10/28/2018 Sunday in Oregon

Sunday morning, September 16, we four sisters with two husbands in tow, were up and ready for breakfast.  Beautiful, sunny Sunday morning.  Before packing the van with all the suitcases, we sat out on the find a breakfast spot.  Sure there were lots of places that were chains but we opted for an individual place.  Sis #1 was the one who spotted the place, Whale Bites Cafe.  Freshly made scones, quiches, biscuits and gravy plus many other options were available.  Most important really good coffee.  The chef/owner was from Arkansas which made the biscuits and gravy authentic southern style.  The six of us shared one order along with our individual orders.

The cafe over looked the world's smallest harbor.  It was, also, just across the street from the Pacific Ocean.  Breakfast finished and it was time for a few pictures.   


Sis #4 and I crossed the street and bridge to a nearby overview.  The fishermen were out enjoying the beautiful day.  A salty breeze made a refreshing feel to the morning. 

There appeared to be gold tips on the ripples of the inlet to the harbor.    

 
A group of white seals were resting under the bridge.

One of the folks at the small overlook noted a young humpback was playing just off the point across from us.   And a bit more whale watching.  No flukes this morning, though.  But oh, that beautiful blue ocean.

 The playful, young whale.

This trip was about Sis #2's granduaghter's wedding and a short visit to her home.  Yes, we were going to the newlywed's home one day following her wedding.   it was time to get packed up and head to Salem for the visit.  What a lovely couple with such a welcoming home.  The dining room held two treasures the couple had found while cleaning out the basement.  A gorgeous carved door had been found.  Behind a wall that was removed was the stained glass window.  Can you imagine how excited they were to find these?

A tour of the welcoming bungalow, pour over coffee and visiting filled the next 3 hours.   The bride's dad, our nephew, and his wife joined for the last hour. 

Barrel in shape of Oregon

Old BIL and Bride's step mother

A few snaps of the almost plate sized hydrangeas, aromatic roses, neighborhood kitty and the young couple.

Sis # 2, Nephew #3 and groom

Groom, Bride and Oliver the too friendly guard dog bid us goodbye.

Hugs, kisses, smiles, more hugs, kisses and maybe a tear or two and we are back in the van.  Now we were on our way to Portland for the next part of the trip.  Sis #1 had lived in that area for a few years in the early 1970's.  We were on our way to meet a man in a white SUV with a white bucket on the top.  It was Sis #1's neighbor and his wife from all those years ago we were meeting.  That bucket on the top was spot on to help locate a vehicle in the sea of look alike vehicles at Best Buy. 

Once Sis #1 was dropped off, we headed for the next home for two nights in Washougal, WA.  The drive along and around the Columbia River Valley was stunning.  Trees were beginning to change colors.  Even through the third window the colors were beautiful. 

Draw bridges over Columbia River.

It was late evening when we made it to the house.  A bit of mix up with the keys to enter the house took a bit longer.  We emptied the van, picked our rooms for sleeping and stopped for just a minute to get our bearings.   Checking the kitchen for staples showed this particular location had none.   We decided it would be easiest to just go back to the nearby town, have dinner and pick up what we needed for breakfast.  Nice dinner at a brewery, Starbuck pods for the Kuerig, and back to the house.  It was bedtime.  Again, I did not need to be rocked to sleep.