Seattle was fun. A bit hectic, busy everyday. Time to get back to our USA home away from home – Depoe Bay. (Dingle is our non-USA home away from home).
It’s about a five hour drive from Seattle to Depoe Bay using I-5. We decided to do I-5 about halfway and then cut over to the Oregon coast at Astoria. Once again we crossed the Columbia River near Astoria. It rained most of the way, sometimes lightly, sometimes steady, with one brief appearance of the sun complete with rainbow. We stopped in Astoria for three things:
One: The Hanthorn Cannery Museum – It’s really just an old building on the water with information about canneries and some old equipment. Bumble Bee had a huge operation here canning salmon until the salmon stocks were severely over-fished. There were a couple of interesting old videos. No admission; no one around.
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Two: The Columbia River Maritime Museum – a new and interesting museum about the Columbia River. Lots about sea rescues. Lots about fishing. And here we learned about the Columbia Bar – that spot where the roaring Columbia meets up with the raging Pacific Ocean thus making for one of the most dangerous places in the world for waves, wind, and currents for shipping and navigation. A ship needs a special pilot on board to cross the Bar and then a different pilot for its journey up the Columbia to Seattle. There is also an exhibit of Japanese flags with writing on them. It seems that when a man went off to war in Japan, his family would all sign good wishes for a safe return onto a Japanese flag which the soldier or sailor would always keep with him for luck. American soldiers would take and keep the flag as a souvenir when a Japanese fighter was killed or captured. Since then, many Americans have realized that the flags would be important to the Japanese families. Many have made a conscientious effort to return the flags but, of course, it is difficult to locate appropriate family members.
Trois – Costco for lunch (where else can you fill up for $8 total for the both of us). Elaine had the standard hot dog and drink; I had their newest option – chili. And we stocked up on wine for the last week in Depoe Bay.
Just as we arrived in Depoe Bay, the rain stopped and we had some clear skies for cocktails on the balcony. Elaine made a sort of Shepard’s pie for dinner. It was delicious. We’ll have the leftovers another night.
Tuesday morning was cloudy but dry. We both took our separate walks. I stopped for a hot chocolate and a lemon muffin at the Pirate Coffee Company. There were whales just off our balcony all morning and a barking sea lion also performed. First time we ever saw a sea lion here. This was to be a do nothing day, and it was. We did drive into Newport for lunch at our favorite spot, Local Oceans. We split halibut ceviche for a starter. Elaine had rockfish tacos and I had my standard rockfish Italiano sandwich. Other than that, we enjoyed the bright sunshine at the condo.
After a quiet afternoon at home we enjoyed cocktails on the balcony and then cheese, cold cuts, and crackers for dinner. The sunset was beautiful.
Hi E & J,
We have been following your daily adventures and I had meant to leave more comments, but there was just “not enough time in the retirement day”, as Wilhelm likes to say. Particularly loved your photos of the bald eagle, but all the photos have been great. Sent you some photos via email Of Scottsdale underwater. The washes are raging rivers. Got lots of photos from our neighbors. To me it looks worse than the 100 year flood of a few years ago. And yet, no homes were flooded. Kudos to the army corps of engineers. Did not know when you were returning and was hoping you weren’t going to fly into Phoenix from Seattle yesterday. Even the airport is flooded. Looks like you have left no stone unturned in the Pacific Northwest. Carry on!
Yep, back “home” for you guys!! Now RELAX!! Pats on tomorrow night.
Phew, finally a do-nothing day in Depoe Bay. You certainly deserve a relaxing day after all you did in Idaho and Seattle. Fabulous pictures on all the posts.
I saw the news about the floods in Scottsdale and was glad to see Mianne’s post saying that no homes were flooded. Dad would have loved her praise of the Army Corps of Engineers.
Can’t wait for the Pats game tonight. I feel a lot better after Sunday’s big win over Miami. And it sure won’t hurt to have Edelman back. The Red Sox start their playoff series on Friday night. Go Pats! Go Sox!