Day-17: Silver Lake, Cape Disappointment & Oregon

Saturday, October 12, 2013

By 7 we were all up and around, not necessarily awake, but yes walking. A light rain was falling and the clouds were hanging low, so further viewing of Mount St. Helens was unlikely but ultimately to no avail, we kept our fingers, toes or whatever crossed.






I slept well though it was reported that fishermen/women were up and out very early, clomping up and down the outside stairway. You know the saying, " the early bird gets the worm unless the earlier fish gets it first".


Greg started the coffee, I started the fire, not sure who started the hair dryer but by 9 or so we were showered, dressed and ready to go. 

Breakfast was a blend of fruit, cereal, pita chips and whatever else could be found.

Upon departing Silver Lake Resort we stopped a short distance down the road at the Washington State operated Mount St. Helens Visitor Center. The displays and movie provided a detailed insight to the history of the mountain/volcano and the events of May 1980. 

After picking up a few stamps and souvenirs we departed and traveled along the north bank of the Columbia River bound for Cape Disappointment on the Washington coast.

Senior Rangers D & G

At the Visitor Center two of our travelers took oaths qualifying as "senior rangers" or perhaps, two kids out just a little early for Halloween.

"But Operator, surely my
children will take a collect call."

We made a brief stop at the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge where everything but the telephone booth was closed. (For those not knowing of what I speak, a telephone booth is pre-mobile phone technology to enable people to communicate with others when away from home, the booths offered some semblance of privacy and protection from the elements, most booths required dimes or quarters for making calls but also allowed for collect calls, I'll explain the historical significance of collect calls another day). 

The Sign Reads "CLOSED"

Around 2 we arrived at the Washington State Park at Cape Disappointment. Here we visited two lighthouses, the North Head Lighthouse and the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. At the latter we chatted with a Coast Guard Petty Officer assigned to the light for the daylight 8-hour shift. Just this morning 15 deep-draft ships had passed through the entrance to the Columbia past the light, not so different than the transits of our Navy ship CO friends Dave and Jack in years past.

North Head Lighthouse

Cape Disappointment
Lighthouse

USCG Station
Cape Disappointment

Astoria's Columbia River Bridge

Departing the park we headed for Seaside, Oregon via Astoria to arrive in time for the Tigers vs. Red Sox playoff game. We checked in to the Best Western Ocean View Resort, yes another resort. Here we have faux fireplaces, ocean views and hot tubs over-looking the beach.

Upon looking out on the beach we realized that a kite festival was underway. The American Kitefliers Association is holding it's annual meeting in Seaside this weekend; the kite designs were amazing.

It's The Senior Rangers Again

 

When's the last time your hotel had a Tsunami Evacuation Plan?

For dinner it obviously had to be a sports bar or some place likely to have the game on. We were directed to Dundee's and yes they had TVs, each booth had it's own TV, so we were good for the game. Tonight's entrees included wraps, fish tacos, fish & chips, spaghetti, chili and locally crafted beer. Good choice. We'll probably be back in the morning for freshly made donuts and coffee.

By 8 it was back to the hotel where we continued watching the game, unfortunately not a good ending for the Sox faithful. It's early, just barely ten but I think I just heard over the hotel's 1MC the familiar navy refrain, "Sleepers, sleepers, man your bunks ..."; well even if I made this up, the sleepers are following the order, it's lights out for the night.