Monday, June 16, 2025
After five grueling and most interesting days as part of the wedding business in Seattle, we decided that today we needed to start our long journey home to Camarillo.
Mark and Susie Johnson were ever the great hosts these past few days and they sent us home with a great suggestion, take the 101 Highway near Tumwater and drive down the southwest edge of the state of Washington, cross the epic estuary of the Columbia River via a marvelous bridge into Oregon and then spend a night at Cannon Beach.
So we did.
The vistas on the journey were wonderful!
Mid way to the Oregon Coast, we stopped for lunch in a village still in Washington.
Located in Raymond, Washington
Population: 3,227
Raymond's historical theater . . .
. . . is located across the street from . . .
. . . this fine dining establishment
The Hungry Heifer knows . . .
. . . all about comfort food
After a solid dining experience,
we bid farewell to Raymond's
favorite pharmacist
On to the Lewis and Clark Trail
I've always loved the Washington Highway System's use of the silhouette of President George Washington in their highway numbering scheme.
We did have one historical stop to make before we arrived at Cannon Beach.
The end of the line for the famed
Corps of Discovery
Led by Captain Meriwether Lewis and Captain William Clark, this contingent of 31 brave explorers set out to fulfill President Thomas Jefferson's idea of exploring the vast and then uncharted area west of the Mississippi River all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
The Corps of Discovery departed by journeying up the Missouri River near St. Louis on May 14, 1804. Facing a myriad of weather and topographic problems, they were joined by interpreters Toussaint Charbonneau, a French Canadian trader, and his young Shoshone wife, Sacagawea, accompanied by their infant son, Jean Baptiste. These interpreters were key players in peacefully dealing with the various Native American tribes that were encountered along the Corps' 4,000 mile trek across North America.
The Corps of Discovery's incredible journey ended on December 10, 1805 right here in the far northwest corner of what in now the state of Oregon.
The Corps of Discovery built
Fort Clatsop after 19 harsh months of
hiking the wilds of the American West
Sacgawea and Jean Baptiste
Lots of BIG trees in the
Pacific Northwest
Absolutely perfect timber for building a good fort that they would complete by Christmas of 1805 and live in for the next three months..
Trees hugging?
We entered Fort Clatsop that was
named after the local Native American
tribe, the Clatsop
Sturdy
Sparse but most welcome after
nearly two years of camping al fresco
We have no real idea what this implement in the foreground was used for by our brave lads.
The fort's cooking area
The forest surrounding Fort Clatsop
were lush and beautiful to behold
GIGANTIC!
We bid farewell to Fort Clatsop
before taking one last look
in the Visitor's Center
There were lots of interesting
display cases like this one
A cool statue to honor
the Corps of Discovery efforts
begged a closer look
A random Clatsop wearing a
medal with President Thomas
Jefferson's image
Captain William Clark
Captain Meriwether Lewis
Our combined thirsts for more historical knowledge now fully slaked, we moved on to our final stop of the day.
Scenic Cannon Beach, Oregon
Population: 1,503
This S'mores Company is only open from Thursday to Sunday every week.
Damn!
This quaint seaside resort city got its name after a naval cannon washed ashore in 1846 from the shipwreck of the USS Shark, a schooner that sank at the mouth of the Columbia River.
Thus several old, rusted cannons
can be seen decorating the village
We both loved the high tech
security gate protecting this home
The Pacific Ocean was only a two
minute walk from our quaint
accommodations, the McBee Cottages
Our first view of Cannon Beach's
iconic Haystack Rock
Aye, aye, Captain!
Beach goers can't get enough
of Haystack Rock it appears
We found a nice spot for a light
dinner of just delicious clam chowder
after our big lunches
Hmm, I don't think we've ever
driven down this one . . .
. . . but if we ever do, I'd want to be
in one of these cool minivans
American football news from the net . . .
Our old club, the Catania Elephants (8-0),
will host an Italian DII Semifinal game
vs. the Brescia Bengals (6-3) next weekend
The European League of Football
continues to be a work in progress
In my opinion, the ELF is in serious need of improving their competitive balance just as it has in their first four seasons.
So far this fifth season, the ELF has played 35 games in the first five weekends.
Of those 35 contests, nearly 50%, 17 games, have ended in blowouts of 30+ point victory margins.
Three games were somewhat competitive with victory margins of 20 to 29 points.
Eight games were competitive point differentials of 10 to 19 points.
Finally, only seven games have been close with only 1 to 9 points separating the winners from the losers.
I believe this to not be a good look.
I can easily see another four
blowout games this week
On Tuesday, we will proceed south to Ashland, Oregon for a night under the stars at the musical play, Into the Woods, hosted by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
No, it is definitely not a Shakespeare play, but I don't make the Festival's rules.
The Adventure continues, stay tuned . . .
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