Bend, OR

Down on the bay front of Old Newport are the docks which house mainly commercial fishing vessels. These vessels are what bring the fresh seafood to Newport. During the day, wandering among these ships, which seem bigger than life due to its size is one thing but at night it is a totally different world and atmosphere.

I found this out quite by accident. While in town I chose to have dinner on the bay front and when I was done I wasn’t ready to move on down the coast to my next destination and so I wandered and somehow or another I wandered among the docks, past these ships that seemed so quiet when just an hour before they were full of life. I don’t know how to explain what I saw or felt but it was a different world. I felt as if sometimes I was the only one in the world yet I was cognizant that there were actually several people around me. Sometimes it was the quiet murmur of someone on board, or the voices from the railings that border the docks. Once down on the docks, very few people see you at night.

I guess in today’s world maybe I should have been nervous wandering among a dark alley way of vessels, where no one can really see a person but I felt comforted. Between the gentle rocking motion of the docks and the comfort of a blanket from the ships I felt at peace and in the twilight it was beautiful. I listened to the cacauphony of the sea lions and various sea birds that play around the docks for the food the fisherman & crabbers throw out.

I noticed quite quickly that when you do come across someone down on the docks they nod their heads in acknowledgement of a hello and continue about their business and all the while you are walking through their “jobsite.” This is another part of our ever moving world. It is a quiet, safe and peaceful part where you are that much closer to the moving machinations of life.

Once again follow the directions to Newport and once in Newport just follow the numerous signs to the bay front…you won’t forget this trip.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/La+Pine+OR/Newport+OR/