Sunny and 71 degrees
Lat/Lon 45.5N 123.36W
Our destination for the trip west was the Washington coast.
We've both spent quite a bit of time on the Oregon coast, and almost none in the Olympic peninsula of Washington. In the spirit of exploration, we need to see something new.
On the way, we went through St. Helens, Oregon to see Teri & Dave Stoffer.
They have a big lot with plenty of shade and room for a motorhome!
Every morning, Teri and I had coffee on her front porch.
(only once did we both have our BSU robes on.)
Charley and Dave are like two peas in a pod. Charley had a great time!
Teri and I on the other hand,.... just a couple of grumps!
Saturday, Teri was going to be working her "Dangerous Crossroads" booth at the Columbia County Fair, so I went along to 'help'. Dangerous Crossroads is a traffic safety committee in Columbia County that educates the public on the dangers along Highway 30, and 'encourages' Oregon Dept. of Transportation to make improvements to laws and intersections in that area.
Six years ago, Teri's son, Jeff, was killed on Highway 30, (about half a mile from Teri's home), by a pole truck whose load extended 36 feet beyond the end of the truck. When the truck turned at an intersection, that long load swung into the next lane, demolishing the truck Jeff was riding in.
(center pic in collage below)
(center pic in collage below)
The traumatic loss of her son prompted Teri to take on the task of making sure it didn't happen to anyone else. (Jeff's accident was the 2nd of 3 accidents that happened in the same way, in the same area, in about a 4 month period.) The Oregon Department of Transportation, the trucking company, and the driver of the truck, all met with the wrath of a grieving mother, (imagine a cross between a grizzly, a badger, and a rattle snake).
I am pleased to say that Teri and Dave's efforts have been significant in making changes in the area, but there is still more to be done.
Even though the theme of the booth was a sober one, we still had a lot of fun.
I even found a birdy at the fair! This is a pineapple conjure. He was a sweet little guy. I didn't want to give him back. (I miss my Gracie Bird!)
While in the area, I also went to visit buddy, Mike, (my old boss at Dennis 7 Dees in Portland whom I absolutely adore), and Erin. I even got to have lunch with Bob.
Charley and I had a great visit with Teri and Dave. However, after a week of invading their privacy, it was time to head out to Astroria.
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The plants in Oregon absolutely amaze me!
I'm not sure if this is clethera or itea, but it was so pretty!
And the hydrangeas! I'd forgotten how they grow like weeds here! OMG!!!
BIG container ship on the Columbia at Astoria.
This cool Coast Guard Cutter was at the dock in Astoria. Chawley was really checking it out!
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This old shipwreck is on the Beach at Ft. Stevens State Park.
It was a British bark called the Peter Iredale.
This is the bow.
Pieces of the gunwale and the stern protrude out of the sand way down the beach.
This old shipwreck is on the Beach at Ft. Stevens State Park.
It was a British bark called the Peter Iredale.
This is the bow.
Pieces of the gunwale and the stern protrude out of the sand way down the beach.
I found this plaque with a picture of the ship when I was at the maritime museum in Astoria.
I love seeing my feet in the waves. Odd sea obsession??
Red, Right, Return!
Back to Astoria and the Columbia.
Astoria and the Columbia River as seen from the bridge.
On to Washington.
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Your visit to Teri and Dave was a good break for all of you----You girls needed a " good laugh" fix. I've been to Fort Stevens and saw the Peter Iredale----it had more to it when I say it in the mid 80s, it deteriorates more with every storm. Poor thing.
ReplyDeleteYour trip and journey continues------enjoy.