LONG BEACH, WA TO SEASIDE, OR

Driving from the state of Washington to Astoria, Oregon, requires a crossing of the Columbia River on the Astoria-Megler Bridge.  This two laned structure is several miles long, and near Astoria, the steel bridge rises quite high over the Columbia River ship channel.  As we approached the bridge yesterday from the Washington side, I saw a large ship moving up river, also heading toward the bridge.

 

As many times as we've crossed the Columbia River, I can only remember one other time when there was a large ship on the move near the bridge.  As we drove south over the low section, it looked like the timing was going to be just about right for us to be above the ship as it passed underneath.

Wouldn't you know it!  Any other time, we would have waited on top of the bridge, as one way traffic is alternated in the area of the sandblasting and painting.  Nope, not this time.  We slowed to a crawl, then our lane was sent through the work area, and we just missed the ship as it passed under the bridge.  Patty got a picture as we descended into Astoria.

We checked into the Seaside Thousand Trails RV Park a little before noon, and scored side by side full hookup sites, almost directly across from our pals Nick & Terry Russell, publishers of the Gypsy Journal, and several RV related books.  Since it was lunchtime, Nick mentioned that several people had told him about a place that served the best burgers on the coast.  That statement got my attention, as my burger deficit has been at an all time low!

We drove a short distance to the Relief Pitcher, a small bar & grill on the highway, just south of Seaside.  We all ordered burgers, and mine was pretty darned good.  I'm not quite ready to claim it as the best, but it was right up there, and on our next visit to Seaside, you can bet this little pub will get a few of my bucks.  

We spent some time visiting, before heading back to Seaside, where Nancy was about ready to pull the trigger on an upgrade to her Thousand Trails membership.  After first consulting with me, then Nick, I think it might happen today.  If so, I'll have more details on tomorrows blog post, and I'm sure she will also.

Good burgers with good friends!

Miles traveled - 34  Cumulative - 8,665

Seaside Thousand Trails - $15  Cumulative - $1,741,92

(We've used our 50 free days at T.T., now we pay $5 a night)

LAST DAY IN LONG BEACH

This Hemi powered vehicle got the crowd stirred up, as it unleashed a bunch of horsepower on the mobile dyno.

 

Our two weeks here at the Long Beach, WA Thousand Trails is long gone, and we're headed south this morning.  We only have a short distance to travel, with Seaside, OR as our next destination.  We'll be at the Seaside Thousand Trails for 5 days, and that's the last reservation we have.  From there, we'll be playing it by ear regarding places to park for the night, as we head south toward AZ.

Since I didn't do much of anything yesterday, here's a few more pictures from the Rod Run event area that I took on Sat.   Due to the very poor Internet connection here, loading more than just a few pictures takes forever.  In addition to the poor service, this is not a Sprint area, and the roaming charges will be up around $50 by the time we leave.    I know, get out the violins!  Getting back to a faster Internet connection,  will be like my much anticipated return to an IN N OUT burger!

Even though Patty and I are starting to think more about returning home, we've enjoyed our stay of over a month here on the WA and OR coast.  The overcast and rainy weather notwithstanding, the cooler climate is much easier for me to deal with than the hotter temperatures away from the ocean.

A "gotcha" from Nancy, as I got both of ya!

CARS AND CANDY

The "Rod Run to the end of the earth" kicked into high gear yesterday, with hundreds and hundreds of classic cars, street rods, and muscle cars, all on display at an event area near Ocean Park, WA.  In addition to the cars, there was a mobile dyno, lots of vendors, and smells of BBQ everywhere.  As car events go, this is one of the biggest that I've attended. 

My first car was a 58 Chevy Impala, blue and white.

 My second car was a red 59 Chevy Impala, similar to the one above.

I found a $5 parking spot fairly close to the gate, and paid the $5 fee to get into the event area.  We spent a couple of hours admiring the cars, waited in line to buy an event shirt, and listened to 50's & 60's music over the PA system.   When we left, it was mid afternoon, and on the drive back south to Long Beach, there were lots of folks lining the main road, sitting in their chairs, admiring the almost never ending string of classic cars passing by.  Based on the cars on display at the event, and the hundreds out on the road, I think the promoters claim that this "Rod Run" draws over 1,000 cars might just be pretty accurate.

 You don't see a blown flathead motor very often.

 The ultimate muscle car, a replica Shelby Cobra.

A part of the event was an American Graffiti display, with the 4 main cars in the movie, and Candy Clark shown above, signing autographs.  She was the blond who rode around with Toad in Ron Howard's white 58 Chevy, shown below.  It looked like she was doing a pretty good business, charging $10-$20 for a signed picture of her from the movie.

We finished the day with another dinner at the Lost Roo Restaurant in Long Beach, where we met Ray & Cindy Warner,  fellow bloggers, and longtime Travel By Chance blog readers.  Ray & Cindy recently retired, and almost crossed paths with us when we were on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, a few weeks ago.  Today is our last day of two weeks here on the Long Beach Peninsula, with tomorrow being moving day down to the Seaside Thousand Trails, a little south of Astoria.

A SLOW DRAG RACE?

 The "Rod Run To The End of The World" brings an estimated 1,000 classic cars to the Long Beach Peninsula in early September.

When it comes to drag racing, I've been around the block a few times, starting way back in the 1960's, when I used to race my 58 Chevy at the Salinas, CA airport, temporary drag strip.  For two years (2002 & 2003), Patty and I traveled around the country as part of the N.H.R.A. championship drag racing show, getting to know many of the drivers, teams, and support crews.  I don't know everything about drag racing, but I am fairly knowledgeable, or so I thought.  Fast forward to the present, where I saw this banner across the road in Ilwaco, advertising a SLOW DRAG RACE.

What?  The term slow drag race is about as contradictory as anything that I've ever heard.  Even though the weather wasn't cooperating yesterday afternoon, Patty and I drove over to Ilwaco in a slight rain to see what the heck a SLOW DRAG RACE is all about.

When we got to the "drag strip", a blocked off street in Ilwaco, it looked like the distance from start to finish was about an eighth mile.  There was a gal in the middle of the street acting as the starter, and when she waved the checkered flags, two cars accelerated for a very short distance, then coasted in neutral toward the finish line.  The goal is to roll to a complete stop, without going over the finish line.  The vehicle closest to the fire hose finish line is the winner. 

Other than watching the classic cars pass by, spectating at a SLOW DRAG RACE is about as exciting as watching grass grow.  It didn't take us long to decide that bringing the chairs out of the Jeep was pretty much out of the question.  Not quite ready to return to the motor home, we headed north to Ocean Park, where they were setting up for the arrival of the classic cars today.  Checking out the cars, the vendors, and maybe even some of the "fair food", is on our agenda later today.

I got an email yesterday from Don Burns, a friend who lives in Sonora, CA, and who worked with Patty for years in the hospital E.R.  Talk about a small world, Don grew up with part of the Robertson Family of Duck Dynasty fame, and just last year on a trip to Louisiana, had lunch with Willie and his family after church.   Don said that the family is pretty much what you see on TV, and that yes, they do wear "camo" to church.  He went on to say that they're all college educated except for Si, who spent 24 years in the army, and that Phil was the starting quarterback at Louisiana Tech.  Terry Bradshaw was Phil's backup.   Wow, I know somebody, who knows somebody that's famous!

I'M HOOKED

Yesterday, when the girls decided that more shopping in downtown Long Beach was on their agenda, I said "thanks for asking, but no thanks".  After catching up on some reading, I grabbed the most valuable device ever invented..............the TV remote.  While surfing through the channels, I ran across several older episodes of Duck Dynasty, and like a cat, curiosity got the better of me.

I had previously heard some of the buzz about this family of rednecks, who have become millionaires, first from their innovative duck calls, and now from the most popular cable TV show in history.  As I watched the first half hour show about a surprise family wedding, and the attempts of  Uncle Si to keep it a secret, I was hooked!  Even though this reality show follows some of the familiar story lines about everyday living, this family is funny, particularly Uncle Si.  I guess you either get it, or you don't, but evidently, millions of folks DO get it, as the TV ratings are through the roof! 

It's early afternoon, and I'm now glued to the TV, watching the older shows, and DVR'ing future episodes.  When Patty & Nancy returned, I had just finished my Duck Dynasty marathon, and by then, I was hooked even more!  This show about the Robertson clan is more than just funny, it focuses on family values, and each show ends with the family around the dinner table, with a religious blessing.  Despite their antics & pranks, this country would be in a lot better shape with more families like the Robertson's.   Yep, I think it's safe to say that I'm now hopelessly hooked, and it'll be easy to find me on Wednesday evenings around 7pm. 

A TOWER WITH A VIEW

The Astoria Column was built in 1926 by the Great Northern Railroad, and Vincent Astor, great grandson of the the founder of Astoria, John Jacob Astor.  Located high on the hill above Astoria, the panoramic view of the surrounding area is about as good as it gets.  When we decided to drive back across the Columbia River yesterday, this was our first stop, and Nancy's first visit to Astoria's most prominent view point. 

It wasn't the clearest of days, but at least we had a pretty good view of the river, the bridge, and we could almost see to the mouth of the Columbia, where the infamous river bar remains a hazard to ship navigation.   Nancy & I decided to climb the 166 steps up the spiral staircase to the top of the tower, while Patty exercised the smart choice of staying put on Terra Firma.  When you get to the top, there isn't much room outside on the platform, and the see through railing wasn't substantial enough to keep my acrophobia from kicking into high gear. While Nancy and a few other folks were walking around the top, I had my back firmly planted against the tower just outside the door.  A couple of pictures, and it was "see ya", as I started the trek back down the stairs.

Our next stop was the Oregon Film Museum, located in the old county jail building.  This was a first time visit to this attraction, which is kind of two museums in one.  The two most famous movies that were filmed in Astoria are Kindergarten Cop, and Goonies.  We also learned that one of the most famous actors of all time - Clark Gable started his acting career here in Astoria in 1926.

On the drive back to Long Beach, we stopped at Fort Columbia, located on the north side of the river, west of the Astoria-Megler Bridge.  This military facility was built in the late 1800's, as one of three forts that guarded the mouth of the Columbia River with large cannons.  The other two are Fort Canby on the same side of the river, and Fort Stevens on the south side of the river.  None of the big guns were ever fired at enemy ships, but if that need had ever arisen, it looks like they had a pretty good crossfire set up with the 3 locations.

We had a late lunch at the Lost Roo in Long Beach, and an even later dinner of my BBQ'd chicken back at the motor home.  Our two weeks here at Long Beach are starting to wind down, as we'll be leaving for the Seaside Thousand Trails in 4 days.  From there, we'll be working our way south along the Pacific Coast into CA, then east into Nevada, and south from there towards home in Tucson.  It's been a great trip, but Patty and I are starting to look forward to getting back to the ranch, and seeing our family.

THE CRANBERRY MUSEUM

It's not even Thanksgiving, but yesterday, we stuffed ourselves with more information about the cranberry than I thought possible.  Located just outside of Long  Beach on Pioneer Rd, the Cranberry Museum is filled with exhibits, pictures, and machinery associated with the growing, harvesting, and use of the cranberry.  After another visit to Jacks Country Store in Ocean Park, we stopped at the Cranberry Museum & gift store, where the interesting story of the cranberry is told very well. 

 In the early days, mini railways were used in the cranberry bogs.

 
Much like turkeys, the consumption of the cranberry peaks around the Thanksgiving holiday, but it's use in everything from beverages, to jellies, is spread throughout the year.  Adjacent to the museum, are several cranberry bogs, where you can better relate to the story told inside the museum.

 Just a couple of happy cranberry farmers!

Later in the day, I BBQ'd a couple of chicken breasts for the girls, and reduced my red meat deficit even farther, with a big, juicy t-bone steak.  Nothing on the agenda yet today, so who knows what trouble we might get into later.  Stay tuned.................

RACE DAY

Patty and Nancy decided they would head back to Astoria yesterday, leaving me home alone with nothing to do.   Well, not exactly, I had the NASCAR race recorded, and there was 5 hours of live coverage in Indianapolis, home to the biggest drag race of the year.  I bid the girls farewell, as I lined up all of my snacks for the day, and settled into the recliner with my buddy on my lap.

During the next several hours, I fast forwarded through the commercials, and watched the NASCAR boys and girl chase the checkered flag at Atlanta.  How did we ever survive without DVR's?  Next up was all of the drag racing action at Indy, where the teams competed at NHRA's super bowl.  I previously mentioned that my two sons (Mike & Marc) and I, are engaged in a fierce competition within a fantasy drag racing league.  After yesterday's race, with 6 more to go before the season ending race in Pomona, CA, the old man is leaving the kids in the dust.  It's starting to look like last season's champ (Marc) is about to go down in flames, currently 400 points behind me in second place. 

After the girls returned from Astoria, we met Nick & Terry for another dinner at the Lost Roo in Long Beach.  With my burger deficit being at an all time low, that problem quickly went away with a very good mushroom/swiss topped chunk of cooked dead meat.  For the second time, when the employees started to stack the chairs, we got the message that it was time to vacate the premises.  Nick & Terry are leaving for the Seaside Thousand Trails this morning, and we'll be following their path in 6 days. 

BACK TO ASTORIA

Counting the "Big Bridge" crossing of the Columbia River, it's a little under 20 miles from where we're parked near Long Beach, WA, to Astoria, on the Oregon side of the river.  With the Astoria Sunday Market as our first destination, we got outa Dodge fairly early for us, hitting the road a little after 9am.  We knew this street fair/market was much bigger than the smaller Ilwaco market, and even though we saw many of the same vendors, it was probably twice as big, with live music, and lots of food for sale.  My big purchase for the day was a bag of cheddar cheese flavored kettle corn.

 

 If there's a cat in the area, Patty most surely will find it.

As we were leaving the street market, a familiar subject came up, and even though I tried my hardest to tune out the conversation, I was outnumbered.  Once again,  there just happened to be a quilt/fabric store "right around the corner", and the often heard phrase "we'll only be a few minutes", was part of the not so benign request to chauffeur these quilt addicts off into yet another sector of fabric land.

With Nancy in the back seat giving me foot by foot directions on her smart phone, & no way I could get lost, I dropped the shopaholics off at the latest quilt store, and told them I would be back in "a few minutes".   I'm thinking that there's no way they'll be done in "a few minutes", so I drove down to the waterfront, wandered around the viewing platform, taking some pictures, enjoying the bright, sunshiny day.  Next stop was a gas station, where I filled up the tank, rotated the tires, washed & waxed the exterior, and rebuilt the engine & transmission.  OK, probably enough time has passed, and I can go back and pick up the quilt sisters.  Wrong, I still had time to sit in the parking lot, recline the seat, and take a little snooze.  Finally, they returned, and we were off to our last stops - Costco & Freddie.

Fire was the scourge of early towns, built mostly of wood like Astoria.  There's still evidence of Astoria's history of devastating fires.

 Another quilt store is added to their already Guinness World Record.

We stocked up on some provisions at Costco, and the local Freddie store, before heading back to Long Beach.  I spent the rest of the afternoon watching some drag racing action from the biggest race of the year in Indianapolis, while at the same time, recording the NASCAR race from Atlanta.  

Nick & Terry came by in the early evening, and we visited for several hours before calling it a day.  I think Patty & Nancy are driving back to Astoria today, while I get my motor sports fix on the tube. 

ILWACO SAT. MARKET

The boat harbor in Ilwaco provides a nice location for the multitude of EZ ups and the vendors selling everything from vegetables, to jewelry.  The Saturday street fair in Ilwaco brought out the elusive sunshine, which was a welcome relief from all of the fog & rain we've had during the past week.

As street fairs go, this one is pretty typical, except for it's location adjacent to the boat harbor just a few feet away.  On this nice sunny morning, there was lots of activity on the boats, and after making a pass in front of the vendors, I found myself watching the harbor as I waited for the girls.  Things like jewelry, and all of the other artsy stuff is kind of fun to look at but, what takes me a few seconds to check out, takes the girls a whole lot longer.  And then, there's the conversation that almost always seems to follow, regarding how it's made, how adorable it is, what a clever idea, and all of the small talk that men usually don't get involved with.  I guess it's built into the feminine genes, and is part of the "shop till you drop" mentality.  It looked like they were having fun, and in the end, that's all that really matters.

On the way back to Long Beach, there was some conversation about continuing the shopping at the trinket stores in town, and that's when I excused myself from this newest excursion into shopping land.  Besides, I had spent a whole dollar at the street fair, on a hand knitted cat nip ball, and I knew that Gracie needed to play with it.  As Patty & Nancy drove off toward their endless quest for the perfect bargain, Gracie was having fun getting high on her kitty waki tabaki.