August 8, 2012 Day 17, Ocean Shores to Newport, Oregon

This morning we discovered that the weather was still the same as when we went to bed last night, overcast, cool, and crappy.

Speaking with the locals, some in our group learned that Ocean Shores was once the subject of infomercials featuring everyone's favorite Chippe, Erik Estrada.  Ponch promised Ocean Shores beach front property at amazingly low prices.  

The Ponch Sales Pitch Circa 2005.

Sales Literature

Well Ponch's pitch purred the people perfectly.  Soon real estate was booming in Ocean Shores.  The town was forced to spend money on it's infrastructure to support the influx of people.  Unfortunately, those who bought never spent anytime in Ocean Shores before doing so.  They soon learned why the town is often described as cold, wet, and depressing.  This, along with the increased taxes to pay for the increased infrastructure, caused many to simply walk away from their lots. As of May of this year, there were over 100 of Ponch's pitched lots on the foreclosure market. 

Moving on.  We ate breakfast at the hotel and were treated to the sight of deer waiting to be fed by people headed for the beach.   Then it was on the road again.  Susan and Fred left the group to go see family a few hours away, but caught back up with the group as we neared Newport.

As we traveled down Washington into Oregon, the weather improved.  We saw the sun again and it felt good. 

We crossed the Columbia River where it ends at the Pacific Ocean via the Astoria - Megler Bridge.  Then it was onto Newport.

D Q 'S

Crossing the Astoria-Megler Bridge over the Columbia River

This ain't fair to the dogs. 

Terry leading the way.

Some classics.

Bob having s snack, as always.

The battle rages on. 

Tom and Bob seated at the children's table during dinner.

Carolyn and Mike

Waiting to be seated for dinner.

Fred and Susan

Terry, Steve and Sharon

View from our Hotel Room

Another one.

 It was a good day on the road.  The Oregon coast is beautiful and the sun was out most of the day.  Our hotel was beach front with spectacular views. 

Tomorrow it is on to Crescent City, California. 

August 7, 2012 Day 16 Victoria B.C. to Ocean Shores, Washington, via Ferry to Port Angeles

Completing the blog on the road, with the terrible Internet Service at some of the hotels, became a problem.  I decided to wait till we got home to finish it. 

This morning was another wake up call at 4 a.m. kind of morning, as we all needed to be at the Ferry dock at 5 a.m. to deal with customs before we boarded the ferry.

One thing we learned while in Canada is their manner of speaking and phrases.  "For Sure" is used at the end of many sentences during conversation, along with an "Ehh, or Yah."  At the end of our week in Canada, I admit that I found myself saying "Ehh" at the end of sentences and peppering my sentences with "For Sure" as if I was an 80's valley girl living the dream all over again.  But at the Canadians like to say, "No worries, for sure, ehh."

That being said, if you have a chance to travel to British Columbia, whether it is Vancouver Island, Banff, or the Whistler area, do it.  Canada is a beautiful place and the people are fantastic.  

While in Victoria this morning, the weather was sunny and beautiful.  As we crossed the sound towards Washington, the weather turned mostly cruddy with a 20 percent chance of crappiness as we approached Port Angeles, which greeted us with overcast skies and cool temps.

Morning in Victoria Harbor

Serenity Now

Leaving on the Ferry

And on your left, a True House Boat

Face off continues on the High Seas

Susan and Fred being stalked by the Paparazzi

Welcome to Port Angeles, Washington USA

As we departed the ferry at Port Angeles, we once again had to deal with Customs.  Carolyn had her own ordeal with an Immigration and Customs officer when he saw her taking a photo of the exit area.  He took exception to her photography skills and demanded to see the picture she took.  Once he viewed the picture, which was a photo of the sign that stated, " Welcome to Port Angeles," he insisted that she delete it, which she did.  Little did the man know that several others in the group were covertly able to take a picture of the sign that is evidently significant to our Nation's security. 

Papers please and no picture taking of the sign on that building or else!

Once we arrived in Port Angeles, our group lost one member, but gained two additional members.  Terry, accompanied by George, drove Lonnie to the airport in Seattle so she could return home. This was the plan all along.  Thank you Lonnie for joining us on the Canadian portion of our adventure and have a safe flight.

We were joined by John's brothers Bob and Tom, who each rode their motorcycles from Central California to Port Angeles in two days to meet up with us.  Welcome aboard Bob and Tom. It  is going to be fun and entertaining.   

Bob and his latest invention to hold glasses on your nose. Sorta of like the Optigrab in the  movie "The Jerk"

Bob and Tom gassing up.

 Once we left Port Angeles, it was down the Olympic Penusula towards Ocean Shores.  The scenery was once again towering mountains opening up to valley filled with lakes. 

Due to the weather, we needed to stop at one point to add clothing and clean our windshields.  It also gave two of the Ament brothers to participate in a roadside Scavenger Hunt.

Bob, Contestant #1

John, Contestant #2

We stopped for lunch in a town really off the beaten path, Lake Quinault.  We sought a lunch recommendation from the guy working at the Chevron Station.  He was not a lot of help, and in fact, did not appear to be thrilled to see us at all, although we were buying gas from him.  It all worked out despite the lack of advice from the town food critic and we found some chow.  

Sharon, Bob, Susan and Fred.

 We arrived in Ocean Shores late in the afternoon and caught back up with Terry and George.  Bob was thrilled that the bathroom in his hotel was a true man's room, as evidenced by the photo below.  

Bob Multitasking

After dinner at the hotel, some of us went to the local McDonalds for dessert.  Unfortunately, I was presented a chance to go bat crazy again on a McDonald's employee, like I did in South Lake Tahoe a few years ago during our summer motorcycle trip (talk to the witnesses).  However, I am proud to say that the shock therapy and calming music has helped and I kept my composure.  

Well that is it for today.  Tomorrow we head to Newport, Oregon.