Caught In The Current

Islands of cascading mossy trees lined the gritty sand of ocean beaches. Waves trickled in from the calm gulf, a gentle breeze through the sound's leaves. The water was murky, stagnant, diseased.

He huffed out a sarcastic laugh. 

A sea to match his withering soul. 

He dug his toes into the stained brown sand and gripped tightly the rope in his hand. On waters such as this there would be a need for much rowing and he was far from the young boy he used to be. His back arched into a hump at the base of his neck, the dirty gray beard framed a face calloused by early mornings and blinding sunshine. Only his eyes remained untouched by the enemy of time. A putrid green iris tainted by bolts of golden lightning, pin point pupils focused across the shore, a sight the strength of ocean miles.

The man, a true man of this barren sea, wiped the crumbs from his beard and the sweat from his brow. Humid drops of sweat linger on his eye lashes. With each lapping of the waves he rocked to and fro from the balls to the heels of his feet. He danced with the rhythm of the water just as his dory, his home, his lover, his life, his curse, danced to the beat of his heart. It required only one more step forward, one more pull of the net, one more haul against his paddle, one more lunge against his lungs.

Then he would be free.

Then the work would stop.

Then the sun could bake his skin.

Then the ocean could swallow him whole.

It all started with a step and that is how it would end.

Newport, Oregon

We came to Newport to stay at the Sylvia Beach Hotel, but otherwise had left our schedule wide open as to where we would go and where we would eat. So after we dropped our luggage off at the hotel we set to walking around town and ended up finding this wonderful bakery just up the road.

We each ordered a coffee that featured orange zest and I was happily satisfied. I hope this place is still there when I go back to visit because their pizza looks incredible!

When we decided it was dinner time we ventured into the bay area Downtown and picked an amazing place to eat. Before we made it to the restaurant though we had to take advantage of the incredible view. Can you say "perfect lighting"???

While not my more flattering photo, it certainly captured my "wife" just right! It's hard to believe these photos were taken with a simple iPhone 5. Newport's bay area is just beautiful and has a ton of great shops and restaurants to choose from. Check in on Saturday to see the review of the restaurant we chose for dinner!

Writing Prompt One Hundred and Four

Guidelines:

Length: 800 words or less

Deadline: None

Submission: 

• Submit via email to beauxcooper@gmail.com
• Copy your story into the Message box:
• Include:
• "Writing Prompt #____"
• Your return contact information marked with a "(P)" for private if applicable
• Public contact information you would like me to reference if your piece should be selected for feature.
• This can include your website or blog as well as your social media outlets: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc.
• Optional: A photo of you
• Your story
• Please copy and paste into the body of the message, however, if you have a special format design for your story (such as moments of centered or right alignment, size, etc.) attachments are accepted.

Award: My favorite submissions will be featured on beauxcooper.com as well as all BC's social media outlets with all links connecting back to your blog/social media/website/etc.

Writing Prompt One Hundred and Three

Guidelines:

Length: 800 words or less

Deadline: None

Submission: 

• Submit via email to beauxcooper@gmail.com
• Copy your story into the Message box:
• Include:
• "Writing Prompt #____"
• Your return contact information marked with a "(P)" for private if applicable
• Public contact information you would like me to reference if your piece should be selected for feature.
• This can include your website or blog as well as your social media outlets: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc.
• Optional: A photo of you
• Your story
• Please copy and paste into the body of the message, however, if you have a special format design for your story (such as moments of centered or right alignment, size, etc.) attachments are accepted.

Award: My favorite submissions will be featured on beauxcooper.com as well as all BC's social media outlets with all links connecting back to your blog/social media/website/etc.

Review: Sylvia Beach Hotel

I had heard stories about the Sylvia Beach Hotel since I was fairly young. A fabled bed and breakfast that decorated its rooms according to famous authors and books. I had heard about it for so long and it held such a permanent place in my memory that when I started planning my road trip I knew it had to be one of the stops. The only problem was I didn't know if the hotel actually existed or if it was just my child's memory tricking me. After a quick bit of research I found it! And it was everything I ever hoped it could be!

The Sylvia Beach Hotel is a bed and breakfast located on the beach in Newport, Oregon. It is a large building filled with all things literature and an absolute destination spot for any bookworm. When my partner in crime, Adrienne, and I walked into the lobby we came into an environment that felt comfortable and hushed, almost like a library. We were immediately greeted by a very helpful and spirited woman at the counter who checked us into our room and gave us directions - "third floor, to your right. Don't mind the cat, that's Shelley." We eagerly took our bags up the two flights of steep stairs and located the door which belonged to us: Jane Austen.

Bags dropped, we set about exploring the hotel! Not only are the rooms themed to fit your reading tastes, but they also have a reading room (equipped with fireplace) overlooking the ocean, a puzzle room, library, and gift shop in the lobby.

Shelley

The rooms are truly inspired by some great writers. A few of the doors were open since their occupants had yet to check in so we peeked into a few and fell in love with each of them!

J.K. Rowling

Potterheads rejoice! This room is made for you, watch out for Moaning Myrtle in the bathroom, though!

Jane Austen

Our room was absolutely lovely and peaceful with a great view looking out into the ocean. We left the window cracked so we could listen to the waves crash against the beach while we slept. This is the perfect space for anyone looking to sit down and journal.

Dr. Seuss

This one is perfect for kids or the kid at heart! Great attention to detail!

Amy Tan

This beautiful room is fit for two with lots of room to wander around.

Lincoln Steffens

Bright and sunny, this one!

Ken Kesey

Need room for a large group? Check out this room!

Colette

This room is my second favorite. Just beautiful, romantic, and room for a group if you feel like splitting. Comes with a fireplace, queen, and twin bed. It has its own patio overlooking the ocean!

Mark Twain

My absolute favorite room that I will definitely be booking in the future with plans to stay at least a week. With a queen sized bed overlooking the ocean, a clawfoot tub, fireplace, writing desk, and private patio I don't think anyone would want to leave this room! I can see myself writing my next novel here, can't you?

We spent the evening exploring and dining out around Newport since we only had one night to enjoy here, but there is an amazing restaurant on the bottom floor of the hotel which provides dinner by reservation. They say to plan on spending a few hours at dinner since the tables are sat communally allowing visitors to mingle. 

It was a calm, windless night so we walked the beach and enjoyed the setting sun without having to worry about a hotel curfew. The front door is open 24 hours a day and the front counter manned. When we finally did return we found other patrons resting in the reading room, warming by the fire with books in hand while others tried solving a puzzle in the room over. It felt like home, comforting and communal. It made me heartsick that we had to leave so soon.

We did eat breakfast there the next morning and were wonderfully surprised by the variations of fruit, granola, pastries, and juice as well as the hot breakfast option.

The view from our breakfast table.

This hotel is a refuge for any literary nut who is looking for a place to sit quietly and devour a few good books or start writing one! I can't recommend this hotel highly enough.

Highlights

• Fast access to the beach and local shopping
• Easy parking on the side as well as in a level parking lot
• No curfew
• Beautiful, clean rooms
• Quiet reading room and library
• Delicious food in the restaurant
• Very well priced for the season, location, and quality
• A literary haven
• Easy to find

Be Aware

• Steep stair cases (bottom floor rooms are available)
• Cat (if you have allergies)
• Plan to spend a few nights to truly be able to appreciate it fully.

Yep, not much to point out that might scare anyone off. The place was wonderful and I absolutely plan on heading back on vacation, perhaps during my spring break, where I can fully dedicate myself to reading, writing, and resting. Beyond walking on the beach, I won't have a need to leave the hotel!

Final Rating