Picnic with Dino Rossi

(photo by Damian Mulinix of the Chinook Observer)

I will be posting more stories and photos of the event. While you are waiting- please hop over to DAMIAN's PICTURE WINDOW blog for his very beautiful photos and nice commentary.

FinnFest

We are rushing around getting ready for the Dino Rossi event... but wanted to post the first of a number of photos from our weekend.

Aura ran in the Paavo Nurmi 5K at the FinnFest. Brett and I walked the 5K (Brett won a blue ribbon!).

We went to the SandSations sand castle festival in Long Beach too.... and spent the weekend preparing for today's big picnic.

Clamshell Railroad Days

For 42 yrs the narrow gauge railroad ran on the street in front of our house. The Seaview Depot is across the street. (Brett's office is next door).

Clamshell Railroad Days celebrates the history. You can follow along with a driving map. HERE page 1 and HERE page 2.











The Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum is hosting the railroad celebration.

... and of course- funbeach.com has everything you need to know. (photos taken from their site)

The one that didn't get away.

Tony from the Chinook Historical Hatchery- caught a nice Sturgeon.

Stuck on the Youngs Bay Bridge

This is a frequent event. A combination of construction on the bridge, tourist traffic and boats needing the draw part opened. I should have gone around the other way from the office. I wish we knew- turn left or right. On this day I picked the wrong one.

(Youngs Bay Bride is between Warrenton and Astoria)

Naselle Marimba in Astoria

Peace Lutheran Church in Astoria is right near Sunday Market. During their annual picnic- the band plays. We get to listen while touring the market booths. These talented kids from Naselle High School are so much fun to listen to.

In Memory of James Bodell

JAMES BODELL

April 15, 1984 ~ July 14, 2008- James Bodell, 24, of Vancouver, WA, passed away on July 14, 2008. He was born in Salt Lake City, UT to Daniel and Polly Bodell. James was a very kind and honorable man. He was highly involved in his community and political activities. Through his intelligence, education, and actions, he continually encouraged us to serve our country and those in need. After he graduated from WSU Vancouver in 2004, he went on to receive his Law Degree from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia in 2007. He recently began working for the Washington State Republican Party as the Southwest Washington Field Director for Victory 2008. He showed immense courage during his life long battle with Pulmonary Hypertension, and his family and friends are proud of all he has accomplished. James is survived by his father, Daniel Bodell; mother, Polly Bodell; brother, Seth Bodell; sisters, Crystal Hemingway and Jena Bodell; brother in-law, Jeremy Hemingway. A memorial will be held Sat., July 19, 2008, with a viewing at 11:00 a.m. and service at 12:00 p.m., 9728 NE 50th Ave., Vancouver, WA. Those who feel inclined, may donate to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association by visiting http://www.phassociation.org/donate/. If one clicks on One-Time Gift, they have the option to donate "In Memory" of a person.
Published in the Columbian on 07/17/2008

Len and his new car

Len Lindsley of Cathlamet stopped by to show us his new toy. I made sure he brought some Dino Rossi signs to his brother up the road!

Cranky Sue's

Last year I read about a destination crab cake place. I love crab cakes and since it was located in Cannon Beach- I was eager to go for a little drive with Aura last Sunday.

Cranky Sue's has the BEST crab cakes (and calamari). We ordered a little appetizer sampling. The side sauces were really excellent too.

(Top photo credit to the OregonLive blog site)

Fireworks in Ilwaco July 5th

Picking out a good spot to view the Port of Ilwaco fireworks.

Knee Deep in Finns

It is time for the Paavo Nurmi 5K Run/Walk.

The last time I did this- was with Paris in July 2004? Before the Blog started.

This year- Aura will run and I will walk. I am sending in the forms now- we want those t-shirts!

Flora Fauna and Hot Tub

The local deer enjoyed watching the kids take a morning hot tub.

Blowing things up

After returning from the Long Beach fireworks- Brett made sure we fired off our own fireworks.

July Decorations

The local fireworks stand

Brett took the kids to buy fireworks.

Old Fashioned 4th in Ocean Park

The Coast Guard is important to life here at the beach. Parades start with a fly over- and we have a number of boats, bouys and Coast Guard Dignitaries in the parades.

Ocean Park's Old Fashioned Festival is truly small town fun. Kids decorate bikes, families decorate cars, vintage cars, hot rods, political parties march, the local businesses have grandchildren ride along and dogs, dogs and more dogs. AND the AWARD WINNING Sentry Market DRILL TEAM!!

4th of July fun

We are busy with my niece Kimberly - and her friend Rob. They brought the kids... Matt- age 12, McKenzie - age 12 and Brooke- age 8 & Molly the dog.

Stay tuned for photos of the weekend.

few more photos from the event

Don't you just love the banner- hung on a fish rack? (hey, we were at the Port and it was handy!) (The Charter boats were still out that morning- good thing- because everyone is limiting out and usually that rack would be FULL O' FISH!)

The middle photo is PART of the group that worked on bringing this project to Congress and raising the funds for the feasibility study.

We have new preliminary mapping boundaries to share with the public. (part of my job)

(Thank you Merry for sharing these photos.)