Adventuring to the South, Day 1...

Have I mentioned that last year when I worked in Cannon Beach, I had a place, and I would spend my weekends cleaning house (lol) and just sleeping.  This year, without a place to have to be, I am free to go wherever.  I realized I was here all summer last year and didn't really see much.  So this summer, every time I have days off, I have gone to explore an area, or more of an area.

I have tried to hit every beach and beach town along the coast.  I now consider Astoria to Tillamook as "my backyard" :)


Anyway, I had a great day adventuring south for my weekend... stopped in Wheeler for a bite to eat at the Tsunami Bar and Grill and invited myself to eat with another gal who had walked in by herself, and we each made a new friend.

Then I stopped at the north end of Rockaway Beach to fly my kites.

I flew the little kid's kite that was brought back to the store broken.  I got a replacement part for it and wanted to see how it flew.  It still wanted to go to the right....not sure why.

Then I actually was able to successfully spin my beginner stunt kite 3 loops to the left, 3 loops to the right and then pull it back to the high position in the wind window several times!  Whee!!  This is how you hold it down while you are running out the lines if you are by yourself, otherwise it might fly away by itself!...

I then drove into the middle of town to talk to some kite shops about what I might try next, and the one guy said, go onto the beach and watch someone else fly.  So, I got myself an ice cream, and off onto the main strip of the beach I went.

And so I met Darryl.

He has been flying kites since he was 11. These kites are a set from the 1980s that he strung together and put double length tails on. He flies now for PTSD therapy after being a manager of a drug store and being beat up on for 10 minutes by 5 guys until the time lock on the safe was done, to be opened. He let me fly them but I was too leery to try any spins.  Darryl gave me lots of tips about strings, tails, and equipment. Thank you Darryl... my prayers are with you...

So armed with new information, I went back to the kite store and purchased a triple kite!  Yeah, I know, I have it bad right now.



Then it was time to drive further south to the Tillamook Cheese Factory where I got a sandwich to go, and sampled all the cheese and fudge.... "squeaky cheese" is always my favorite...

It was a pretty full day because then I went out to the coast again to check out Oceanside.  Looking over the beach toward the north...

Looking back toward the south across the beach...  It was pretty rocky and people were searching for jaspar and agates...

On to Cape Mears Lighthouse...

 This lighthouse is only 25 feet tall...

And here is a view of the nesting area of the seabirds.  But I took this picture because I am becoming quite familiar with the coastline, and I know that in the distance you can see Oswald State Park, and beyond that, just barely seen, is Tillamook Head...

Found a wide spot to park for the night, and I have plans lined up for tomorrow.


:)