November 12, 2016 – Spawning and Old Friends

The east side of the Olympic Peninsula is beautiful.  Denis continued his quest for decent fishing. He researched online for fishing reports and I researched places to stay by the fish. Our research intersected at Hoodsport on the Hood Canal. I found the Glen Ayr RV Park with its own fishing pier to put Denis right out amongst the fish. He was also amongst the local tribe’s fish nets. They caught several fish, Denis not so much. The RV park had a spawning stream where several fish were struggling their way up to spawn. The fish were pretty much everywhere but on Denis’ line.

Find the Fish

Hood Canal Shoreline

We moved further up the peninsula to Sequim (pronounced “skwim”) where we met up with our friend of 35 years Frank and his husband Loren. They have a beautiful old farm property in Quilicene. Reminded us of our old lodge property in Minnesota.  They’ve found a beautiful place to call home.

November 10, 2016 – Oysters anyone?

A few years ago we were traveling down the north coast and happened upon the Westport Winery. At that time it hadn’t been there long. Their wines were good and we had the chance to talk to the owners and hear about their dreams for the place. We made a point of putting a return visit on our itinerary. We were happy to see the winery flourishing with expanded gardens and a new restaurant.

We overnighted in Westport in a friendly little RV park. Westport is also known for its oyster farms. While driving to a local seafood market for that night dinner we came across one of the places where they process the oysters from the beds.  There were mounds of oyster shells as far as we could see. I’m sure they must have a use for all these.

  

November 9, 2016 - Cape Disappointment – NOT!

 Just across the Columbia River from Astoria on the Washington side of the river is Cape Disappointment State Park. Who could pass up a locale with that name? The Cape got its name from a confused explorer in the 1700’s who, upon arriving at the Cape, thought he had only found a bay and not the great river he thought. Joke was on him though, because, had he traveled farther into the “bay,” he would have discovered he really was at the great river. Reminds me of when Denis is looking for something in the kitchen. If it isn’t right in the front, he can’t find it. Women should have been the explorers back in those days. The world maps would have been sorted much quicker. The men probably knew this and that’s why they made up that superstition it's bad luck to have women onboard.

Columbia River North Jetty

November 8, 2016 – A Boat Slide

A ways south of Astoria we came across a type of boat launch we’d not seen before. Better bring a really strong rope!

 

November 7, 2016 - A Myriad of Mushrooms

Whenever you walk through the moist, compost-rich forests of the Northcoast you are bound to come across a fungus or two. On this trip I’ve seen more varieties than ever before. Unfortunately, I believe most are not edible or provide unwanted side effects.

 

 

 

 

 

November 6, 2016 - Blow Your Float

Astoria, Oregon is rich with history. Not just plain old history, but tales of renegade sailors, shipwrecks and houses of ill repute. Inhabitants of beautifully restored Victorian homes proudly display historical markers that explain their home was once a famous brothel favored by the sailors.

The 125-foot Astoria column built in 1926 has the exterior decorated with drawings telling the story of the town. The 164-step spiral staircase inside takes you to a 360 view of the mouth of the Columbia and the harbor.

Columbia River emptying into Pacific

The Columbia River bar where the river empties into the Pacific is one of the most dangerous in the world. Every commercial vessel entering the river must be boarded and maneuvered in by one of a dozen Bar Pilots. The churning of the currents at the bar is amazing.

Astoria is also home to an artist’s enclave. We both found glass blowing really interesting and took a class from an artisan that let us blow our own glass floats reminiscent of the glass floats once used on fishing nets. Blowing glass is no easy task, and hot as hell. Our floats came out great and are safely tucked away so they don’t get damaged in Scoop’s jostling.