Crabbing and Clam digging

We still had overcast skies this morning but didn't have any more rain. Around 1100 Jim, Scotty and Anne went out on the bay to dig clams and catch crabs. I declined. It was 57 degrees and it sure looked like rain. The owner Al lent his truck and boat and one of the guys, Paul took them out for their adventure.

While they were gone I got the laundry caught up and stayed warm by the fireplace.

They returned around 1400 and boy did they have good luck! The limit for butter clams is 20 apiece and everyone, including Paul got the limit. So tomorrow they have 80 clams to shuck! Paul gave his clams to the diggers.

"Butter clams are found on the entire west coast including Alaska. The shells are up to five inches in length, they are heavy, oval to square-shaped and externally marked with concentric rings. When young, the Butter Clam is yellowish in color and they change to a grayish-white with age.These clams are often eaten raw and they make good steamers, and fantastic chowders."

The trio also came back with 5 crabs (almost 6 inches wide) which were steamed for us. So for dinner we had baby back ribs (bought in case the trip yielded no results), steamed clams, corn on the cob and slaw. There wasn't much discussion during dinner!

After dinner we went for a drive to take pictures. The sun was out and we had seen a spot to return to on the drive here. Jim shot these and again I can only say the views are awesome!

Still looking for whales!

this is why we had to come back, see the center rock with the doorway?

We're settled in for the evening and it's supposed to cool off to 51 tonight. Good sleeping weather!

Tillamook, Oregon

We left Florence around 0945 this morning under cloudy skies. Made a pit stop around 1100 and a lunch stop about an hour later. Just before we arrived it started to sprinkle and by the time we pulled into the campground it was raining. First rain we've seen in a long while.

The Oregon Coast is beautiful. Hilly with trees and gorgeous views around every curve.

There is a big problem with Highway 101! Not enough places to pull over and see the sights

The Pacific Ocean is flat out gorgeous crashing against the shoreline and rocks. My pictures just aren't good enough to show you how pretty it is.

The last stretch of road we traveled on was quite bad. Pot holes and rough spots made driving difficult. We had to clean the refrigerator after we set up. Pickle juice everywhere! We always have something fall over but this trip just about everything was on it's side and the lid on the pickles came off!

Also when we pulled into the campground we managed to scrape a pole and there is damage to the awning covers. Yup, both awnings and the slide topper were involved. Yuck....

After a cup of coffee the four of decided to head out to the Tillamook Cheese factory. It doesn't close until 2000 so we had time to explore indoors while it rained outside. There is a self guided tour and samples of cheese to be had. Ice Cream to buy plus a shop full of all sorts of goodies. Jim got a three pack of cheese.

We left and stopped in at Fern's for dinner. Nothing to write home about but it was cheap enough. We all had burgers and seniors got a discount. Next stop was Fred Meyer for fuel and groceries. $3.01 for diesel with their card.

Still raining but we're warm and dry with the fireplace on. It's 57 degrees outside.