Oregonian Sunset and Preserving Feelings in Print

We drove along Highway 101 on a chilly and grey September afternoon. The day started quite late in Newport, Oregon, and we were not sure where it would end, as it normally happens during our road trips – we make an approximate plan and see if we can make it.  I did have a particular spot in mind – Bandon, Oregon, but was aware that we might drive much further than that spot or get excited about some small and secluded little beach town short distance from where we left from in the morning. I just wasn’t that excited about that particular grey high cloud cover that wasn’t too promising to move somewhere and give way to a golden sunset like that gorgeous hazy one at Newport the day before. It was the second half of our dreams-came-true road trip around California and Pacific Northwest, we were already a little bit tired and sometimes too overwhelmed by non-stop moving but still always hungry to see more and more and more of the monumental scenery that corner of the world if so famous for.

I can’t remember much of what was happening during our drive that day. I remember it was just mostly metallic grey colour of Pacific Ocean, huge sand dunes, some stops along the highway for coffee and petrol, a couple of turnoffs to check out the sights marked in our travel guide book. But I perfectly remember the rollercoaster feeling of rising hope that we might still witness and capture another gorgeous sunset as the high clouds started to disappear, and then the disappointment when the clouds got thicker as we drove further down south. General tiredness and emotional ups and downs (see, I am a photographer and I am emotionally affected by the light A LOT) were not helping, and I finally gave up inside – ok, sunset or no sunset, Mother Nature is the one who makes decision here, yes we are on holidays but every day cannot be perfect (however, all the previous days pretty much were simply amazing weather-wise).

When we arrived to Bandon the clouds dissipated, and it was finally clear that the show would definitely be on that night. Excitement drew by the minute despite hunger and exhaustion. We checked into Sunset motel that was right on the beach (the best view of our trip), dropped the bags, and the camera was out. While my other half stoically went back on the road to hunt for some food and some beer, I ran down the steps to the beach, towards the water, clicking the shutter button non-stop (I kind of didn’t stop for the next few hours). The light was absolutely gorgeous, soft and golden, those magical sandstone formations sculptured by wind, water and time were rising right from the sand. I was pretty much by myself on the whole beach, surrounded by that light. One seagull kept me company. Life was beautiful. And then I turned my head to the left and saw them – horses on the beach, a lot of horses, quietly and slowly carrying their tourist riders along the water. And then I lost it and started crying. Because it ended up being a perfect day.

Many months later I finished putting together all of our images from that trip in a coffee table book. Last Friday, across the world from Bandon, Oregon, I filled my glass with red wine, lit the candles and sat on the couch with that book. And mix of feelings from that day in Oregon poured over me again, as if I was right back there, among  sandstone cliffs at sunset, crying happy tears.  Not the events of the day came back to me first, but the feelings. And I believe one of the greatest reasons why digital pictures have to be transferred to paper is because it preserves the feelings, the little moments. I don’t think many of us would curl up on a rainy day in front of your computer with a glass of wine, lit candles, and the one your shared that adventure with so you could go back to those happy moments again. The couch is much more comfortable!

Please print your favourite pictures, display the memories around your home and be constantly reminded how beautiful life is.