Starfish Eating the Mussels

On a New York subway you get fined for spitting, but you can throw up for nothing.

The following morning after our arrival on Whidbey Island was the day that Joe decided to show us how HE caught crabs.  Now Joe’s a professional at this since he’s been doing it in the same place for years. 

It was a beautiful morning.  Just three of us wanted to go put the crab pots in the water.  However, the offer was made to everyone so no one was left out.  It was just neither Janice nor Terry really wanted to go out in the boat at that time.  The sun was shining, the water was like glass and the best part of all was that it was a minus tide.  We got to see starfish feasting on the mussels on the wharf.  The minus tide is what made it so phenomenal.  As the water had receded with the tide, lots of starfish remained on the ramp and on the wharf.  They were waiting for the tide to come back in.  In the meantime, with camera ready I really enjoyed snapping dozens of photos.  I had never seen anything like it before.

After the boat was launched, we circled to the main wharf to grab a bunch of mussels and take a look at the starfish that were busy sucking the bodies of the mussels out of their shell. 

The crab pots were dropped using chicken and mussels as bait. The plan was to leave them in the water to tempt the large male crabs.  Later a few of us would go back to collect the treasure.  That was the plan.

Next, we went back to Joe's Place to catch up with Janice and Terry.  Joe was itching to show us the little town of Coupeville.  On our way there we circled the bay where mussels are farmed.  I had eaten a lot of mussels but had never seen a mussel farm. It was interesting.

One of Joe’s favorite places to eat in the little town of Coupeville is Toby’s.  So, that’s where we went.  We had to agree with him that the food was excellent.  I had the halibut fish and chips along with a cup of fabulous clam chowder so I can vouch for those items.  Coupeville was a cute little town.  They had a festival planned for the weekend so there was lots of activity.  Two ships were tied at the end of the dock.  They were intended to battle each other during the festival on Saturday.  Jerry and Joe hung around the ships sizing them up for a while, Janice went shopping and we just wandered around a bit.  With five people, coordinating things can be a little difficult and awkward at times.  Eventually, we all finished with our scouting around and headed back .... well, kind of.

However, the day wasn’t over yet.  The crab pots needed to be fetched and the catch checked out.  Then, there was the Happy Hour down the street that Joe had been invited to.  Since he was instructed to bring all of us with him, we crashed their party until they kicked us out.  Well, they didn’t kick us out but you’ve got to remember we still had the crab to cook.  Then, of course, we had to eat it.

It was a long day but we did it all.  Joe’s a hard one to keep up with.  No one got a nap.  He kept us pretty busy but it was certainly an interesting day.  We learned a lot about a lot of things.

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As a little treat for all of you trying to sell your home, I’m sending you this Saint Joseph. We saw it in a gag shop in Coupeville, thought it was cute and knew everyone would have to have it.  Now it wasn’t that I was too cheap to buy a dozen of these (but I was), I just knew it would be hard to forward it on.  So, here’s a virtual one.

Isn’t it worth trying everything!! 

-- August 11th

The End of the Coastal Tour

Bad habits are like a comfortable bed; they are easy to get into, but hard to get out of.

The tour of the coast is over.  We’ve taken you to enjoy the surf of the ocean. We’ve shared our seafood dinners with you – the good and the bad. You especially know now where you can find great oyster stew. We’ve taken you shopping at a few of the stores. Most importantly we’ve even taken you out on our boat. We’ve shown you how to crab and how to eat it. It’s not everyone who we will share our crab with but we shared it with you. Well, kind of. We got the real stuff and you got the virtual stuff.

I guess a person never gets over being a tour guide. Eventually, we’ll take you back to the Old Columbia River highway and the waterfalls but for us that might not be until September.  However, you know how accurate I am with keeping calendars.  There are just some things I like to do each and every year. The coast, the Puget Sound and the waterfalls all fall into that category. 

The tour at the coast is over.  It was time to move in another direction.  That direction was inland.  The Hyders moved out in the morning and after we thought about it and thought about it, we decided to leave a day early.  Again, our laundry basket was really overflowing and we were ready to relax a bit before they caught back up with us.  Of course, Janice hooked me up with Skype before she left.  That was probably if they weren’t there to bug us, she was going to try another way.  Oh well, I think it’s actually pretty cool.

We’ve kind of got it down where we can close up and get moving pretty fast.   The boat had been taken out of the water the day before and it was still hitched to the Jeep.  Once the tanks were emptied and the slides were in on the motorhome, we were ready to move.

We had some beautiful days on the coast in the 70’s with gorgeous blue skies.  Once you cross over the Coastal Range, the temperatures warm up.  We stopped at the Kelso Elks with the intent of staying a few nights before heading up to the Port Townsend and Whidbey Island area.  For the first time in weeks and weeks, we had to turn on our air conditioner.  Ugh!  That isn’t something we like to have to do but we do when we need to.

Once we had the boat cleaned up and put back into its little storage place at Lee’s house, we headed back to try to relax.  For the next few days we won’t be doing much.  I know that’s unusual but there are times that other things need to be done.  Besides, it certainly will feel good to be a lazy bum for a couple days before the next action begins.  This is definitely the life of an RV’er.

It’s now 9:00 PM as I’m writing this.  It’s still light outside and I’m waiting for it to get dark so I can go to bed.  Right now that’s just one of the many of things I’m wishing for …. sleep time.

That was Monday, August 1st.

Update --  Well, you might have guessed that after I wrote this and thought all that relaxation was about to happen ..... it didn't.  Remember the saying that there's no rest for the wicked?  Keep posted.

Tillamook Air Museum and Other Stuff

Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.  That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.

Janice learned a trick.  She got out her fishing pole, attached a note and figured this was a better way to send a message from one motorhome to another.

We had been crabbing and we had been crabbing.  On this particular Sunday it was intended to be a little different.  We actually didn’t spend the day on the water.  We went to the Tillamook Air Museum and stopped for a little more ice cream.  That was the plan and that’s what we did.  After all, we knew Sunday would be the last day we spent on the coast with the Hyders.  Finally …. we’ll get some rest.  Finally!!

However, we did get a little sidetracked just a tad.  Our first stop came when we passed through Garibaldi and Jerry eyed the local festival.  It was Garibaldi Days.  We stopped and found some more treasurers.  These treasures were sand dollars that had been “harvested” and polished.

Then, we plugged along to Ace Hardware and also Fred Meyer.  So, it wasn’t exactly as planned but we figured close enough.  Part of the day’s plan was also to get back early enough that we could rest a little.  We didn’t actually get to relax too much after getting back for our day’s excursion because it was later than we figured.

I saw this little poster at the air museum and thought it was relevant.  When I wrote this blog Justin was soon to be heading out.  He was wanted.  However, now that this is finally getting posted, that date is behind us.

The Tillamook Air Museum is just south of the town.  It’s worth the trip and we enjoyed looking at the old planes, autos and displays.

Getting back also meant that we’d need to work on getting the boat back on the trailer and dinner.  However, the four of us really needed a nap.  We set our alarm clock for 6:00 PM which allowed for one hour of rest before dinner.  One thing we have discovered is that we all enjoy having a nap.  We can only go, go, go for so long and we've been going for a long time.  

That was it.  That was the day.  We finished up the remainder of the crab in our crab salad and pretty much called it a day.

Left over crab and salad

We really need a vacation!!

We’re Fishing Instead of Crabbing

A half-baked idea is okay as long as it’s in the oven.

Off with the front windshield and back panel for a beautiful day on the water!

I thought this little tiny boat was just my speed.

Friday we did something different.  We didn’t go crabbing.  We went fishing. This was kind of like the semi-blind leading the blinder in this circumstance.  We didn’t catch a thing.  We didn’t have a bite.  We also think  half the time we had everything hooked up wrong.  But, then again, from what we understand no one else did any good either.  We’re going to blame it on the fact that the fish weren’t running yet.  They were all out in the ocean getting ready to come in.  That’s our story and we’re sticking with it.

Here's Jerry trying for the perfect setup on his pole.

The first thing you have to do to prepare yourself for this new adventure is to buy licenses.  Oregon seems to require a license for every type of fun you can think up.  We jumped in the boat and went down to the Wheeler Marina.  That place was absolutely packed with everyone else around trying to buy bait or licenses.  Once that was accomplished we were back out in the boat with high hopes of snagging that big one.

And, Janice is trying for a better rigging than Jerry.

The problem for us fishing here is we’ve not done a lot of trolling for salmon in years and years.  Thus, we didn’t actually know how to help.  Oh, we knew a little … just a little.  We know how to tie everything and connect it from point A to point B.  The problem was putting the actual plug bait on the hook and keeping it there without dragging the bottom. The current was swift, the depth not so deep and the seaweed plentiful.

A garage sale we just had to visit.

Either way I think we all had another great day doing something.  After being totally skunked, we headed into Wheeler in a vehicle instead of the boat.  The first thing that caught Jerry’s eye was a sign for a garage sale.  You can guess where we stopped ... the garage sale.  We don’t have too much too worry about at these places because most of the nooks and crannies in our motorhomes are already full of something else.

View from our table at the Pizza Garden.

Next, it was off for pizza …. again.  The day was still gorgeous and we sat out on the deck just above the river.

Another great day and we had taken advantage of all of it.  Now you know what we were up to on that Friday which was over a week ago from the time this blog will get posted.  With all this activity just maybe it's time to start posting a little more often again to get caught up again.

A Heron sitting in the tree and watching us eat.

Friday, July 30.

Beaching the Boat and Manzanita Beach

I want my children to have all the things I couldn’t afford.  Then, I want to move in with them.

Thursday turned out to be another gorgeous day on the Oregon coast.  Many times on the coast the fog will roll in during the morning hours and as the sun pops up it will roll on out.  That didn’t even happen on Thursday.  It was just beautiful from the start.

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After sitting around for a while drinking our coffee and then a trip into town to a little café for breakfast that was really lunch, it was time to launch the boat and take a spin.  That we did.

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First we headed down the Nehalem River to the town of Wheeler.  There were lots of fishing boats in the river.  There were also several kayaks out.

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Then, we turned around and headed to Nehalem Bay and the area by the Nehalem Bay State Park.  Since this area is close to the ocean, the beach is pretty sandy there.

 

The boat was beached and we started checking out the driftwood along the waterfront.   We were also   looking for treasures.

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This was the treasure that Janice found.  We weren’t quite sure what it looked like but we could imagine lots of things. 
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The sand was pretty soft close to the water’s edge.  Sinking into it was definitely something we did at times.

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When we finally got ready to return, the boat took a little bit of pushing to get it totally back in the water.  After all, it had been high tide when we landed and not so high when it was time to return.


The winds had picked up considerably.  Sitting and walking on the beach we hadn’t noticed this.  There were white caps and good sized little swells going back.  Since we had unzipped and taken off the front windshield covers, the water was splashing in and we were getting sprayed with salt water.

 

The good thing was it was only a short jaunt to the bend.   At that point we were protected from the winds coming in off the ocean and the water in the bay calmed.  Once the white caps disappeared the splashing stopped and our RV park wasn’t far away.

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In the evening we took a little drive down to Manzanita Beach.  It’s just one more place along the Oregon coast with a gorgeous beach.

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Another day behind us and we were totally zonked again.  Being in the salt air and on the water sure tires us out.

 

I’m beginning to think we need a vacation.  We seem to be very, very worn out every night.

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What a day!!!

Happy Birthday again, Lee.

Playing Tourist – Plus a Couple More Birthdays

Whoever said money can’t buy happiness didn’t know where to shop.

Saturday is Michael's 18th birthday.  So, Happy Birthday, Michael!!  Duchess shares her birthday with Michael.  Duchess is 10.  We'll have to come up with a special treat for her.

Here's Michael on our whale watching trip.  Michael and I flew from Texas to Seattle.  We took the hydrofoil to Victoria, stayed at the Empress Hotel and went whale watching plus many other  things.  It was a great time we had together.

Happy Birthday, Duchess

Another day out and about meant another day visiting the Tillamook Cheese Factory.  However, we made a quick little stop first showing the Hyders where to go for a fairly private spot at Manhattan Beach.  Of course, no place is private on a weekend.  This wasn't a weekend.  It was foggy but still beautiful.  It’s one of those places that’s always nice to know about so you can return to it.  I took a few pictures but amazingly they were foggy too.

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The beach was a quick stop mainly to scoop it out.  The stop at the cheese factory wasn’t quite so quick because it was back to being tourists.  Jerry and Janice took the self-guided tour, sampled the cheese and even bought some.  Then, they opted for an ice cream cone before walking out the door.  The intent is to spend money and they did.  That’s what the Tillamook Cheese Factory wants you to do.

Next, we made another return trip to the Latimer Quilt and Textile Shop.  Actually, I drug them there because I liked it and hoped that they would too.  I think they did since they spent some time looking at all the fantastic quilts.  Some of those quilts were absolutely fabulous.  We also enjoyed checking out the weaving machines.

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The Blue Heron Cheese Factory is just down the road from both of these places.  However, we had never stopped there before.  It is well worth the stop and I think we missed out by not stopping there.  They have cheese samples as well as a wine tasting bar and  jams and preserves.  Plus, they have a nice little café inside.  It’s definitely worth the stop.

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On the way back to the RV park we made one more stop at the Pirate's Cove Restaurant.  The restaurant sits on Highway 101 and overlooks Tillamook Bay.  Terry had another bowl of oyster stew but the rest of us had different items off the menu and I don’t remember hearing any complaints.

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Lunch at Pirate's Cove

After lunch all four of us were ready for an afternoon nap.  That’s just what we did until dinner time.  Then, it was out with the cheese and crackers before a dip in the hot tub.

Notice that we didn’t go crabbing.  There also aren’t any beachie pictures and I didn’t show more pictures of the Tillamook Cheese Factory.  It was just a great day with good friends.

Besides if you think you're tired of reading about crabbing and boating and beaches, you can imagine how tired we must be.  You're just reading.  We're the ones doing all the doing.  Believe me ... we are tired.
We are very, very tired.




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Return to Tillamook Cheese Factory

I’ve learned that I should have told my Mom and Dad that I love and appreciated them more often than I did!

Michael and Justin showed up as planned early Thursday.  We could have taken them down to Jetty Fishery to do a little crabbing.  However, it was very foggy and very drizzly.  Obviously it wouldn’t have been a fun day to be out on the dock.

Remember the cheese line from the other day?

Even though we had taken Justin and Jordan to Tillamook Cheese Factory last week, it had been many years since Michael had been there.  However, once inside he adapted rather nicely to the line of free cheese samples, free fudge samples and the ice cream cone.  Isn’t it amazing how things like this don’t take much direction or training?

Jordan, Sandi, Michael and Justin

Was it 2004 that Michael was here last?  Well, I was certainly pretty brave when I decided to hop on a plane in Texas and take a vacation with all four of the grandkids on the Oregon coast.  It was just me and them.  I was definitely outnumbered. Most grandparents I know will take one or two at a time.  Not me.  I had to jump in with both feet and take all four of them.  How did it go?  Marvelous … we had a great time.  The Tillamook Cheese Factory was just one of the places we visited on our trip to the Pacific Northwest seven years ago. 

Sandi, Jordan, Justin and Michael

In addition to beach time, we also spent time at Multnomah Falls and visited several of the waterfalls along the Old Columbia River highway.

Michael, Justin, Jordan and Sandi  --  This was before the hike to the top of the falls.  You should have seen them afterwards!

Actually, I’ve visited these waterfalls many times and taken hundreds of pictures of them.  This year will be no different.  I just haven’t been there yet but I do have plans to return.  Just like I have plans to do another whale watching tour in the San Juan Islands.  I have lots of plans for this summer.  However, I’d like to slow time down a bit.  I have a lot I want to do and not a lot of summer left!

Now that I’ve shown pictures of my grandkids … on to the rest of the day.  It included another stop at the wharf in Garibaldi.  This time I did get to try the clam chowder at Fisherman’s Corner.  And, as usual, Terry had his normal oyster stew. It just seems that one little bowl of chowder can be made so many different ways.  Sometimes it’s absolutely fantastic and other times not so much.  This was not so much. I’m anxious to go back to Pudgy’s in Seaside for their killer chowder. It’s way past time I had another bowl of great chowder!

Tomorrow we're going to pull out those crabbing rings and try our luck again.  My mouth is already watering for some more crab.