Knapen's visit Oregon

What a fun surprise to get an email form Anne Marie, JW's mom, to let me know that they were visiting Oregon. They live in the Bay Area, in San Jose, and Geert had some work in Portland and they were able to take the afternoon to meet up. So Thursday afternoon Teagan and I took them to the beach. We had fun visiting, even though it was a little windy.

Teagan pointing at the ocean.

Elisabeth and Teagan

Helena, Elisabeth, me and Teagan all sporting our JW House sweatshirts. We need to get one small enough for Teagan still.

Teagan checking out what is left of the Peter Iredale.

Elisabeth, Helena, and Alexander at the view point lookout at the Jetty.

The Knapen Family.

Anne Marie, Geert, Helena, Alexander, and Elisabeth, and I know JW was there too looking down on us!

Teagan going down the stairs carefully.

Two Ships Passing

We enjoy going down to the Port Docks in Astoria. I find peace in going down there like I used to do with my dad when I was little. The Columbia River is approximately 4 1/2 miles across and we can see across to our neighbor, Washington. James and I went down to the docks to talk and relax and while we were there we saw two ships pass by going the opposite direction. The river can be a busy place with ships, boats and birds coming and going about.

Here comes the first ship that says, "China Shipping" going out to sea.

Teagan noticed the second ship going up river.

The two creep closer together...

...and closer!

Ohhhh!
(I am such my father's daughter, for those that know him you know.)

The Meglar Bridge is in the background that connects Astoria, Oregon to Washington State.

Teagan and I both pointing at the ships.

They made it pass each other!
This ship says,"Lauritzen Bulkers" on the side of it.

Don't worry I've got him!
I know my mom is freaking out, "He's too close to the edge!"

Teagan and I sitting on the edge of the docks.

Male Bonding

Yummy, Bananas!

Kiss!

Looking....

Big cranes!

This crane is on a barge on the Columbia River down at the Port Docks in Astoria. It was transferring material onto another barge, this crane was moving anchors. We watched the men work and organize this for about an hour. I'd imagine it is very dangerous, not to mention doing it is the rain and wet surfaces.

Another barge and boat helping out. James thought the equipment was for dredging the rivers.

We Made It Across!

Today was the day, Sunday the 11th, that I did the Great Columbia Crossing. Over 3,000 people participated! I was joined by my high school friend, Kelli, and our friend Bonnie. It was freezing! We were told to catch the bus no later than 7:00am to go over to Washington, which we did. It was the first bus that left Astoria, and it dropped us off at Dismal Nitch Rest Area, in Washington. Below is a picture of me in front of the sign, shivering. It was still dark out that you can only see my outline. Kelli checked the current temperature and it said it was 42 degrees but felt like 38! Yes, I was the only person wearing a tank top, and Capri jogging pants with no coat! Next year I'll know better! I have to say it was fun, and always much more fun with a group of your friends. It was great to have Bonnie and Kelli as support, and we supported each other. There was a 2 hour time limit to do the race, and I am happy to report that we did it in 1hr 20 minutes! It was a total of 6.2 miles.

Brrrrr!

It was a beautiful sunrise!
Here we are. I stole Bonnie's coat for a while.
Kelli, me, and Bonnie.

This clown was so strange. He was disgruntled, walking around smoking and leaving his iced (why, I don't know) drink cup in a spot other than the garbage.

In the distance you can see the bridge that is crossing to Astoria, Oregon!

We are off!
You can see the runners in front leading the way.

Bonnie and Kelli.
"You Go Girls!"

Here is a directional sign.

Mental note: Turn left and go across the bridge!

We are on the bridge, starting across the 4.1 mile journey to Astoria.

No we are not walking the wrong direction, we are just keeping the pace, just backwards.

Just note I'm the only one in a tank top and Capri's.

Kelli and I in front of the "Welcome to Oregon" sign.

Yay, Go Girls!

Happy that the sun did came out, so that I could warm up!

Here I am, number 3032!

Looking South to Astoria, and seeing the steep incline that rises 200ft!

Made it to the top!

I like how the sun in shinning down on the structure.

Up we go!

You can see Kelli and Bonnie making their way up to the top too!

Yay, the top!

Looking over the side to see the finish line below. You can see how the bridge curves around with people all the way around.

Looking back on what we've done so far.

On the downward curve!

We are so happy, almost there!

Here are the welcoming signs: "Welcome to Clatsop County," and the other one says," Welcome to Astoria".

Welcome to Oregon!Kelli and Bonnie.

Astoria!

Me and Bonnie!

Coffee Girl lunch

Teagan and I met up with Grandma Tapir for lunch at Coffee Girl. Teagan fell asleep in the car, then woke up while we were there.

Teagan asleep in his car seat.

Sheryl's cappuccino, do you see the leaf design?

Someone woke up.

A little grin for Mama.

I love these socks!

We have a few pairs of these socks in different colors. They look like shoes, but have real string for laces, and a big plus is that they actually stay on! (well for the most part, better then most socks, as you moms out there know, you come home with one sock on the baby!)

Hello Grandma Tapir!

Kisses for Buds!

Haha, Mama, your funny!

I am happy now that I have my huge Vanilla Chai!

Look at the cup compared to Teagan!

Wanna try some.....

Teagan loves paper napkins, of course he trys to put them in his mouth, which then they starts to disintegrate!

I am showing Teagan a little boat that is zooming past us. As you may now know, since I talk about it a lot, is that Coffee Girl was an old cannery that sits out on a pier on the Columbia River, in Astoria Oregon. We love to watch the ships that past by, along with the birds, and seal lions.