September at the Coast

Cannon Beach, aaaah. We had such a crazy first half of the year for travel – Sedona, Panama Canal, Australia, East Coast – that we really didn’t go anywhere in July and August. And being retired you’d think we wouldn’t need a vacation, but we do, and this is the place to do it.

It was a nice day when we woke up in the Grove, and we had a leisurely morning of getting ready. We headed out about 10:30 and took the Jewell/Mist cutoff to Astoria, where we had a nice lunch at Fort George and then walked around downtown a little bit. Astoria is closed on Tuesdays pretty much, and feels a little dingy. It didn’t help that it was overcast and cool.

Back to the car and off to Ecola State Park for the Clatsop loop trail, one of my favorite hikes. We do it clockwise, so you climb up a narrow path with many viewpoints overlooking the ocean, which makes it less obvious that we need to stop to catch our breath.  The clouds were completely gone and the ocean and Tilly looked terrific. We only saw about 10 other people on the hike, which was nice. The downhill part of the hike is on a wide dirt road which was so quiet and green. I was sorry when we got to the end of it. Here’s what, though. All along the trail are numbered signposts, and they’re even on the trail map. But I can’t find the text for them anywhere. It’s a mystery!

By the time we got back to town it was late enough that we could check into the hotel. We’d come in May and reserved our room, but apparently it got entered wrong and we’re on the 1^st floor instead of the second. It is ok, and kind of nice to be able to come off our patio onto the lawn, but we prefer the 2^nd floor. We took advantage of our easy access to the beach by going for a walk across Ecola creek, which is only about ½ calf height and a nice temperature. We also walked up to Thayer cottage where we’ll be spending Thanksgiving, and aside from the roof looking like it’s falling apart it looks really nice – also a great location & view.

We hung out in our room for a short time until it was time to head over to Newman’s for dinner. Our legs are very tired from yesterday’s hike at Chehalem Ridge (aka Chicken run) and today’s climb, but we made it to the restaurant and had an enjoyable meal. Standouts were the seared scallop on corn puree and two wines, an Alsatian Riesling and a Coe Cellars sangiovese, which was both delicious and extra special because of its story. Here is the story; about a year ago we were at Mucca restaurant and our waiter was telling us all about how he was trying to make the best Italian-style Sangiovese, and invited us to come taste it. We never did, but last Sunday night after the amazing 45^th Parallel concert of Bolling’s suite for flute and jazz piano we went to a Cena restaurant in Sellwood and guess who was our waiter telling us about his sangiovese? You guessed it, Coe Cellars. And it was very very good! The food was overall lacking a little in seasoning but the dessert, chocolate torte with honey sorbet, was outstanding.

I want to mention here that is is the Tuesday after Labor day and we have not seen anyone without gray hair. It is entirely older folks here.

We walked home on the beach road watching the afterglow of a nice sunset, then happily collapsed into our hotel room where we opened the door and turned on the fireplace. It’s all very good.

I wrote this after dinner and two glasses of wine. I did my best.