IX. Sunset and Fire

I think I mentioned that Sebastian had been hoping and hoping just to see a single pretty sunset over the beach while we were in Oregon. And, while of course the grey sky has its own beauty, he had not gotten his wish. So we felt almost guilty sending him pictures of one of the most beautiful and amazing sunsets we'd ever seen, the night after he went home! (But we DID send him pictures. We couldn't help it.) We had a fire on the beach, and it was warm with just a slight breeze, and the sound of the ocean was soothing and ever-present. It was one of those nights that felt removed from real life and real time, like a bubble of air suspended in oil. The setting sun peeked out from between clouds above the rocks.

Then as it sank lower, it suddenly lit up the clouds in pink and orange, and the sky kept changing and getting prettier all the time. We were so happy to already be there on the beach where we could watch every moment of it!

Junie was flipping through some of these pictures to show her friend on my phone, and she said after the picture above, "Just wait, it gets even prettier." And then, without her knowing it, the next picture was this one of Junie herself:

Ha! It IS prettier. 

Last glint of the sun. 

I love the orange reflections in the water.

Now the water is almost pink. Like the pink Salt Lake.

Pink people

Then the clouds started getting lit up from underneath

Making the fire

Cuties on a log

So bright!

Some long sunbeams still reaching through the clouds

Junie's shells

Malachi pretending to take pictures of Daisy (why does Malachi look like a giant in this picture?)

Malachi realizing I'm onto his ruse

Sky starting to fade

Perfectly-toasted marshmallow (toasted by Sam)—it met my quality standards, so I ate it.

Last of the red glow

I love the little bright spots of fires down the beach

I can't remember what witticisms were being shared here. But I love these happy pictures.

Admiring a job well done

Pride goeth before destruction

I should note that we were using sticks we found on the beach to roast our marshmallows—the true and real way to roast them, as I did when I was little (now my kids are usually spoiled by our dedicated "roasting sticks").

Dark beach and lights on the hill

Last coals before we had to pack up and make our way home to bed—and then home to Utah early the next morning. It is so hard to say goodbye to these Oregon places we love!