This Is NOT The End: Seattle, WA to Astoria, OR
Ferry from Seattle, WA to Bremerton, WA. Hwy 3 W and US 101 S to Astoria, OR where I will spend the night before taking my motorcycle to the BMW dealer in Portland - a short jaunt from Astoria. I made arrangements for a shipper to pick up my bike and deliver it to the dealer in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I purchased an airline ticket from Portland, OR to Ft. Lauderdale, FL - the red-eye leaving tomorrow night (Tuesday) and arriving on Wednesday morning.
Crossing the Columbia River, a 4+ mile bridge from Washington State, I landed in Astoria, OR.
I am now seated at a table at the Urban Cafe on the main drag - drinking tons of coffee. Sitting on the ferry, I thought about all my experiences I have had on this trip: all the people I met, the riding challenges, the places I stayed, the different spirits of place I experienced, the general attitude of the people, the conversations, the natural beauty, the various emotions I went through as I rode, and the practicalities of the routines I developed over the last three weeks. Time to check in to the motel.
Checked in at my motel in Astoria. A great family run place on a high perch overlooking the tongue beach at which Lewis & Clark camped from November 27, 1805 to December 7, 1805. A really nice view.
As I was checking in, I looked around the corner and noticed about 6 elderly women with their sowing machines. They were making quilts. We talked for about 30 minutes.
They informed me that the Columbia River estuary now has Hump Back Whales for the first time it its history. Also, about 5 years ago, Sea Lions have appeared and they are a menace: they kill the salmon that has spawned up river - eating the stomachs of the fish and leaving the rest. In addition, there are now "town deer". The biggest political issue of the day was permitting those granted a "tag" to kill deer in the town itself. This new rule is in contradiction of the law that prevents guns from being used in city limits. They carved out an exception to the in city use of guns for killing town deer.
The women loved talking about Astoria. I asked them whether their quilting group had a name. They just said, "Call us The Sweatshop Quilters" and then laughed.
What did I learn on this trip? Have I changed? Are people the same throughout the country? Would I like to live anywhere that I have been? Where did I feel more like myself - North Carolina, Montana, Iowa, South Dakota, Washington, Oregon? Florida? I will tackle these issues on my last few posts.
I can say that I have undergone some changes: I grew a grey beard on this trip. I have bought my first piece of jewelry - a ring from Stephen Isley in Whitefish, MT. I know that there were times when I wish I were with Janis, or a good friend to share this experience in real time. I know I will need to get sleep back in Florida.
Crossing the Columbia River, a 4+ mile bridge from Washington State, I landed in Astoria, OR.
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| View of 4.2 Mile Bridge From Washington State to Oregon |
I am now seated at a table at the Urban Cafe on the main drag - drinking tons of coffee. Sitting on the ferry, I thought about all my experiences I have had on this trip: all the people I met, the riding challenges, the places I stayed, the different spirits of place I experienced, the general attitude of the people, the conversations, the natural beauty, the various emotions I went through as I rode, and the practicalities of the routines I developed over the last three weeks. Time to check in to the motel.
Checked in at my motel in Astoria. A great family run place on a high perch overlooking the tongue beach at which Lewis & Clark camped from November 27, 1805 to December 7, 1805. A really nice view.
As I was checking in, I looked around the corner and noticed about 6 elderly women with their sowing machines. They were making quilts. We talked for about 30 minutes.
They informed me that the Columbia River estuary now has Hump Back Whales for the first time it its history. Also, about 5 years ago, Sea Lions have appeared and they are a menace: they kill the salmon that has spawned up river - eating the stomachs of the fish and leaving the rest. In addition, there are now "town deer". The biggest political issue of the day was permitting those granted a "tag" to kill deer in the town itself. This new rule is in contradiction of the law that prevents guns from being used in city limits. They carved out an exception to the in city use of guns for killing town deer.
The women loved talking about Astoria. I asked them whether their quilting group had a name. They just said, "Call us The Sweatshop Quilters" and then laughed.
What did I learn on this trip? Have I changed? Are people the same throughout the country? Would I like to live anywhere that I have been? Where did I feel more like myself - North Carolina, Montana, Iowa, South Dakota, Washington, Oregon? Florida? I will tackle these issues on my last few posts.
I can say that I have undergone some changes: I grew a grey beard on this trip. I have bought my first piece of jewelry - a ring from Stephen Isley in Whitefish, MT. I know that there were times when I wish I were with Janis, or a good friend to share this experience in real time. I know I will need to get sleep back in Florida.
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