Aha, The Lighthouse!! - Two of them

As mentioned previously, some groups drive around in RVs seeking out weather phenomenons, this group searches for lighthouses... (and benches)

The group finally found Cape Disappointment (completed in 1856) and The North Head Lighthouse (completed in 1898).

"Before there were lighthouses on the Peninsula, ships bound for Portland and Astoria navigated their way through the high waves and shifting sandbars, focusing on fluttering white flags and notched trees along the shoreline by day and flickering signal fires by night. These methods were crude at best and, despite heroic efforts, the sea offshore of the Long Beach Peninsula became known as ‘The Graveyard of the Pacific’."

Did You Know:

Cape Disappointment is the oldest functioning lighthouse on the west coast.

In 1788, British fur trader John Meares named the area Cape Disappointment after his inability to locate the river’s mouth.

Look, there's the two Griswolds... of course sitting on a bench!

The group also visited the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, which was a real interesting museum to see. The interpretive center is located at Cape Disappointment State Park, two miles southwest of Ilwaco.

In November of 1805, the U.S. Corps of Volunteers for Northwest Discovery, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, reached the mouth of the mighty Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean at last. "Great joy in camp," Clark wrote in his journal,"we are in View of the Ocian, this great Pacific Octean which we been So long anxious to See."

Today the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center stands high on the cliffs of Cape Disappointment State Park, 200 feet above the pounding Pacific surf. A series of mural-sized "timeline" panels guide visitors through the westward journey of the Lewis and Clark Expedition using sketches, paintings, photographs and the words of Corps members themselves. The center also features short film presentations, a gift shop and a glassed-in observation deck with fabulous views of the river, headlands and sea. Additional displays focus on local maritime and military history.

8/16/11 Dedication to the Dixon Twins.. Kelli & Nick

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you...

We found this for you, Kelli! (We'll have to scrub out "y")

Nick, we're still looking for something for you! :)

Cheers!

Weekend of August 13/14, 2011 - Washington cont.

We celebrated the weekend at a jazz music festival, where you could of course eat... (why else would we be here!) The food is just outstanding up here!

There's Clark! (Mike, enjoying the view)

Afterward the festival we drove to the end of the island where there is a wildlife refuge and a park called Leadbetter Point State Park, which is a Washington state park on the Long Beach Peninsula northwest of Oysterville, Washinton. The park is bounded by Willapa Bay to the north and east and th Pacific Ocean to the west. Oysterville was a very interesting town with a rich history, it was first settled in 1841 by John Douglas, who married a local Chinook (Native American people in the Northwest) woman. It was then established in 1854, and became a hub for oyster farming.

A sign that hangs in the historical Oysterville school tells the story about how all the county records and books were stolen on February 3, 1893. These records were stolen in order to move the county seat from Oysterville to South Bend, Wa. It has since been agreed that the seat would be moved to South Bend.

Oysterville, should definitely be a part of your destination list in the future due to all of the historical buildings - homes, school house, many built prior to 1880. The only unfortunate thing is that many of the buildings have been lost due to the sea and the elements.

Just as we returned to the motor home, Latulippe and Griswold 1 (Pat) had to go and get some clam chowder. The rest of us opted out - we stayed home and rested.

Happy Birthday to you... RV style...

It was Bonnie's birthday (from Los Compadres), so what better way to celebrate then with champagne!

Happy Birthday Bonnie!

Long Beach, Washington cont...

Ahhh, beautiful Long Beach - along the Washington/Oregon Coast line..

The group went on a long walk along the sea side looking for a light house... For all of you readers, you know just how much these folks love light houses. Arriving at the end of the walk, they realized they were on the wrong side of the peninsula.. go figure, they made a wrong turn! They made the best of it and ate at Doogers Seafood. (Remember, if you click on the words in different colors, they will connect you to the websites of these specific places.) Assuming they dined at the Warrenton, Oregon location..

One thing about Mike and Eula, they fall in love with every location they go to and want to immediately buy a home and move there.

Here is a picture of one of the houses they are looking at.. room for two.

The next day, the group headed back to the peninsula on a mission to find the light house..

Look, it's Dorothy, "They're off to see the wizard.."

Just imagine the conversation, "Which way do you think we should go Griswold?" "I'm not sure, do you think they have another Clam chowder/crab cake place down here to the left?"

Mike has found the life he wants to live.. He just loves his "quiet time".

Ahh good times with friends...and leaving Oregon

The Three Amigos!!

Mike Latulippe, Clark I, and Clark II..

We need a name for Latulippe, unfortunately the group cannot be the Three Canadians, nor the Three Mikes', maybe the Three Bench Sitters - 2nd String players (for all you soccer players)

Help me out peoples, what name should we give this group of Bench sitting/ice-cream eaters? ?

Mary Latulippe and Clark Griswold II - Mary is wearing her Gladstone t-shirt, celebrating their 100th Anniversary. They are posed in front of the river that they were staying at in Long Beach.

The road leading to Long Beach - Awesome trees..

Leaving Oregon City - hard haul

Of course Eula Faye and her boyfriend found an outlet to shop at... Eula sends pictures of flowers instead of all the loot they purchased - it is a cool picture though. Too bad the outlets in California do not have beautiful flower arrangements everywhere.

Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Multnomah Falls is a Must!

"A waterfall as magnificent and memorable as any in the country is located just a 30- minute drive outside of Portland. Visiting Multnomah Falls, a 611-foot-tall roaring, awe-inspiring cascade of icy water, lets you experience the power and beauty of nature up close and with ease. From the parking area off of I-84, a 5-minute walk is all that separates you from the exhilarating spray at the base of the falls.

According to Native American lore, Multnomah Falls was created to win the heart of a young princess who wanted a hidden place to bathe. Although you can see the top portion of the falls from the highway, to view both tiers you have to walk to the viewing area located in a carved-out opening in the rock face. Tilting your head up in the narrow rocky confines of the steep cliffs, you get a mind-boggling perspective on the sheer magnitude of the falls."