Day 15 - June 13, 2013, Cannon Beach

Day 15, June 13, 2018

Cannon Beach, OR

0 miles/0 hours

Did I mention that I love this town? I really do. The people aren’t exactly super friendly, but it’s pretty and slow-paced, so I don’t really care. We’ve brought our southern hospitality to spice things up.

We spent the day being lazy in the cottage watching TV and working (me). We strolled to “downtown” and I took about fifty pictures of people’s gardens. The flowers out here are spectacular. I’m so jealous. My petunias didn’t even look that good when I bought them☹. We had lunch and window shopped, which included a stop at the local book store (not my favorite).

After, we went to the beach and a few of us were dumb crazy enough to go in the water. They didn’t last long. We returned to the cottage for my TV and naps (me). Before dinner, we took another stroll on the shore – and the sun was out! Gorgeous!

We ate dinner in the cottage tonight and watched The Goldbergs and Last Man Standing. It was cozy and relaxing and perfect. A nice recharge. Tomorrow will be a very long day!

Day 14 - June 12, 2018, Cannon Beach, OR

Day 14, June 12, 2018

Portland, OR – Astoria, OR – Cannon Beach, OR

127 miles/3 hours

We were all slow to rise this morning and momma had some work to do. Believe it or not, I’m still working on this trip (although not full time), and it can get crazy with internet access in the boonies and the three-hour time distance. As a result, we didn’t leave Portland until late morning.

Our only stop of the day was the Lewis & Clark National Historical Site, in Astoria. Little known fact, the original Kindergarten Cop was filmed in Astoria. A little movie trivia for you. How do I know this? Well, I love that scene where Arnold and the kids give the Gettysburg Address, on the grass with the water in the background. It was so breathtaking, I had to know where that little town was and did some research (years ago). Sadly, we were not blessed with such a pretty day today. Still, Astoria looked cool from the vantage point of Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark spent the winter, after finally reaching the Pacific in 1805.

As is the case with most historical sites, the Fort was quite small. Blink and you miss it. But we did get to view a movie about their almost three-year journey to the west coast. I found it fascinating, as did Cammy. Hunter told me it was boring, and Audrey and Barrett fell asleep. I try people, I try!

Then we headed to Cannon Beach and I fell in love. I love a beach town, even in the cold rain. It’s so cute here, very New England-like, and we’re slowing down. We get to stay two days and we’re going to relax. The kids checked out the beach, which is home to Haystack Rock (see pics below). All the beach photo credits go to Audrey. She took some extraordinary pictures. We took a nice walk to explore the village and then had dinner and ice-cream. It’s now 8:30. Boys are all in bed, Audrey is watching America’s Got Talent, and I’m wrapping this up. Bedtime for momma, as well.

Day 13 - June 11, 2018, Portland, OR

Day 13, June 11, 2018

Seattle, WA – Portland, OR

177 miles/3 hours

It was very hard to leave Seattle this morning. I hate goodbyes! Especially in the rain. But we’re hoping to see the Chamblins again soon. Ugh…..

On our way to Portland, we stopped in Olympia to see the state capitol, of course. It was sunnier in Olympia than it had been in Seattle, and the grounds were very pretty. The capitol building is traditional, so I didn’t really have any aha moments, but everyone we encountered was very nice. 

Downtown Olympia is cute, but we didn’t stop because we’d had a late breakfast, and no one was hungry.

On to Portland it was…

Portland is really cool. We’re staying right downtown, and I took a walk and really enjoyed the feel of the city It’s definitely more of a residential city than Atlanta (although, aren’t they all?). Lots of cool condos and beautiful town homes, which you can tell are expensive. I saw many fancy dancy cars. Portland is an artsy city, with sidewalk musicians on every block, many galleries, and some funky health food, which I love. The kiddos spotted a Subway (restaurant). Oh well, guess you know what they had for dinner. 

I did my research before the road trip, so I’d know which bookstores I wanted to visit. Portland is home to Powell Books – the biggest bookstore in the United Stated. When I walked in, they handed me a MAP (and then I heard the angels sing). It was sooooo big. Four stories, and multiple rooms, all named after a color. It was almost (but not quite) too much. I was overwhelmed, until I put my map skills to the test. I won’t bore you with the rest of the story, but it ended with me gushing to the checkout guys about how thrilled I was.

By the way, I’m now officially in the 48 club! I’m been to all 48 states, by car, stayed at least 24 hours in a row in all of them, ate at least two meals, and did something touristy in each. Woot-woot! My children only have California to go.

Day 11 & 12 - June 9-10, 2018

Seattle, WA

Two whole days in the same spot! Can you say, relaxing?!?!?! We all slept in till 9 A.M. and it was heaven. I should mention that Barrett has been sleeping like bear in hibernation. I don’t remember him ever sleep so soundly and for so long in my life. He is chill!

We basically spent these two days sleeping, eating, watching TV, catching up with friends and going on small excursions. Hunter took advantage of his driver’s license and often went for a drive on his own. Haley took the kids out to her haunts a few times. On Saturday, Michele took me to where she works – Amazon Books. Now, some of you know I’m very upset (although not entirely innocent!), about what Amazon has down to bookstores. Especially when I see that they’ve occasionally taken over B&N storefronts. Still, a bookstore is a bookstore, and I love my girl and she loves her job (and I’m more than a little jealous that she gets to work in a bookstore). Imagine my surprise when I discovered that I liked the store. I found it interesting how they categorized the books. One fun section was - Books Recommended by Celebrities. Also, every book in the store is displayed with its Amazon sales stats – ranking, average review, and number of reviews.

Besides the bookstore, we (Audrey and I) also got into a little trouble at Anthropology and Pac Sun. Enough said about that. Haley and Audrey went off on their own, and Michele and I met her friend Laurie for a glass (or two) of wine at the W in Bellevue. I love Laurie, who I met in Nashville last September. We had so much fun giggling and talking about girl stuff and life.

Another excursion was to the Elliott Bay Book Company in downtown Seattle. Camden and Barrett joined us for that one. Coolest (aesthetically speaking) bookstore I’ve ever seen! We also had lunch in Kirkland, which is another cute little Seattle neighborhood (or town?) on the bay. The weekend weather ended up being very pretty, with quite a bit of sun – and the views everywhere are beautiful. After lunch we did a bit of window shopping and this time Michele was the one who indulged (with my shameless prompting).

Very, very sad to be leaving tomorrow!

Drinks with Michele and Laurie

Big A!

Elliott Bay Books! Told you!

The boys while shopped.

Day 10 - June 8, 2018, Seattle, WA

Day 10, June 8, 2018

Vancouver, BC – Seattle, WA

?? miles/4 hours.

Today’s journey was wicked cool. Would you believe I have never been on a real train before? I’m talking Amtrak – city to city. We were all so excited (well, except for maybe Hunter – but nothing excites him anymore). The early departure didn’t even dampen my spirits – plus I (of course) slept for part of the journey.

We were in the first train car, business class, and were sitting close together. Hunter and Audrey went to the dining car to get snacks and we all settled in for a relaxing ride. It didn’t start off on the best note. Barrett ate his hamburger super-fast and in no time, he threw it up. Luckily, I have quick reflexes and I caught it in my hands. Yes, you read that right. Bear and I cleaned ourselves up in the restroom and then relaxed for the remainder of the trip. Seriously. I think he just ate fast, because he was sooooooooooooooooooooo happy. Bear has loved trains since he was a little boy. He kept saying, “Best day ever!” and “So, cool!” He loved the train whistle and looked out the windows the whole time. I only wish it had been a sunny day. It was very pretty, but I’m sure blue skies would have blown us away.

We arrived at the King Street Station around 11 A.M. We gather our luggage and cabbed it back to our car. Then we set out (mostly) on foot to tour the Emerald City. First stop was the waterfront, where we had a delicious lunch at Elliott’s. After that we headed over to Pike Market. We explored the market, where Audrey put her gum on the gum wall (gross), the boys enjoyed the fisherman playing catch with their fish (for real). I bought some pretty flowers for Auntie Shell and browsed a bookstore. No purchases though – it was a communist bookstore. Then we all went to our Mecca – the original Starbucks! Fun!

Our last stop was the Space Needle. Bummer again for the weather. Very overcast. I also experienced vertigo and felt like I was going to throw up. Michele later explained that I was probably experiencing altitude sickness. Plausible, as I’m pretty sure I had that when we were in Colorado a few years ago. Anyway, we got our pictures and then headed home to the Chamblins.

Once again, they spoiled us rotten. We had yet another delicious meal, and lots of bonding. I love them!

Views from the train:

Seattle:

Aud at the Gum Wall 

The kiddos in front of the original Starbucks.

At the top of the Space Needle: