Skip to content

Seaside Stories

Times of Change…

October 21, 2011 | by Becky Jensen

Autumn is a time of change. School has started, the leaves are turning from green to gold and the days turn shorter. When the seasons change it seems a good time to start new projects and measure the choices we’ve made to improve our lives. Seaside is a place where I’ve made choices to live a better, richer life. To live in a place where I don’t chase after riches and fame, and to live each day fully and intentionally.

The pace in Seaside is one that I love; it’s away from the traffic, away from the high rises and away from the city. Seaside invites long walks on the beach, warm cups of coffee in cozy cafés and a place where I’m surrounded by a sense of community and friends.

There’s a bend in the road when you’re coming into Seaside. It’s right before you get to Circle Creek Campground. Many years ago I had a life changing moment on that bend of road. I was with my fiancé and we were driving back to Seaside from a dinner in Portland. We had only been engaged for a few months, but had been dating for a few years. We were having a recurring argument and on that bend in the road on an autumn day we broke up.

Even though it was hard at the time, it was the best thing that could have happened to me (though I did have to take many long walks on the beach and cups of coffee with my girlfriends to help me get through the hard parts). I realized (after some time) that I couldn’t be myself in that relationship and was now free to pursue my dreams and be myself. Now, years later I’m in a relationship where I’m encouraged to be myself (how wonderful is that!?!).

As I was driving over that bend in the road recently I thought about how hard it is to make choices that are good for us. Whether it’s choosing to eat well, exercise, save money, etc. it’s funny how the things that are good for us take courage and discipline to do. Seaside is a place where I’ve experienced so many amazing things and even the hard choices I’ve had to make have endeared Seaside to me even more.

Maybe it’s the fresh ocean air or hearing the waves pound on the shore that make us feel a little stronger and see the things that really matter. It’s interesting how being surrounded with natural beauty can inspire us to do great things. How seasons can make us realize it’s time to make some changes- as the autumn winds stir up our soul and bring fresh perspective to our busy minds.

Seaside, as that bend in the road, has made a huge impact in my life. Maybe that’s why it’ll always be home to me. A place where my heart has grown – for the better.

Leave a Reply

and so much more!

A volunteer assists those watching whales at an unknown location along the Oregon Coast.
Where to Watch for Whales

It’s possible to see gray whales off the Oregon Coast year-round, but one of two peak periods occurs in late March, when some 20...

How to Build a Beach Campfire

It’s a longstanding Seaside tradition: listening to a crackling fire in concert with the crashing of the ocean waves. Campfires ...

Wildlife Along the Coast

Driving highway 101 can yield miles of scenic wonders

King Tides Safety and Viewing in Seaside

King Tides on Oregon’s North Coast (photo by Don Frank) ** Story updated for the 2023/2024 King Tides ** King Tides come eac...

Shell Road

Shell Road was the small, primitive pathway that eventually became Broadway.

Honeymooning in Seaside

Part of the fun of planning a wedding is also planning the honeymoon (and I’ve been collecting ideas for both)! Many couples dream of the ideal honeymoon location, and on the top of their list should be Seaside! Sand, sea, and surf, along with amazing places to stay, eat, and be merry.

Episode Three: the Seaside Aquarium

Take the audio walking tour of Seaside

Making Seaside Beautiful: Gardens

Seeking help on starting a garden plot sent me in search of Pam Fleming, whose reputation as a resource on Seaside’s Gardens was a bit understated as I was to discover. I met her at the Grand Opening of Back Alley Gardens (find by walking through Natural Nook Florists 734 Broadway).

How to Explore the Historic Gilbert District

While many visit Seaside to stroll the Prom, ride the carousel and load up on saltwater taffy, walk east on Broadway over the Neca...

We’re Getting Crabby on the Coast

Dungeness crab season on the Oregon coast

Seaside Skatepark

The Seaside Skatepark (also called the PTR “Hometown Park”) has a unique history. It was opened in June of 2007, and was built by Placed to Ride. The owner of Placed to Ride, Stefan Hauser, lives here in Seaside.

5 Ways to Social Distance in Seaside

With miles of wide sandy beach and clean sea breezes sweeping along the oceanfront Promenade, Seaside is one of the best places to...

Whales and More!

Seaside’s beaches are great for whale-watching, with thousands of migrating gray whales swimming past its shores every year. How...

What is Fascination, Anyway?

Talk to anyone who’s ever visited Seaside, and they’re bound to bring up Fascination with an enthusiastic “I love that game!...

Garden Circle Evolution

The evolution of Seaside's Turnaround garden circle.

Painted Rock Beach
Painted Rocks & Secret Spots

Rock beach offers something relatively unknown amongst a beach that's well known

Lookout on Neahkahnie Mountain

Sometimes an Oregon Coast outdoor adventure doesn