-fridge, sink and microwave; two have kitchenettes more suitable for preparing meals. The largest unit has two bedrooms, one bathroom and a full kitchen. At least one of the units are dog-friendly. In the future the property may also have a laundry facility for vacationers to utilize, but likely not in time for the soft opening this coming weekend. All units have cable, wi-fi, smart TV's and coffee pots, just in case you come into town for a stay and a storm moves in. It could happen! 

The Netarts Surf Inn is located at 4951 Netarts Hwy W in the heart of Netarts. "Seaworthy Coffee" is across the street, "By the Sea" grocery store and deli is next door, Josi's market is one block NW, "Lexi's Cool Stuff" is to the North and beach access is just two blocks away. You can walk to Happy Camp and all the way to Oceanside on the beach from this access point during lower tides in the Winter and pretty much all of the time in the Spring, Summer and Fall. You can also walk to "The Schooner Restaurant and Lounge" from the Netarts Surf Inn in about five minutes.

Reservations can be made at www.NetartsSurfInn.com. For now, this takes you to a Facebook page. The contact number for reservations is 503.354.2644, email: netartssurfinn@gmail.com.

I hope you will come visit Netarts and Oceanside and stay a night, or two at the Netarts Surf Inn. If you are interested in "Changing your pace and changing your life" don't hesitate to give me a call so I can help you find the perfect beach house and you can get started on your pace changing, life changing mission. 

Visit my website www.iwantabeachhome.com to see what is for sale in our area and my other website www.ilovethenw.com to see what is so amazing about this place. See you at the beach!

~Wendy

wendy@iwantabeachhome.com

WILLAMETTE WEEK - GOING COASTAL: CHANGE YOUR PACE, CHANGE YOUR LIFE

This is an ad I just ran in the Willamette Week. Yes, that is my family in the pictures [big smile] and these photos were taken in February! I don't run many ads like this, but I got to thinking if I did I may be able to help people in a positive way by sharing with them what I have experienced living here on the Oregon Coast over the last nine years, which may in turn actually change someone else's life for the better, forever. I am a Real Estate Broker and my technical job is selling beach homes, but really I think my "job" is about helping people realize exactly where they belong and then helping them get there. Start to finish.

This feeling of being called to "help" has been coming over me the last few months and recently has been amplified by a a trend I see developing. People (married, single, retired, partnered, etc) are selling their homes in Portland and then investing the cash proceeds into homes on the coast in Netarts, Oceanside and Cape Meares (7 miles West of Tillamook, 70 miles from Portland.) What I hear these people consistently saying is this, "We are fed up with the increase in traffic, people and housing prices in the greater Portland area in recent years. We are tired of the rat race of the city and are ready for a slower pace along with clean, fresh ocean air." It's hard to argue with this position. 

Change your pace, change your life. I think there's something to this! Living in a small coastal community is life changing. After moving here from the Portland area nine years ago I can testify to this fully. For you, for your kids, your dogs and cats, everyone. When you are here you find yourself doing things that matter and fill you up (like hiking, kayaking,bird watching, crabbing, fishing, talking long walks on the beach, watching sunsets over bonfires, storm watching, agate and sea glass hunting, etc) instead of empty, expensive activities (like shopping and sitting in traffic) that simply busy you and take up your time and energy. You don't accidentally end up at the mall when you live here. The pace takes some getting used to, but quickly you realize how numb you had become from the hustle and bustle inherent to living where there are masses of people and traffic and things you think you should be doing. And, the city is close by if you need it.

Admittedly, if you have kids, and/or you work full-time+, there is only so much you can "slow down", but everything about living here, from the view during your drive to work, or school, to the sounds you hear with your windows open at night, the air you breathe, to the outdoor spaces and activities you can get to within just a few minutes truly is unlike anything else. The road I take to work every morning overlooks Netarts Bay. It is unbeatable. If you've considered this idea (slowing things down in your life here at the coast full-time, or part-time) -and would like to know more about one of these awesome little beach towns (Oceanside, Netarts, or Cape Meares) call, or email me anytime. I can help change your pace, by changing where you live and spend your time, which will change your life.

  
I hope to see you at the beach!
~Wendy
www.iwantabeachhome.com
wendy@iwantabeachhome.com

Here is a link to my photo gallery:
www.ilovethenw.com