Today the weather did its best to dampen spirits, but we prevailed! Good day despite the rain and hail and chill. Plus, good soggy rain photos get a few laughs, so there’s a couple more points for me.
Astoria, Oregon is the location where the movie The Goonies was filmed. If you didn’t see the Goonies, or don’t remember it, then trust me: you’d love it. A story of a gang of boys who go looking for buried treasure and end up on a heck of an adventure. We found the building that was the jailhouse in the movie. Scenes from yesterday’s post – Haystack Rock and the boardwalk at sunset – were also in the movie. I had been hopping with excitement all day Sunday, waiting for the chance to see “Mikey’s house” the unforgettable house in the movie.
The owner of the property graciously invites visitors, and has signs directing tourists right to the spot, including the best places to park.
As we walked up the gravel drive to the house, M and I were stunned to see a prominent, sparkling new flag flying smack in the middle of the porch, clearly making a political statement, and one that was deeply offensive to us. The “NOBAMA” sticker on the car next to the house will give a sense of the political bent. We stood silent, making faces of disbelief and dismay, for a full five minutes before we could move. All my joy and excited anticipation was demolished, and I forced myself to take a couple photos once M suggested editing the flag out. You can use your imagination and cover the flag in something that gives you bouncing childlike happiness…to make up for what I lost first thing this morning.
We ate fresher-than-fresh oysters for lunch, and learned about multiple Indian tribes as we drove through a lot of Indian country and past reservations. It rained and rained and got colder and rained some more. We saw sunbeams a couple of times. Finally we stopped in Forks, Washington for the night.
Conscious Engagement 
Good photos despite the rain, especially the two sea stack pics and the beautiful sunset
Thanks! I think it’s just wonderful how the camera is able to hide the rain in most shots. They are darker, but in most of the photos you can’t tell it’s raining!
The sea stacks were lovely at Ruby Beach. A woman at a U.S. Forest Service Interpretive Center gave us the tip, otherwise we would not have known to stop. I’m so glad we talked to her!
Gosh, beautiful sites Crystal. Alas, I don’t know that movie – though I’ve heard my girls talk about it often. Pity about the redneck politics! Love the tree! xoxo
Pity indeed. I am still sorting out what I should think about it. You know, we were so impacted that we drove about 10 miles back to Portland before we realized what we were doing, and had to turn around. M finally realized we were giving the flag-owner the power s/he wants, by reacting so strongly, so we talked about other things and got our brains cleared up.
I am crazy about so many things, and trees make the list! We passed many signs for World’s Largest tree-of-some-kind, that I let go because it was getting late and dark. Trees feed something in me. Did you Tara has been accepted into the College of Forestry at Oregon State University? You know what they say, the apple doesn’t fall far…
In spite of the weather, I’m sure you had a very nice day!!!!!
It was a super day, Rosa. My friend and I agreed that it’s the difficulties of a trip that often end up being the story told afterward. We will never forget the rainforest hike to the world’s largest Sitka Spruce in the pouring rain and getting battered by hail, and us without the proper protective gear. It was pretty funny.
Loved Goonies, love oysters, eat them at least once a week and love your photographs. A good friend of mine leaves for a business trip to your neck of the woods today. thanks to your blog posts, i was able to tell her she’d see flowers blooming and green grass. she is looking forward to it. xo LMA
/claps her hands in delight!/ That’s a wonderful story about having some inside information for your friend! You eat oysters once a week?! If I had access to them this fresh and this well-prepared, I would eat them once a week too. What mouth-watering deliciousness.
And we so appreciate the sacrifices. 🙂 M looks waterlogged. Mother nature never disappoints does she? You did a good job on the flag. Hope the rest of your trip will be a bit drier.
I am happy to sacrifice for you, Marlene. (But of course you know I consider it no sacrifice at all) M was asking about the blog: “So, you have an International Following?” I said “Well, I wouldn’t describe it in that way. We’re like a group of friends who all live in different places. Some of them are complaining about the heat: I know those are my blogger friends in New Zealand and Australia. My group includes bloggers in Canada, Denmark, England, Ghana, France and Spain, but it’s not really an ‘International Blog.’ ha ha” I love how the world has become so small for me.
M was totally waterlogged yesterday. Two things make it ok: He apparently has a shoe fetish and has decided this is justification for buying new shoes, and second, he’s from Boston and is happy with the rain because it’s not snow!
I’m with him on the snow. You don’t have to shovel rain. 🙂
I love the fact that you had a Goonies filled day. That is something I would totally do!
Horsetails are really neat.
Looks like you are having a great time. Keep up the fun having!
I know, I’m like a little kid. Tara and I just watched The Goonies a couple months ago, but now I want to watch it again to see what I can recognize!
I heard they might remake it. The original is so perfect!
Oh, and thanks for noticing the horsetails. I always loved those so much as a kid. I guess seeing them now takes me back. They are an interesting plant and were fun to photograph.
Beautiful images! And I lovethe story, thugh sad to hear about the flag (hope it comes down for the upcoming activites), I am going to these sites soon for the Goonies anniversary weekend.
I got the impression that the flag was new. As more people see it, I wouldn’t be surprised if there is pressure on the owners to take it down for the upcoming events. I’m all for displaying flags on your own property, but when you ask people to come to look at your home, and *then* place the flags, it’s less appropriate.
I know you will have fun at the Goonies anniversary weekend! What a great idea for a trip. 🙂
good pictures – moody!
THank you Andrew. I love the two at the top especially. Dark and melancholy.
Moody, as Andrew says. Let me adjust that to muddy and moody. So much mud.
Great photos, Crystal. Touch one of those ancient trees for me, please.
Done and Done! I got right up close and personal with the spruce. I am often tempted to reach out and touch trees. Their lives can leave me in awe.
Those treea are awesome in the true meaning.
Sorry about the Goonies house leaning so far to the right. 🙂 But thanks for the sacrifices. (grin) –Curt