Another Year creeps by

In this case, I am not referring to the cross stitch pattern designed by Tracy Horner of InkCircles but just the simple phenomenon of having gained another year of age/experience. Notice that I did not claim brilliance, sophistication, or some other similar attribute. I think I am a bit more realistic than that. I also don’t appreciate much of a fuss which may explain my presence on a cruise ship. Actually, I don’t need much of an excuse wanting to be on a cruise ship, but I did make sure that my name did NOT get read in the birthday greeting list that this captain seems to adore adding to his noon update. 

After leaving Seattle last evening, we slowly sailed down the Washington coast, then up the  Columbia River this morning in heavy fog, mist, and rain. After yesterday’s challenges of Immigration, location, and transportation – I was more than pleased to be able to walk down the gangway and follow clear signage toward the Riverwalk and old town Astoria (Oregon). 

The riverwalk, in this case is near the river, next to the trolley tracks, and passes under the Astoria-Megler Bridge which takes HWY 101 across the Columbia River to Washington State.  Apparently it is also the longest continual truss bridge in North America.

and obviously, the mist turned into enough fog and rain that it was impossible to see the far shore.Anyway – it is 2.5 miles from the dock to the Safeway on the eastern end of town. Why? Starbucks for my free birthday coffee. I didn’t see any Oregon thermoses, but thought to ask. Hello? There they were on the left across an isle from the Starbucks. This makes the third one with green this trip.

I stopped at the Columbia Maritime Museum on the way back –

and spent time looking at maps, interesting instruments and ducking hordes of other people (probably also off the ship)

By the time I left the museum, the rain was really coming down and I was starting to feel more than a bit damp. It didn’t stop my from visiting a candy store for a couple of small treats –

and the Maritime Memorial –

Each square lists the person, birth & death year, ship name when relevant and shipping/fishing industry role. May all the blank spaces on the wall never be filled…

I was glad to see the ship come back into view

and even more so to get on board so that I could change clothes and dry out.

Magnets are so useful  …