A weekend in Astoria

A week ago now, I was in my car heading to Des Moines. Early the next morning I flew out of Des Moines International Airport to Portland where Byron met me with great anticipation. I was so excited to see him again! After a quick lunch, we were on the road to Astoria.

We went for coffee at Columbia River Roasters and then birded a wetland near the Astoria Airport. The cold wind drove rain into our faces so we turned back and headed home where it was warm (and dry). We dried off and changed into warm clothes then headed out to Fort George Brewery - the best place in town for homemade sausages. Byron hadn't yet been, so it was nice to share the experience with him. It's one of my favorite places in town for dinner and a cold beer. Then we were off to see Keith Anderson in concert at the newly restored and beautiful Liberty Theater in Downtown Astoria. I got to meet one of Byron's friends, which was awesome! The show was excellent! It was a small crowd which made it intimate. He sang all of our favorites and told some funny stories as well.

Keith Anderson and his mates

After the concert we went to the Voodooroom - my favorite bar in town. There I saw a friend of mine I had met during the summer. It was so great to catch up with him!

Byron cooked me breakfast Sunday morning and I made our coffee. We went hiking at Ecola State Park near Cannon Beach. It was cold and snowy but not uncomfortably so. We hiked the trail to Indian Beach but turned back halfway down the trail because it was incredibly muddy and I had left my hiking boots in Missouri since the weather was supposed to be terrible. It was funny anyway...

Looking south from the parking lot - Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock in the misty snow

Tillamook Rock Lighthouse

Byron on the trail, snow blankets the hillside in the background

Baylee giving me the "c'mon, let's go!" look

I spy...

The cowboy boot and the arch

Finally, back at the truck, I stopped to make a snowbird

Next stop was Cannon Beach for some lunch and a stroll on the beach. The sky was beautiful and as usual, so was Haystack Rock. See?

We met a few of Byron's workmates and their wives at the Columbia Theater on Sunday night to see Zach and Miri Make a Porno. It was silly and yielded all a good time. I wish we had been able to spend more time with his friends. Maybe next time...

We drove back to Portland after the movie. The roads were slick through the passes and we encountered elk in the road, which proved exciting. I said, "Deer, deer, deer..." and as we got closer I was like, "Oooh, elk!" Haha. Good thing we didn't nail one. The weather was awful. It was super windy and freeeezing. We got a hotel at the airport for the night and soaked in the hot tub to warm ourselves.

The next morning we said our farewells and I was off to Des Moines. I watched the sunrise over the clouds and Mt. Hood then passed out.

What a fun, spontaneous trip!

TIHA