As I drove into town and read the "Entering Tsunami Hazard Area" sign, I was never more happy to be staying on the 7th floor.....
The images of Japan's tsunami was still too vivid. Predictions of immenint earthquakes along the Pacific Coast were on my mind. I didn't really want to visit the coast for Spring Break. But my in-laws had this planned for months, my kids couldn't wait to see their cousins. Instead of relaxing on the beach, I kept vigilence on my escape routes.
The resort in Seaside, Oregon, is the tallest structure in the entire town. It stands a domineering 8 floors above the other smaller hotels and resorts. Although nice inside, I used to think it was a horrid man-made structure, scarring the quaint town of Seaside, marring the coastline like a huge scab. But now I felt safe as the elevator rose to the 7th floor, knowing that if a dreaded tsunami came, I'd have a chance.
While the Caboose played contently, building sandcastles, I planned my moves when the impending doom happened. If the earth started to shake, I knew where to run. I had already drilled the kids on the plan "in the unlikely event we have an earthquake." I reassured them nothing would happen....but "Just in Case...run for the hotel, up the stairs, and to the very top".
I did enjoy my 4 days at the beach. We played in the sand, fed the seals at the Aquarium, walked the small boardwalk, and shopped the local stores....but always in the back of my mind was my escape plan....which direction to run.
As I drove South on Highway 101 and finally veered East up into the Cascade Range toward home, I finally was able to relax. The sign said it all "Leaving Tsunami Hazard Area".
