Seaside Rendezvous

We flew to Portland with our friends to go clamming. It was Muffin's first time on a plane. She was happy and/or sleeping the whole time. Perfect!
We drove to Seaside and ate at a little pizza place.
Our hotel was right off the ocean. This is the view from the balcony.
That night we went clamming. It was Freezing!
Unfortunately, it rained and the wind was howling and it was freezing cold. Oh yes, and our boots got filled with water. Did I mention that it was FREEZING? We got three clams that night and lots of good stories. We actually had a lot of fun.
While our friends slept in the next morning, Mr D. and I went for another walk on the beach. It was (yes) cold, but a gorgeous morning.
We saw several rainbows.
And tried our luck with clams again. We got one! (Yes, just one.)

Later that day after steamers and a shower, we drove up to Astoria for some amazing smoked salmon at Josephson's. We drove out to the south jetty observation tower. You can see the Pacific on one side of the jetty, and the Columbia River in the other. It is breathtaking. Here: the Pacific.


We clammed again that night with no luck with clams, but more luck with rain and hail. Luckily it cleared up and we went to a beach with no light. The setting was perfect: ocean waves lapping, amazing stars in the sky, and even slightly warmer without the wind. It was wonderful!

The next morning, we ate our hearty 4 clam catch for breakfast while it hailed outside. Enough to coat the ground like snow. This is us on the beachfront "promenade." This us saying goodbye to Seaside- hopefully for not too long.

While driving back over the coastal range to Portland, there was a first- class snowstorm. We only feared for our lives a few times. And got to the airport an hour late.

But we did get home okay, and even on our original flights- in time to celebrate my birthday with my parents.