Add seafarer to the list of Loren’s accomplishments. We went out on Michelle & Randy’s boat on Monday night and Loren handled it like a champ, not startled by the engines, nor the choppy water. She sat patiently by Randy’s legs, a canine skipper to his captain.

"Need some help, Randy?"

She even managed the metal grated ramp and rough surface of the dock with aplomb.

"Hey, I'm no dummy...I follow the food!"

We cruised briefly around the Everett harbor. The skies were clear, the sun was out, shimmering on the sea’s surface.


"Yo ho, yo ho, the pirate's life for me!"


"I smell seafood!"


Scene from the marina

Unfortunately, high winds made the water choppy so we docked the boat back at their slip to eat.

Michelle had fried up some local razor clams, which was paired with organic greens from her garden and her mom’s homemade potato salad. We cut up the clams with scissors, as they are too tough to tear into with one’s teeth. She and Randy had harvested them by hand on one of their many clamming trips.

Clams a la Vincent


The fantastic cook (right) and her appreciative friend

The Pacific Northwest life sure agrees with them and I find myself happy for my friend, if slightly envious. Besides the rain, living here must be really cool.

Loren and I continued our trek west on Tuesday morning. We drove through Seattle to Olympia and off to the 101, after glimpsing many empty logging towns. It’s sad, these little towns, which probably once thrived but now just looked empty and downtrodden.

After many miles of forest, we turned a corner and caught a glimpse of the sea below. Breathtaking. The Oregon coast looks much like Northern California - high, rugged cliffs with the sea crashing against them, then miles of sandy serenity, some cypresses appearing out of nowhere near the water. Gorgeous.


Scene from Highway 101, Oregon Coast


"Spectacular!"


"Whoa, that's a long way down!"

I had upgraded us to a king oceanfront room with a fireplace at the Fireside Inn and was delighted with the view from our front window. Black, flat rocks, the sound of surf, miles of trail. Perfect for us and the many dog lovers that stayed here - small dogs, big dogs, old dogs, they all enjoyed the endless trail that looped around ever-changing ocean views. At sunset, it looked "Wuthering Heights," without the romance or drama.


Scenes from our window at the Fireside Inn



This part of the trip has been about relaxing, winding down from our long adventure. I had looked at the atlas with my father while camping and was shocked as we added up the states we have driven through during our 50 days on the road. 29. That makes Loren one very well-traveled dog.

We went to Newport to view an old lighthouse. Loren went pee under a sign that said public restrooms and I smiled. She is anything if not polite. There was an awesome view of the bridge, one of many suspended over the ocean, an awe-inspiring man made sight against the natural background.

Yaquina Lighthouse


Man -made meets nature

I have finished two books, which I found at an awesome store called Half Priced Books near Mukilteo, and eaten many great meals, though I’ve been a bit scared to indulge in clams, as my mystery allergic rash has reappeared.

Still, when you’re in one of the great seafood spots in the country, you gotta have it. So, I had the Captain’s Platter at Luna Sea in Yachats, a small storefront with the freshest fish around - the owner catches it on his boat from local waters! The grilled halibut, scallops, and shrimp were delicate, spiced with just a little Cajun seasoning, and served up with hot crispy fries and refreshing coleslaw that boasted sweet, tart bits of apple within its depths.

Luna Sea


Captain's Platter

For breakfast this morning, I went to the Green Salmon, a funky, eco-friendly coffee shop that’s full of local hippies for “The Green Salmon,” a whole wheat bagel with Pacific Northwest lox, matcha cream cheese, ripe tomatoes, and piquant capers.

Green Salmon Plate from The Green Salmon

We brought it back to our room, so I could enjoy the last of our oceanfront view before we head off to Gold Beach, 172 miles away, for one night, then Petaluma on Friday night, before finally making it home.

On the way, I ate Green Salmon’s roasted mango cheese danish with toasted coconut. A thousand flaky, buttery layers surrounded the decadent, creamy center. Quite possibly the best pastry in the universe.

I am taking Loren to meet her new mom, Cynthia or Cindy, first on Saturday. Cindy is retired and lives in Valencia. She had seen Loren’s story in the Signal and put in an adoption application for her. Since she has owned a pit bull mix and a Rottweiler in the past, she is familiar with strong breeds.

“What made you want to adopt Loren?,” I asked her towards the end of our conversation.

“She just seems so sweet,” Cindy replied.

“Loren is a sweetheart,” I told her. “She is a very affectionate dog and likes a lot of attention.”

“Well, that’s good…since it’s just me, she’ll be the only one I have to give affection to,” Cindy said.

Cindy told me that she likes to travel a little, which is perfect, and that Loren will be able to sit on the couch with her at night and watch TV, which warms my heart. Loren is a total couch potato and likes nothing more than to snuggle with a person for hours on end.

Cindy already has a dog bed and a food dish for Loren, as well as toys.

“I saw from the articles that she likes her toys,” Cindy said.

“She does,” I said, touched.

I’m so happy for Loren. After two years in a kennel, she is finally going home. I’ll miss her, of course, but this has been my dream all along, that Loren finds her forever person at the end of our journey and I believe she has.


"What? I have a mom to come home to?"


"I'm so happy...finally!