On the Dock of the Bay .. Again

Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life.  You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you.

With the weekend came tons of folks to the beach.  Everywhere we went there were people and more people.  Parking lots were full and the roads had many more cars than during the week
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Hey ... look what I caught!

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We decided to spend one more day “on the dock of the bay”.  Since none of us had thought about sunburns, we were surprised that Michael got one.  The weather had been nice but cool.  We doctored him up with a little aloe vera and sunscreen.  He also played it a little safe and sought shelter when available.
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A perfect day to nap in between checking crab pots

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Justin and Michael, being the pro crabbers they had become, were the teachers for Janice and Jerry.  Before long everyone was tossing the nets and sorting the crabs.  Saturday was a beautiful day.

Eating was another thing that didn’t take much convincing.  As you can tell, Michael and Terry weren’t that interested in it.  The rest of us were pretty happy that we didn’t have to share with more than necessary.
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You catch them.  You eat them.

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Sunday was the day the boys needed to head back inland.  So, after fiddling with WOW for awhile we all headed towards Seaside with them.  That little town was more than packed. Kids and their parents were everywhere.  Finding parking spaces was extremely difficult.

We returned to Pudgy’s for some of their “killer” chowder.  Isn’t it amazing that the first time we taste something we seem to like it better than the second time?  It was good but not quite so memorable the second time around.  Oh well …….. still in search of the perfect chowder.

Clam chowder bread bowl at Pudgy's.

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The boys were off north and we headed south to spend another evening enjoying life on the road.

Chores and Tacky Award Winner -- Seaside TTN Manager

When your dreams turn to dust, vacuum.

There are always chores needing to be done. Thursday we had to do laundry. If we didn’t, we’d have to go shopping. We did the laundry instead.  Don’t worry I’m not posting a picture of our dirty laundry. 

Laundry wasn’t the only thing on our list of chores. We had housecleaning to do – inside and out. It’s not so hard to do things like this when the weather is cooperating.  It certainly has been beautiful.

Super laundry facilities on the south end of the park.

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Another thing on our list was returning the new wireless printer we bought the day before in Portland. The printer worked fine. The wireless setup was easy but the scanner didn’t work.  On top of that the scanner software for the one that died was better than what was included with the new scanner.  Staples does price matching so we were able to swap for a wireless Epson all-in-one printer at an additional cost of only one penny. Once connected, it worked perfectly and the scanner software is better too.  Isn’t it amazing that we can almost buy a new printer now for about the same price as it costs just to replace the ink?

There is a little BBQ restaurant nestled between Hwy 101 and the river we had been wanting to try. It certainly doesn’t look like much from the outside but many times we find these are the best places. This one certainly was a winner in our book. The barbecue was always outside cooking and the aroma in the air always got our attention when we drove by.  Instead of seafood at the coast, this time we feasted on brisket, chicken and prime rib. Creekside Pizzeria was an awesome place to eat.  Obviously, they serve a lot more than just pizza.  We had a riverfront seat and a super meal to boot.

We had been staying at the Seaside TTN/ LTR park.  It’s a great park and in a super location.  On weekends the manager is in charge of cooking breakfast in their Sand Dollar Cafe.  We heard last week that he used to be a cook but not so sure that’s really true or just what someone thought. Remember --  we ate in the little cafe last weekend too.

The clubhouse was much busier last weekend over the 4th holiday than it was this Saturday.  Matter of fact, there wasn’t even a line.  Our orders were placed.  Mine was for scrambled eggs and Terry’s for one pancake.  However, we were a little surprised to see that our order was put aside to wait while the order for the person who walked in behind us was taken and his 3-egg omelet prepared before ours was even started.  Huh?  The reason according to the manager?  Well, he said it took a little longer to cook the pancake than make the omelet.   How did he know what the person was going to order when he set ours aside?   We had plenty of time to wait.  It wasn’t that.  Could it have possibly been  my gray hair?  (Oops .. I don’t have any thanks to L’Oreal).  The person behind us (who was now really in front of us) was from corporate or so we were told.  We weren't sure how that should make a difference but evidently the manager did.   We actually thought it a little insulting ... or, was it just tacky?

Most of the time I’m giving kudos to great places we’ve been or fabulous food we’ve had.  We've been on a roll for the past few weeks of being able to give rave reviews for restaurants or food.  I hope our luck isn't changing.  We like the good stuff.  However, this time we’re casting our vote to award the manager at Seaside this week’s new “Tacky Award” winner.  (Maybe that would be a great idea for a weekly blog!! – Who gets the Tacky Award this week? ).  Thank goodness we haven't had a winner of this award in quite some time.

I really wouldn’t want to post a tacky award winner each week.  Those who look for fault, usually find it no matter where they look.  I ‘d rather look for the good things.  Wouldn't you?  It’s much more fun to be rewarded with those. 

 

It definitely is a gorgeous park!

I try to respond to each comment that is left but I don't have everyone's email.  Ever notice how some come through without that email attached and others don't.  I wish I could attach every comment with an email but Blogger just isn't set up that way.   

PS -- Regarding the fabric posted the other day --  I have found several different motorhome / rving prints.  The one posted was from Fabric Depot in Portland.  I also found it online.  Here is a link.

Nehalem Bay - Let's Go Crabbing

I’ve learned when you harbor bitterness that happiness will dock elsewhere.

Wednesday started early. It was especially early for Terry. He was out of bed and ready to go way before his normal hour. We were heading back to Portland. At only 75 miles it really wasn’t a long drive. Lee was scheduled for surgery at 7:30 am. Construction crews were everywhere and they start pretty early in the morning. The drive may not have been long but it sure seemed that way with all the road work.

Full cover on the boat.

Lee’s surgery didn’t go as planned.  Actually, it didn't go at all since the surgery was put off until Thursday. There had been a small plane crash and the surgeon was going to be busy stitching them up first. I did get a picture of Lee in his cast riding the little motorized cart at Wal-Mart. The problem is I took the picture with my iPhone and it was very blurry. So, I thought best not to post it.

Previous crabs we got that we had to throw back since they were too small.  Hopefully, they are bigger this year and we'll be able to keep them.

We were also anxious to see the new full cover on the boat. It had been ordered while we were in Sequim. This was our first look at the finished product. We’re getting anxious to give the boat a try. We’ll be moving down the coast towards Nehalem Bay shortly and plan to have that boat filled with crab. At least that’s what we hope.

One of our "keepers" from last year.

The Electric Quilt software I ordered for designing quilts had arrived. I really get excited about new software so was pretty stoked to pick this up. I’ll probably have more fun figuring out the software than actually making the quilt. I find that designing is the hardest part.  It's amazing how many hours I can stare at a piece of fabric hoping for an idea. I think that’s because I want to consolidate everything into one busy quilt --- photos on fabric, embroidery and applique.  I have lots of ideas but thank goodness they are just ideas.  Our little motorhome isn’t big enough to store all the quilts that I imagine I'm going to make.  I'd have to give them away and who wants a virtual quilt? !!

Cute fabric I found but what am I going to do with it ??

While there we picked up a new wireless HP printer from Staples and visited the DSW Shoe Store. My shoes were getting pretty thin on the bottom. They needed to be replaced and I figured DSW was a good place to do it. I ended up with two pairs. Then, we made a quick stop at WINCO, of course, before we got on the road back to the coast.

Construction workers had gone home for the day on our return trip so it was a lot faster going back to the coast than heading inland.  Thank goodness!

In a few more days we'll be making another trip back to pick up the boat, our crab nets and fishing poles. Then, we'll be able to say Let's Go Crabbing.   The park we'll be at has a huge pot for cooking all the crabs we catch in the bay.   Hopefully, the next pictures I post of crab will be with us sitting at our picnic table and eating them.   We just need the weather to cooperate a bit now.  A cold front with a few showers seems to be looming in the near future.

On the Beach at Seaside

Always laugh when you can.  It is the cheapest medicine.

Tuesday was a gorgeous day at the beach.  I do mean really, really gorgeous day.  We were going to take our chairs, Duchess and head to the beach.  The problem was deciding what beach and where???  We knew we didn’t want to go to the beach which is right off of the town area of Seaside.  However, it may be one of the nicest with the easiest access but it would also be the one with the crowds.

Duchess was happy no one else was around.

Duchess was sure happy walking along the beach with me. There were many different things to smell and soft sand to run on.

We decided to head just a little south of town.  What a good choice it was!  As you can tell by the photos below, no one was there when we arrived.  We had the whole beach to ourselves.  This, of course, made Duchess a very happy family member.  She was free until others started to show up.

A very empty beach

The tide was way out.  It’s a little rocky at this spot getting to the sandy beach but other than the steps down to the sand in town, it’s about the easiest.  Do you see anybody on the beach?  It was pretty empty and we liked it just like that.  I bet this doesn’t happen too often during the busy summer months.

It was definitely a gorgeous day.  After spending a while enjoying the sand and ocean, we took Duchess home and checked the crowd on the main beach.  They were certainly there.

People were just about everywhere at this beach.. 

Kite flying is very popular at the beach.  There is usually enough wind to keep the kites in the air and lots of space to run.

We had more seafood at dinner time.  This time I was hungry for a good salad.  That’s just exactly what I got at Pudgy’s.  Matter of fact, it probably is the best Shrimp Louis I’ve every had.  Check out the massive amount of shrimp on top of the salad.

I couldn’t pass up tasting their specialty either.  It’s the Smoked Salmon Clam Chowder.  Our waiter assured us it was a “killer” chowder.  We both had to agree with him.  It was fantastic!

Other than helping finish off the chowder, Terry didn’t order oyster stew.  He was hungry for a hamburger.  He probably would have had oyster stew if they made it but they didn’t.  This is another place I want to revisit just to try another loaded salad.

Hug Point – Old Oregon Stagecoach Route

I've learned that sometimes all a person needs in life is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I had read a couple blogs about Hug Point.  Of course, I also had just seen the sign off of Highway 101 so we were pretty close.  Our visit to Hug Point wasn’t quite the same as the blog I had read.  To begin with, we knew the only time to really visit the place was low tide.  It wasn’t low tide but it wasn’t high tide.  The bad part was that the tide was coming in so we couldn’t walk around the point. 

Imagine traveling by stagecoach along the beach (before the highway was built, the beach was the only way to go). North of the parking area you can still walk along the original trail carved into the point by the stagecoaches. The wayside was named after this trail because it hugs the point.  With the tide coming in I didn’t try to walk around the point especially with the waves crashing on the rocks at times.

It was a beautiful day and a beautiful beach.  Terry just enjoyed it from the top of the hill.  Getting to the beach here it is very rocky.  There were lots of people on the beach. After all we decided to visit on the weekend and worse ....  it was on a holiday weekend!  Some folks were in the water, others had picnic lunches and some were just sitting in the sand or even flying kites.

I know.  I know.  You are probably getting pretty tired of ocean and wave shots by now.  However, I never get tired of them.  Some people love the mountains.  I love the water.  I bet that's obvious.  Well, we won't be on the coast much longer.  We'll be heading inland and all we'll have of this year at the coast are the pictures I've taken.   Tuesday we'll get some more photos probably.  After all the holiday-goers head home, we're going to pack a lunch, take our chairs and head to the sandy beach for the day.  Temperature is to be in the mid-70's.

Seaside, Oregon – Line Dancing And Dooger’s

I’ve learned that everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.  It makes their day and mine too.

Some RV parks offer breakfast or special meals during high season at their location.  Sometimes the portions are large but most of the time they aren’t.  Sometimes the price is very reasonable and sometimes the prices are way too much for what you get.  This past weekend we opted to have breakfast at the Sand Dollar Café located in the Seaside Thousand Trails park.  Take a look at the omelet I ordered.  Just take a look at it!  I can actually say I don’t ever remember having an omelet this big or loaded with this many tomatoes.  Have you?   I think the cook put the whole row of tomatoes in the omelet.   The price was right but do you think I’ll order it again?

Thousand Trails' Sand Dollar Cafe

After breakfast we wanted to take a short little drive to Ocean Vista Way.  We hadn’t scoped out that area of this little seaside town yet.  We had an hour to waste before the manager’s meeting at the RV park so figured that was just about all the time we needed.  It was early.  The beach wasn’t busy yet but it would soon be.  After all, the weather was gorgeous and it was a holiday weekend.

Some of the beaches have rocky entrances and others are sandy.  Obviously, we prefer to walk on the sand instead of rocks.   In this area you definitely wanted to have your shoes on.

Saturday was also the day we decided to have our first line dancing lesson.  Actually, it wasn’t our fault.  We didn’t come up with this idea on our own.  We met some folks at the Thousand Trails manager’s meeting.  They convinced us to join them.  It was their fault.  We weren’t good. We weren’t good at all.  With three dances to learn at our first beginner’s lesson, we figured by the following morning we’d forget all of them.

Dooger’s Restaurant is a pretty popular restaurant around here.  They have four of them within about 75 miles.  The clam chowder  has been featured in Bon Appetit.  We have now visited all four of their restaurants.  (I think they only have four.)  We had our first taste of their clam chowder and oyster stew at the Long Beach location a couple years ago.  Then, last year we tried it again at Cannon Beach.

Oyster Stew at the Seaside Dooger's.

The other day I read a blog from someone who commented on cold and overpriced food at Dooger’s Restaurant.  We had received nothing but good food and service at that chain in the past and wondered if it had changed.  The overpriced part really doesn't count.  We all know the prices before we order and if they're overpriced, we can walk out.  We've walked out after looking at menus in the past either because we didn't like what was on it or didn't like the prices.  I'm sure we'll do it again in the future too. 

Clam Chowder at Warrenton

Thus, we set our goal to trying the other two Dooger’s we had yet to visit.  The last two were both within about 15 miles of each other.  Saturday we went to the Dooger’s in Seaside and Sunday we visited the Warrenton location.

Seaside's lite portion of fish and chips

Oyster stew again at Warrenton

Everything was fantastic at these Dooger restaurants including the food, and the service.  Oyster stew isn’t printed on the menu but they will make it especially for you.  Guess what Terry ordered at both restaurants. 

Oops … there was one thing we did not enjoy at the Warrenton location.  It was some of the parents (not the kids) at the restaurant.  However, you’ve got to remember that this was the 4th of July weekend and everybody and their brother (in this case, brother’s kids) were at the coast.  Kids were blowing straw wrappers, crying, screaming, running, crawling on the floor and the list goes on.  Did you get the picture? That kind of takes away from the enjoyment of a meal out for just about everyone else at the restaurant.  Well, maybe not for everyone but it certainly did for us.

Sorry for all the food shots.  However, we’ve spent a lot of time eating this weekend.  Anyone know how to send taste samples with a blog?