July 2018, Washington and Oregon, Day 4

We departed from Lake Quinault Lodge with empty stomachs because we had to get moving. We weren’t sure where we were going to get breakfast and grumbling tummies and concern mounted when we passed through very little civilization. The first major town we came to was Humptulips, Washington. And that is a funny name for a wide spot in the road, I don’t care who you are! As you might’ve imagined, the city center of Humptulips offered very little in the way of early morning nourishment, unless you wanted something from a bait shop. 

Mile 2982- We finally passed through Hoquiam, OR and they had a coffee shop. The Jitter House was owned by the nicest fella and they had this!

Georgia Peach Co-Cola?!!? What sort of time space continuum is this!?

Mile 3057- I will now refer to Long Beach, Oregon as the Gatlinburg of the Pacific Northwest. It is quite touristy, but a haven for points of interest. Such as the once World’s Largest Frying Pan, The um. World’s Largest Squirting Clam….. and the World’s Largest Pair of Chopsticks! I was as shocked as you when Mr. Bullington thought that driving 30 miles out of the way to see such sites was a dumb idea. His enthusiasm was invisible to the naked eye. 

World's Okayest Largest Frying Pan

“Did anyone ever cook anything on the world’s largest frying pan? If they did, I bet they wore the world’s largest shoes” That is some critical thinking, MaeMae.

World's Largest Squirting Clam, squirts on the hour!

World's Largest Chopsticks!

 I didn’t even know about Marsh’s Free Museum! I use the term museum loosely. It a store that is a study in contrasts. Would you like to buy a souvenir shot glass? Take a left at the stuffed lion, straight past the jackalope and it’ll be right next to the Paint-by-numbers of the nekkid lady. It was a veritable treasure trove of useless tchotchkes and taxidermy. Let me just say that what these people did with a deer backside had me wondering how I could integrate such kitch into my own "grandma chic" style of decor.

Excuse me Mufasa, can you move to the left a skosh? We've got a shoplifter on aisle 12. 

Walrus skull,  seasonal dolls, dog treats. Is there anything this emporium of wonder DOESN'T have?

Hungry Like a Wolf for some magnets!

Whoooo can believe this is a deer bunkus?

Fear the Deer Rear

Marietta Bear last spotted next to the candy dispenser 

Lamb, you are SO extra.

Mile 3063- Mr. Bullington suggested our next stop, The Lewis and Clark  Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment. For you non-history buffs, Cape Disappointment was already named that when Lewis and Clark looked up and realized they’d reached the Pacific Ocean! If they’d had the chance to name it, it’d probably be called Cape Halleluyer, or something of the like. If my kids would’ve had a say, I imagine they would’ve left the name as it was. It was not lost on me that our first installment of "See the Nation by Graduation" began in St. Louis where L & C's Journey of Discovery started and now we've seen where it ended. I'm just glad I reached the endpoint in a minivan and not a burned out pirogue. 

The displays listed the mileage. Lewis and Clark, the original Mileophiles! See the Nation by Starvation.

Toes in the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Hypothermarific! 

Of course he found a hideout

Mile 3075- Our next stop was the cute little town of Astoria, Oregon. Home of Goonies! Unfortunately, the house in the movie isn't open to the public. We (the kids and I) had to settle for seeing a few Goonies movie props in the Oregon Film Museum housed in the old jail. The vignettes of films are arranged in the cells. That part was weird.   Mr. Bullington opted out of this stop and chose to sit in the car and contemplate his choice of life partner. I thought the museum was a little lame, but the kids loved it! 

"Data" wore this

  

Not sure of the plot, but pith helmet and skull on the dash has me intrigued!

Charlotte doing what she does best. "Directing"

The highest point in Astoria is the Astoria Column. It is 125 feet tall and if you want your kids to hate you, you can make them climb to the top via the 164 spiral steps! What a view!  But, then they will like you again when you let them fly little toy planes off the top! 

We bought little Balsam wood gliders to fly off the top. They are biodegradable and everyone does it, so put away your hate mail. 

Mile 3105-We ended our day at Cannon Beach. A cute little beach town on the Oregon Coast. We took a long, cold walk on the beach to Haystack Rock. After dinner, we were Portland bound!

Goonies Never Say Die!