On the last day of
National Pro-Life T-Shirt Week (Monday, May 4, 2015) my husband was able to take the day off work and we went on a family road trip to the coast!
On the drive over we were able to take pictures for Task 448: Standing at the back of a train caboose (2 points)…
… at the visitor center for the Oregon Caves…
(We considered driving out to the actual caves – the Oregon Caves are one of the 113 National Monuments but, after a vote, we decided to continue on to the coast.)
… Task 461: At a “Welcome to” your state sign.”(6 points)…
… Task 309: Standing with an entrance to a tunnel visible behind you (3 points)…
… and even Task 193: At a Zoo or Aquarium (4 points)…
… before finally arriving at the California coast, for Task 227: In front or inside of any of the 113 United States National Monuments (8 points).
Did you know that the whole California Coast line is a
National Monument of the United States? According to Wikipedia,
“This monument ensures the protection of all islets, reefs and rock outcroppings from the coast of California to a distance of 12 nautical miles, along the entire 840-mile long California coastline.”
“Trinidad Head, a large domed prominence rising to a height of 380 feet, is connected to the mainland only on its northern end, thus forming the beautiful and natural Trinidad Bay on its eastern side. On the bluffs overlooking the bay, Trinidad, the oldest town on the northern California coast, was founded on April 8, 1850. Early on, the town was a vital link between ships anchored in the bay and miners testing their luck in the Klamath, Trinity, Salmon River, and Gold Bluff Mines. As the gold rush slowed, Trinidad Bay, like most bays along the Redwood Coast, became home to multiple sawmills. To aid vessels engaged in the lumber trade, a lighthouse was proposed for the ocean-facing side of the headland in 1854.” – Source
A little history from Wikipedia:
The low, square, brick tower, painted white, was built in 1871.The light is only 20 feet (6.1 m) above ground, but the headland on which it stands gives it an elevation of 196 feet (60 m) above the sea. Despite the great height above the sea, heavy seas have been known to reach it. In 1913, the keeper made the following report:
“At 4:40 p. m. I observed a sea of unusual height. When it struck the bluff the jar was very heavy. The lens immediately stopped revolving. The sea shot up the face of the bluff and over it, until the solid sea seemed to me to be on a level with where I stood in the lantern. The sea itself fell over onto the top of the bluff and struck the tower about on a level with the balcony. The whole point between the tower and the bluff was buried in water.”
The wave he described was the highest recorded wave on the coast. After the sea struck the lighthouse and extinguished the light, service was restored in four hours by Lightkeeper F.L. Harrington, the keeper from 1888 to 1916.
Next we headed down to the sandy beach!
We had some more tasks we were hoping to complete including…
… Task 229: Spell “LIFE” in sand with letters that are at least 4 feet in length (4 points).
… Task 426: Dancing in a puddle of water (3 points)…
… and Task 441: Next to a sand castle that is at least 2 feet high or 4 feet wide (5 points)…
I almost purchased an inexpensive kite at Walmart a couple days before (Task 221: Flying a kite.) and really wish I would have! The beach would have been the perfect place to fly a kite and the weather was perfect… Instead we just spent the rest of the evening enjoying the sand and the beautiful views.
We didn’t want to leave, but everyone was getting hungry and it was time to try and squeeze in a couple more tasks before the contest ended and then find somewhere to eat dinner.
We noticed a couple restaurants on our way to the beach and decided to try The Lighthouse Grill. Thankfully we got there just before they closed! I didn’t expect to be able to eat out and packed along a few things for myself (I’m still on a strict Auto-Immune Protocol + Paleo diet. Today is already Day 75!) and was so excited to see the menu! They were so willing to work with me and I was able to order a Grass-Fed Beef burger wrapped in lettuce, topped with bacon, and some onions and mushrooms sautéed in olive oil! Yay!!! I want to go back to Trinidad just to visit
The Lighthouse Grill again! 😉
Sean and the older boys also had burgers. The girls and younger boys all shared fish & chips, made with fresh, local fish, and hand cut fries. Mmmmmm!
The Lighthouse Grill is also home of the “Mashed Potato Cone!” Sean ordered one to share with the kids and it looked sooooo good! He ordered the “Savory Waffle Cone with Mashed Potatoes with Beef Gravy and added Cheese and Bacon.” Next time they want to try it “All the Way” with the Beef Brisket as well.
After dinner, and before starting the long drive back home, we stopped to watch the sunset at
Patrick’s Point State Park near
Wedding Rock. On the drive home we offered another rosary for an end to abortion.
It was a beautiful end to our week of tasks for National Pro-Life T-Shirt Week and our efforts to learn, pray, and do more to protect and defend the sanctity of all human life from creation to natural death.
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”
Mother Teresa
Prayer of Mothers
Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.
Your trip and the contest looks like so much fun! I love all of the pictures of your kids in "stair-step" with their heights. How is your auto-immune diet going? Do you think it is helping? God bless!
2015-05-18 04:58:48
Thank you, Christine! 🙂 Yes, I really do think the diet is helping! I told my husband during the contest that there was no way I would have been physically capable of doing what I did with the kids a couple months ago. It felt so great to be out and about with them, including that last day when we were out from 7am (flag raising at the post office) until after midnight (driving home from the coast)! My rash is so much better than it was a couple months ago and my scars are starting to fade, but I'm also realizing that it's not all diet related. Getting enough sleep, keeping my stress levels as low as possible, and making sure I fit in some exercise and take my vitamins each day make a big difference too. I've had some new breakouts the past couple weeks, even though I've stayed on my diet 100%. I think, as my health was improving and my energy was returning, I went right back to trying to accomplish too much! 😉
2015-05-18 16:45:08
What a real treat to eat out!! I bet that was thrilling after being on the diet for 75 days (CONGRATS!!!!). I'm so glad to hear that you are healing and feeling good. It's easy to overdo it when we feel so good. I hope you continue to improve! Such beautiful pictures of your growing family! Looks like you all have been having so much fun!
Blessings, Marisa M.
2015-05-18 17:56:59
I understand. I am working on making time for sleep, exercise, and some relaxation too. I get the kids to sleep, and then I spend too many hours trying to get caught up on everything else, so I get to sleep too late. I can definitely tell the difference when I go to sleep earlier. I am glad you are feeling better and pray your health continues to improve. 🙂 God bless!
2015-05-19 15:58:43
It looks like you had a wonderful time doing all of the National Prolife t-shirt week activities. What a treat! May God bless you and your beautiful family!
2015-05-19 19:35:27