26 May 2009

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!

10 comments:

[AnnieR] said...

Oh, that picture of you and Jeff is all sorts of RAD. I'd hang that in my house. Yes. Yes, I would.

[AnnieR] said...

I can't stop looking at that photo! STOP BEING SO COOL, PHOTO!

dre said...

I made the banner?!?! ME???!?! Andrea Filio? Wow, what a treat. =)

Meredith said...

Annie, the picture IS rad and comes to us live from the workings and style of Mike Cunningham.

And Dre, of course you made it onto the banner. No one sports an orange jacket like you do.

Meredith said...

doesn't it look like kiele is really flying away? mary poppins!

Jim Eaton said...

Looks like a scene from a Beatle movie.

[AnnieR] said...

Well, I don't know this Mike Cunningham but he's got my vote.
And ditto to what Jim Eaton said.

mcampbell said...

Welcome home! Looks super fun. And the picture of you and Jeff IS excessively cute. :)

Margaret said...

Glad you had fun and so glad you are back.
Not so glad you didn't stop in Seattle.
Hoping you still got to use your new swimsuit.

Aubrey Messick said...

i LOVE that pic. merz...what a fun trip. i can't wait to sit down and hear more about it. xoxo!