Oceanside Brew

Seaside was where I was headed, and it  isn’t far from Long Beach, so I decided to ride north to the end of the road. The road sort of ends about 16 miles north of Long Beach in the Historic little berg of Oysterville.

The entire town of Oysterville is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, so one must be careful what one touches, cuz you wouldn’t want to break it.

Actually the road goes a bit further and officially ends or starts in the Ledbetter point State Park. I didn’t venture into the State Park as picnicking and camping in the rain were not on the agenda for today.

Before pointing Ohms LSD head lamp, and spots south for the start of the run down the coast, we spun around twice in the center of town. Once just to see if I could do it and the second time just to show off.

It was a gray wet day as we rounded through Cape Disappointment State Park heading towards the first of the toll less Oregon bridges that I would cross in the next few days. It was so dark and wet that Ohms turned on the dash lights, so as to cheer things up a bit.

Up and over the Astoria Megler bridge. At the remains of the toll plaza I pulled a dollar from my pocket and tossed it to the wind.

At Fort Clatsop I could almost see Sacajawea statue smiling through the mist

Sacajawea Saute at Fort Clatsop

Since there was plenty of time to explore, I rode south to Cannon Beach and saw the first of many Elk that were no where near a elk road sign, but were happily wandering along a creek. 

No Elk Here

After a bite at a pretty good little roadside stop it was time to head into Seaside, and if my room wasn’t ready I could at least park and get out of this rain gear.

My room wasn’t ready, it was only around 2:30,anyway. The two very nice ladies as the front desk welcomed me, offered me hot beverages, wi-fi and a place to hang out if that’s what I wanted to do. 

They were not open to letting Ohms park in the lobby but said she could stay anywhere in the car park I liked. I liked her up by the front door so that’s where I left her and went inside to get out of my rain gear, change into my walking shoes, and have a hot beverage.

Not since the Magnificent Amenity Free Mansfield hotel in Manhattan had I seen anything like it. I didn’t even realize that there could be anything  just as horrible as a Nescafe Espresso machine, but there it was.

This Can't Be Good

A cup of tea would be nice and since bags, and cups were right there I thought why not give it a try.  I placed the cup under the machine’s spigot, and depressed the button marked “Hot Water”
 A tremendous whirring and churning sound came from the machine. It was as if it was sizing me up. Sensing just how sophisticated of a coffee drinker I was, so that later when I needed a cup it could taint me with its instant brew. 
This machine had no idea that just right outside the door safety stored on Ohms, was about a  ½ pound of Kaladi Trieste and a jet boil coffee press. It had no idea that I wouldn’t even come near it for its coffee, or its powdered imitation cream., or flavored coffee mate. I didn't even need it's little plastic packs of half & half, , that were stashed right next to this monstrosity. 

I held firm on the hot water button and soon a clear steamy liquid that was most certainly hot water spewed from the spigot, I held the button until my cup was full. Releasing it the water stopped and the machine knew it had seen the last of me.

Seaside Oregon is the town I should have spent two days, instead of Astoria. Seaside is the quintessential beach town, and clings to its "Playland "At The Beach feel with carousals and midway type carnival attractions, while perched right on the shore line are large hotel/condo developments.

 These large resorts are perfectly placed to protect the historic parts of town from sea level rise.Good planing always pays off. 

My hotel the River Inn At Seaside is the best hotel of the trip. The pool is warm and saline. The room is spacious, with more pillows and degrees of firmness  than I could use. I have a couch very similar to  the one on the ship complete with couch pillows that have been placed with the points up.The room is spotlessly clean, the shower is excellent, and I even have a yoga mat in the closet. Take that Magnificent  Amenity Free Mansfield.