Barrango, a company from South San Francisco, was commissioned to build a carousel the Seaside Mall. It arrived in the Mall in 1990. The animals on the carousel are replicas of classic carousel animals. The original carved animals are from the San Francisco Carousel Museum. Rather than choosing all horses for the two-row carousel, other, menagerie animals were included. There are rabbits, cats, reindeer, ostriches, a pig and a bear, as well as a hippocampus (most think she is a seahorse).

back to index

Twilight Sanctuary is more than 100 protected acres and consists of the Wolf Bay Wetlands and nearby forestland that supports an array of wildlife including a resident pair of bald eagles.

back to index

This wetland Sanctuary was established in 1992, and along with Columbia Land Trust acquisitions in 2009, now totals over 100 acres of old growth forest, tidal wetlands, and shoreline, and stretches nearly a mile along the Columbia River.

back to index

The John Day River, located in Clatsop County, Oregon, is one of two rivers in Oregon named for John Day, a member of William Price Hunt's Astoria overland expedition of 1811 to 1812. The other John Day River is located in eastern Oregon. Lewis and Clark called this lower John Day River "Ke-ke-mar-que Creek", their interpretation of the Indian name for the river. We stopped here to marvel at the floating homes - notice the one with the "garage door" - I guess that's where you park your boat!

back to index

When we were here earlier in the summer we commented that there were no sea lions. I guess the bachelors without a harem hadn't arrived here yet but they sure are here now!

back to index

We returned to Fort Stevens State Park at the mouth of the Columbia because we were told there was fishing going on. On the way in, we got to see these deer grazing and even saw a pair of elk with full headgear (though all I could get was a butt picture!).

back to index

While in La Conner, we got to observe the natives seine fishing. Here at the mouth of the Columbia we got to experience the commercial fishermen purse seine fishing. The operation was similar in that first they laid out the net but this time from the boat and...

back to index

...then began pulling the net back onto the boat creating kind of a purse or container filled with salmon. Once they got it in far enough, they used hand nets to remove the king salmon and put them in the hold. We never did find out how many pounds of fish a boat like this could hold but we did decide this is almost as work-intensive as what the natives did in La Conner.

back to index

The gulls and pelicans were hanging around the boat with the hope of getting their next meal.

back to index

We decided to do a bit of driving on the beach to check in with the fishermen who were casting from the beach.

back to index

We visited with a few of the fishermen and were told that they weren't having much luck yet today but that the tide wouldn't be right until a few hours. We took their word for it but didn't hang around to see what they caught.

back to index

A beautiful day with a gorgeous sunset and...

back to index

...an incredible harvest moon!

back to index

The Youngs River Falls was discovered by members of a hunting party from the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1806. It freefalls for some 65-feet and has been used in three movies one of which was Free Willy 2.

back to index

A huge storm with high winds is predicted for tomorrow so we've decided to hang in here and let it pass. We watched the storm clouds begin to form tonight.

back to index

Tryna worked on a baby quilt during the storm while . .

back to index

...Al painted his carving project.

back to index

The storm took a break around lunchtime so we ran out to get a bite to eat and ended up at the 12th street bridge to see how the crabbing was going. This one was the right size but wrong sex! Only males can be taken while females are thrown back in to reproduce.

back to index

After another downpour reduced itself to showers and then a bit of sun, we got to see this rainbow. Would have been a better photo if I was willing to go out in the rain to get it but I've decided I've become rather wimpy in my old age!

back to index

These storms are really strange. It was cold and pouring and then pretty soon the sky was blue and the sun was so strong we had to put the day shades down. Left to go to lunch and before we got there, it was pouring again! Went to Sunset Beach to check out the waves and they were just roaring in. Beautiful sight!

back to index

Lots of gulls just sitting on the rocks and logs waiting out the storm. This guy didn't move even when I got close!

back to index