The Storm and the Sublime
Mission: Make it as far West as possible and take in the sights and experiences along the way.
The weather was forecasted to be thunderstorms, possible cold funnels (tornado looking clouds) and high surf and winds. A little nervous and completely stubborn to get to the ocean I set out in my truck heading West. First stop, an all weather jacket just incase and maybe a compass for good measure. As a California transplant to the pacific northwest I have survived 9 years without a rain jacket. Today I finally gave in and got one, better to be happy and dry on this adventure. Fully prepared now I start to head west, rain and sunshine pour down on me as I go through the mountains on windy roads. 
Finally, the trees give way and a river appears next to the highway! I catch my first glimpse of the dunes and take the first right turn towards them. In my haste i failed to note the dunes were across the river and after miles of residential streets retraced my way to the main road and over the river. I then spotted a sign for Dunes National Park. Wow! How perfect a whole park of dunes, I turn down the road and follow it. 
At the first pull off with a trail over the Dunes in the direction of the water I jump out and run up the hill. At reaching the apex i'm knocked back by the wind and the beauty of the world in front of me. I seem to be in the eye of the storm, sunshine and blue sky's above with dark grey clouds as far as the eye can see around me. The waves are pounding down on each other and they are gigantic! I've never seen so many tiers of waves coming in to shore. I pull out my camera and sketchbook to capture the feeling of pure power that is washing over me. I'm reminded of Lawrence Halprins water features like Lovejoy Plaza. Wouldn't if be incredible to bring this stormy surf into an urban setting? After Spending time soaking in the ocean, I set off in search of the next adventure!
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