September 20^th – We learned a lesson on the beach this morning. Do not go to a new beach and walk out without looking back for identifying markings or structures! We got extra walking both on and off the beach. We talked over strategy for the next few days to include some sightseeing and a specialty dinner by friends next to us here in the park. His specialty is Leg of Lamb… YUMMY!! Tonight.

 

After some breakfast Linda did some wash and cleaning while I got a few Pickleball matches in. Then we took a bike ride down to the promenade in Seaside – right along the ocean. It provided a great view of the houses, cottages, condos and hotels on one side and the beach on the other. Except for a couple real crowded blocks it was great. We crossed over to the 101 and made our way back to the campground. Then after lunch Linda made some sides for the meal and I got frustrated trying to figure out why after several easy setups on the satellite I could not find the right combination. Finally with help from the neighbor with a new cable I got it to work. But I cannot imagine how a fairly new cable can go bad laying in a compartment.

Crab lines from the bridge

 

A welcome shower and beverages before a great supper followed by some card games made the day A-OK.

 

September 19^th – We walked downtown but didn’t go all the way to the ocean – saving energy for Pickleball. They have 4 courts going and we had 16 playing and a half dozen waiting for the two hours we were there. There is a big following here even though a lot were from our group. After lunch we toured the Seaside area and on down to Cannon Beach where there is a huge Haystack Rock which you can walk to at low tide – a lot of Puffins nest there. There are many places to see near here that commerate things from the Lewis & Clark expedition.

 

September 18^th – No walk today – moving to Seaside, OR by way of the scenic 101 and at Astoria we crossed the worlds longest Truss bridge – over 4 miles. This will be a busy week – lots to see and do and many people we know are here for part of the week. We visited with one couple tonight and played some board games. Pickleball in the morning with some of the other group.

 

September 17^th – We drove back to Damon Point because we were told it was a good hike along the ocean. We kept going around the point and came back on the ocean side but the tide was coming in and the waves were high and loud. The choice was to go back or stay higher up and dodge the bigger waves or go back and walk twice as far  since it already took us over two hours we didn’t want to add any more to it. The softer sand made it harder than we expected, and when we were as far from the car as possible it started raining. That lasted about half way back so we were tired, wet and hungry. After a nice hot shower we checked out Mike’s Seafood for lunch and toured (by car) around the area. More rain off and on all day and night. Many of the buildings have murals on them.

 

 

September16th – We did our morning walk on the beach. It was pretty soft sand at first but closer to the water it was firm enough even for vehicles. The waves were big and loud enough that Lexi just went to the edges. Lots of crab skeletons, a few shells and even one large seal carcass. One section is all staked off as a research area for Dungeness crab. After lunch we toured some of the local towns and there are a lot of tourist shops, hotels that you would expect but a lot of closed and run down old things too. We found a really neat Interpretive Center and a lot of the displays are “beach finds” and many of them are from the tsunami debris from Japan. One of the guys there was a real character but he explained why they have things and where they were from very well. He told us of a nice beach to walk where “treasures” might be found…

Beach art - helped us find our way back.

 

 

Also in town was a wood art place