Astoria Post Consolidation

Have you even been stuck on a Buoyant Pechanga? That's what our boat, the Carnival Splendor, felt like, especially at first. The decor was very gold accented with hot pink. I wish I'd taken a picture of the light fixture in my cabin. I can't even blame it on the decoration revolution of the 90s because it's a new ship. The actual experience of being there, without responsibility and surrounded by friends on that gigantic ship wasn't horrible, in fact, I was having a great time, but by Tuesday I was feeling quite ripe to set my feet upon the steady crust of dry land. Astoria, OR was our first stop, my first avenue for a vacation wish of stillness made true. When someone says "Astoria" everyone invariably follows that with, "GOONIES WAS FILMED THERE!" I joined in with an enthusiasm that was about 39% authentic. I've never seen it. I just join in because I imagine I would like it if I ever saw the cult classic.

We rushed off the boat. Land! Sweet Motionless Earth! I nearly dropped onto the ground to lend my lips to the gravel, but it's a good thing I didn't, because almost immediately after, it started pouring rain a la Costa Rica. My chap stick would have collected the mud before I could have jumped to my feet. I couldn't even look a few people in the eye; there had been an opportunity to pay more and upgrade to the Caribbean, and some had wanted to take it. Luckily it stopped raining about 5 minutes later, and spirits were lifted.


We traipsed around Astoria all day. It's a charming logging community full of people who were THRILLED beyond belief that our boat docked there. It had EVERYTHING to do with our infection vigor and vim; of this I am absolutely certain. First we hiked up a muddy hill to the Astoria Column and took a bunch of pictures. We made the pilgrimage to marvel at the Goony house that held absolutely no meaning to me, but was fun nonetheless. Yes, on a vacation, even the meaningless can beyond all reason hold meaning. :) I got a phone call from Shauna Lewis on her way home from the American Idol final performance; the update was well appreciated. My taste buds made friends with a Mexican Hot Chocolate. We walked along the water and I got a full 20 minutes to myself before Mike Cunningham yelled out, "Mer, why are you walking all alone and EMO over there?!"


I loved it. Really did.

Photo credit and praises be unto Mike Cunningham of the digitalorange.

We made it back on the boat for a leisurely dinner and dance party before some sleep and porting the next day in Victoria, British Columbia. Yeah yeah you KNOW I'll be talkin about that later!