Our time here is up and we are getting organized to leave our "summer place". We have probably had our last nice day, according to the weather people, and so we feel like we're winding up with inside chores. The couple coming here after us to take the "second shift" of August and September has dropped off mounds of belongings and headed up to Seattle area for a week before settling in here. So, we are thinking back over our two months.
- The houses in town are dull architecturally, but there are fabulous trees of all sorts, greens, viewpoints, and a wondrous bay that offers us eagles soaring above and people tending oyster beds below as the tides go in and out.
- Weather included lots of overcast days and normal temperatures only in the 50s, but the latter suits Eva to a T and so she howls with delight each day she can go out in a Tshirt while I am in two layers of long-sleeved shirts.
- The blackberries that surround us won't bear edible fruit until after we leave, but we've enjoyed the farmers' market cherries and delighted in the gorgeous flowers along the roadsides and in the yard. Eva tried a black apricot that she is still talking about.
- We are in a remote area so that getting "somewhere" takes some doing, but that has not stopped us from getting "out". We have seen new places on the Pacific going north and relished seeing old favorites like Cannon Beach (picture at top) over again. And we have adapted to quiet and calm and peaceful just fine, thanks!
- We have been bored and restless at times, but also have been so relaxed and well rested that we are in the mood for some excitement. Fortunately, we have found enough books to keep us out of trouble and we love watching the feral cats try to catch some of the birds at the feeders (no luck so far). Some of the boredom has been due to Eva's knee, which is still in the healing process and therefore has kept us from further exploring.
- We didn't come here looking to make new friends, but have met some interesting people nonetheless.
- We haven't experienced any good restaurants in this region, but two were interesting -- Doogers for fried oysters and Pig and Pancake, THE place for breakfast along the Oregon coast.
So, our overall evaluation is that we won't be back to the Pacific Northwest ... possibly ever. However, as long as we can find BUTs, we will look back fondly on our time here. And now on to Chicago before heading home to Merida.
And an addendum on September 30, added since Sarah Palin was selected as McCain's VP choice -- a photo of our host, Gary Bader with his 48th moose kill --
