I left my heart in Naselle, WA
Posted on Sunday, October 5th, 2008
Check it out! We woke up early on Thursday morning in Fort Stevens State Park and went mushroom hunting. We found a ton of different mushrooms and Ammie found some new pets! As much as we wanted to throw them on a salad (the mushrooms, not the pets), we had been unable to find someone to identify our harvest. We tossed them out last night because they were getting moldy and we didn’t want them to start popping on their own in the RV.
"You'll either die or think you've seen God" ~ Park Ranger
Ammie found a new friend
We left Fort Stevens and drove to Astoria, Oregon to spend an hour with Josef at the KMUN 91.9 All Kinds of Folk morning radio show. I played a few songs and we chatted it up about our travels and Out of Place. He even threw a couple OOP songs on the radio and said he’s going to try to keep them in rotation! Awesome. After the show, we parked the RV down the street from the station and headed over to Blue Scorcher for some lunch and free WiFi. The food was delicious, but we realized we cannot eat this well for the majority of our trip as it will kill our budget. Both Ammie and I love to sample new restaurants, but Ammie’s also a really good chef, so we can manage in our little kitchen just the same. She really liked this photo she snapped at the restaurant…you’re welcome Dell.
You're Welcome Dell
Thursday evening was spent at the Voodoo Room opening for Johnny Ward, a local blues icon! We got to the club early and we were quickly taken care of with a huge pizza and iced teas. I played a short 30 minute set and the folks that were made me feel like I was playing for a full house.
Gettin' all Voodoo at the Voodoo Room (Astoria, OR)
Really?
We met Michael McCusker, a Vietnam war vet who’s been with KMUN since it’s startup in 1983. Thank you so much Michael for your stories and generosity! Ammie snapped this photo of him next to a handbill that still remains on the wall of the Voodoo Room. Ammie says she’ll vote for you during the next election (she also wants me to put a little “wink”, but that’s no my thang).
McCusker for Mayor!
We met some of the friendliest folks and received some good driving advice from a local named Matt (and the bar) as they knew we were getting a late start to Aberdeen. We were leaving Astoria just as a wind storm was blowing into town. We got on the road at about 9:30 p.m. and realized that we were out of gas just as soon as we were too far to turn back to Astoria. So we checked our map program and drove to Naselle, Washington.
We stopped at the only gas station which happened to be next to the town bar. As I’m filling up, I see a couple of bigger guys eying our RV from the front of the bar. As one of them began to walk over, I couldn’t help but worry a bit as I’m used to panhandling/trouble when people approach me at a gas station late at night in California. But, along came Frank who just wanted to make sure we were filling up okay because he knew the station was closed. Frank is a logger who lives in Naselle and we gave him a CD as a way to thank him for his help. Well, once Frank found out we sing, he quickly talked us into leaving the RV at the gas station to join him and his friends for Thursday night Karaoke. It was unbelievable. We met some of the nicest people and they all went out of their way to make us feel welcome in Naselle. They are truly an honest bunch. Ammie and I were quickly added to the list of singers and Ammie was wailing away the notes of I’m the Only One by Melissa Ethridge (and does a great job at it every time). I have never been into karaoke, and by that I mean I have never been any good at it. It’s just really hard for me to sing without a guitar. Anyway, Ammie was nice enough to join me for a duet of Bohemian Rhapsody so that I wouldn’t be alone whispering into the mic.
Before we left, an older guy built like a bear (but was more like a teddy bear) asked me how driving the RV has been going. I told him it’s been fine, but I’m still worried about the tail swinging out into traffic. He told me the first thing that they’ll tell you when you’re learning to drive a truck is, “don’t use your mirrors, just go!” And, we’re starting to learn the truth in that. We raise our cups to Naselle. Your friendship, stories and advice is forever with us and we highly encourage all of you readers to stop in at Oh Carols if you’re ever in Washington and want to hang with some awesome folks.
The damn fine folks of Naselle, WA
More to come and we can’t wait to share the experiences from our weekend at the Westport Winery! Check back soon….cheers!
I’m jealous, except for the part about filling the motorhome with gas. Sounds like things are going great. Miss you guys.
Ah im so jealous!! im just going to quit school and join you guys, it sounds way more exciting!!I love reading yyour blogs! Sounds like everything is going awesome and i can’t wait to see you guys in DEC (or maybe before ;o!!!) love you!