God blessed us with a totally beautiful day in September. We drove out to Astoria, Oregon, at the mouth of the Columbia River and visited the Astoria Column. Painted on the Column is a mural spiraling from the bottom to an observation deck, depicting the early history of Oregon.
One of my favorite things to do at the beach is fly kites. Each year Long Beach (WA) holds an international kite festival, and I figured I would have my own with Anne. She confessed that she hadn't flown kites since her children (now grown) were kids. 
On Tuesday, Anne and I headed up to Seattle. We shared Starbucks coffee at the top of the Space Needle and took in a great view of the city.
We also took in a baseball game Tuesday night at Safeco Field. The last-place Mariners were hosting the Texas Rangers in a short two-night stand. On Wednesday, there was a terrific afternoon game that the Mariners won by one run, but when we attended on Tuesday, the Mariners stunk. Not only did they lose, they lost miserably...a terrible example of baseball for a Kiwi who had never been to a game before. :(
We arrived at the ballpark before the game to watch batting practice and to tour the park. As empty as the stands are here before the game, they were that empty during the ninth inning. The big difference is that it was dark during the ninth.
I'm not sure that Anne will start watching baseball when she returns to New Zealand, but she got a free Ichiro t-shirt out of this event.
While at the beach, I couldn't resist the opportunity to have Anne drive on the "wrong" side of the road. The story I read says that originally folks drove on the left side of the road as a carry-over from the days when right-handed knights wore their swords on their left. They rode on the left and pulled their swords out with their right hands to defend themselves when approached by a foe. Apparently the drivers in the USA took the right side of the road in rebellion!
I had to ask Anne if she felt rebellious driving on the right and she said, "No. Mostly scared."
Whenever driving from Astoria to Long Beach, I take a look over my shoulder to see who's docked at the port. This day Atlantis was there and after a little smooth talking and lots of groveling, I managed to get the captain's permission to board with Anne.
Whenever driving from Astoria to Long Beach, I take a look over my shoulder to see who's docked at the port. This day Atlantis was there and after a little smooth talking and lots of groveling, I managed to get the captain's permission to board with Anne.Last time I was on board was in 2004 when I participated in the SEAS program and dove on the East Pacific Rise. I was so excited to have a friend on board to see the ship and the submersible, Alvin. Anton, one of the Alvin pilot-in-training, was kind enough to give a wonderful tour!
On Tuesday, Anne and I headed up to Seattle. We shared Starbucks coffee at the top of the Space Needle and took in a great view of the city.
We also took in a baseball game Tuesday night at Safeco Field. The last-place Mariners were hosting the Texas Rangers in a short two-night stand. On Wednesday, there was a terrific afternoon game that the Mariners won by one run, but when we attended on Tuesday, the Mariners stunk. Not only did they lose, they lost miserably...a terrible example of baseball for a Kiwi who had never been to a game before. :(
We arrived at the ballpark before the game to watch batting practice and to tour the park. As empty as the stands are here before the game, they were that empty during the ninth inning. The big difference is that it was dark during the ninth.
I'm not sure that Anne will start watching baseball when she returns to New Zealand, but she got a free Ichiro t-shirt out of this event.On Wednesday, we drove up to the Canadian border and I delivered Anne to her friends just south of the border. Thus endeth our visit. Perhaps I should go to New Zealand next and see her side of the Pacific.
1 comment:
Looks as if we really enjoyed our time together doesn't it! And perhaps you will have to come and see the view from the other side of the Pacific!
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