Sunday September 1, River’s End Campground

The lighthouse at Cape Disappointment

This summer weather continues, it has been another pleasantly warm sunny day with hardly a cloud in the sky. It was an earlier start this morning, Ian left at 8 with the guys on their fishing trip, he was really looking forward to it, The camp has a laundry so I had the washing in by 8 and all dry and folded and back in the van by 10. I do appreciate the convenience, in NZ we are so used to hanging the washing on the line and watching the weather in case it rains, before bringing it in later in the day, folding and then trying to get the creases out of things….out of the drier there is no need for ironing, bliss.

Toni at the Chinook Craft Market

Off with the Mary and Jane and the first stop was a small craft fair just down the road at Chinook. Loved the stand of Toni McCarthy ( www.beadsandthreads.com), her funky jewellery was such fun, with great colour and design…a small piece found its way home with me!! Toni had been a school teacher for years but started full time with her jewellery some years ago and is loving it.

Then it was over the Columbia River to Astoria and the Sunday market which was huge and very busy, everyone out enjoying the sun. Lots of jewellery, none as inspiring as Toni’s though, all sorts of crafts and heaps of fresh vegetables and fruits and flowers lined the streets.

Lunch was at the Wet Dog Café and Brewery which had huge open windows overlooking the river. We had delicious halibut fish tacos with a glass of their beer and enjoyed the atmosphere, everyone is in holiday mode.

A wonderful old sign on the old brewery building.

Back over the river and Mary and Jane became the “tour guides” and took me to Cape Disappointment Park which is at the mouth of the Columbia River. We walked up to the lighthouse and the views were great, the sea was really quite calm today but can imagine what it would be like when a storm hits.

As we were driving back to camp on a back road we saw what we initially thought was a big black dog, but soon realised that it was a black bear on the road. Before I could get my camera it had disappeared into the bushes beside the river. Although they very seldom see bears in this area, it makes you realise that the chances of seeing a bear are always on the cards.

Sadly the guys came back with empty catch bags, evidently there were a lot of boats fishing and they only saw a couple of salmon netted. But Ian still enjoyed the day, then drinks with the campers, and fresh cooked crab for dinner from Mary and Doug, superb…..it is a tough life!!!