Summer Vacation, Continued

So we went to Mt. Hood, quite a long drive, and climbed to the TimberLine Lodge, so named because it's at the timber line, a term Mike and I had to explain to our wives...It was a classic WPA project, that even Mike admired, even though he generally disdains stuff accomplished by Demorcratic presidents.

We walked around the place, admiring the gorgeous views of the mountain, and then went to the front desk.  Loni had read that they kept a replica of Jack Nicholson's infamous ax from "The Shining," and we took photos recreating the famous "Here's Johnny" scene.  Mike and I noticed that our wives brought the ax a bit too close to our heads...

From there we drove to Cannon Beach, on the coast, after a stop at the Tillamook Cheese factory.  Mike and Loni bought their famous ice cream.  Wifey declined, but then ate most of Mike's sample.  I was content with the smoked cheddar, which was delicious.

Every so often, I arrive at a place, and feel a sense of belonging there.  That's true of Asheville, Key West, and Greenwich Village, to name a few.  In California it is Santa Cruz.  Well -- it happened again, at Cannon Beach.

I immediately fell in love with the place.  Our hotel was gorgeous, and directly on the ocean, but the entire town was like a California coastal town 40 years before.  Sort of like Carmel before it went so upscale.  There were rustic restaurants, and shops -- and an amazing mix of people.  We had some sandwiches at a bagel place run by hippie types -- and then back to the hotel.  We walked along the amazing haystack rocks -- volcanic leftovers which were pushed there from present day Idaho.

In the evening, I opened the two bottles of wine I bought at the Willamette Valley winery we visited, and the 4 of us toasted our kids, ourselves, and the gorgeous hotel we were privileged to visit.  I met an enormous golden retriever, Chad, and watched him run joyously into and out of the ocean, chasing birds, and stopping next to strangers to get petted.  I sent the video I took to the Ds -- wishing us all to have days like Chad.

I went to the front desk clerk and learned that they sold fire kits, to build beach campfires after dark.  I bought a kit -- wood, fire starter, and s'more ingredients, and brought them to the porch.  Loni literally jumped up and down with happiness -- she had always wanted to sit by a beach fire, and never did before.

A couple from Canada were leaving as we arrived, and they invited us to take over their fire.  We did, and as the sun set, you could see many fires dotting the beach.  We sat for hours, as the cool winds blew off the ocean.  It was truly a magical night.

We wished we had planned to stay longer at Cannon Beach.  Like MacArthur, I SHALL return someday.

Next day we left for Seattle, with a stop in Astoria, Oregon, named after John Jacob Astor, who settled it to trade furs.  We had a nice lunch, and then I stepped into a legal marijuana shop and bought some "edibles" -gummy bears.  From there we drove to Seattle, and checked into the Alexa Hotel, near Pike's Market.

Wifey was tired, so Mike, Loni, and I walked the city.  I got back to the room and tried my first gummy -- little effect, even when supplemented by a couple of martinis at a seafood place.

Next day we toured the Paul Allen funded museum of Pop Culture, and all enjoyed it.  There were Star Trek exhibits, as well as one about Jim Henson and his muppets.  I enjoyed the Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie collections, as well.  From there, we walked to the Space Needle, waited for the elevator, and enjoyed the view of the city.

That night, Mike and Loni went off to look for the first Starbucks, and Wifey and I went to a local restaurant.  I ate 2 gummies.  An hour later, they kicked in, and it wasn't pleasant.  I was unsteady and irritable.  I became mildly aphasic.  I knew the feelings would pass, and they did.  Nah -- not for me -- I'll stick to vodkas.

The following night Wifey took another pass, and Mike, Loni and I took the underground tour.  It was a highlight -- a very entertaining fellow taught us about early Seattle, including that a major force in its development was a madam named Lou Gramm -- she took a man's name to be treated better by bankers, which she was, especially since many were her clients.  She died and left an equivalent of $6M to the Seattle schools -- yet none are named for her.

Our final day we got up early, and found a place named Cone and Steiner for breakfast.  They had just opened.  The blonde proprietress, with tatoos and dreads, greeted us.  I asked if there was a Cone or Steiner.  Sure enough, she was Cone's great granddaughter, and had continued the family business.  The coffee, like all in Seattle, was awesome.

We drove to the Boeing factory, and took a terrific tour -- seeing how they manufacture 767, 777, 747, and 787 jets.  It was fascinating, and all the more cool since we would be flying home on a Boeing jet, although a 737 -- manufactured in the original Boeing plant, 30 miles to the South, in Tacoma plant.

We had hours to kill before our redeye flight home, so we stopped at U Washington, to tour their campus.  It was surprisingly not very picturesque -- some cool early 1900 buildings, but a huge paved plaza instead of rolling lawns.  Plus, it was hot as hell -- turned out it was a historic Seattle heat wave -- felt just like home.

From there, we went to a mall near Sea-Tac airport, and took in a movie, "A Ghost Story."  It had gotten sterling revues.  All four of us agreed it might have been the worst, or nearly the worst, movie we had ever seen.  It was comically horrible.  But it DID kill some time.

We then went to a place called Joey's , and had a fine final lunch.  From there it was adios to our trusty enormous SUV at the Hertz lot, and some drinks at the tiny Seattle Centurion Lounge.

The plane left, and then came back to the gate.  Some type of medical emergency.  Then it was into the skies, and a smooth ride back to MIA.

Chris was there to greet us, and dropped us home, to an intact house, and 2 live dogs.

We were away 9 days -- quite a long time for us, and very happy we took the trip.  Now nothing on the itinerary except the Big, Fat, Colombian wedding -- just 4 weeks from tomorrow.

Maybe next summer I'll rent a house on Cannon Beach...you never know.