Sandsations

Last weekend the peninsula held Sandsations: a sand castle building competition. There were many different skill levels. It's hard to see from some of the pictures but I couldn't believe how many people came. Driving through town was terrible! 

Here are some of the creations: 

It's hard to see but there are little dolls as guards and a little princess up high in a tower. 

This one is called "What's the Next Move?"

The Great Wall of China 

Puppy dog

One side of "How to Train Your Dragon." These guys won a lot of prizes.

Other half of "How to Train Your Dragon." 

Hamburger, shake and fries

This one is supposed to be a fish bar. 

Raccoon (?) on a hippo. 

Bigger hippo

Jack's store

Killer whale circling penguins 

This one was called "Llamas on vacation." 

"Wotter bed."- one of my favorites. I love the baby otter on top of the mama. 

Another part of the fish bar.

My absolute favorite one: "Snoopy in the Sky with Diamonds."

D had to work during this weekend so I hope we're able to go together next year. 

This One is Untitled

Seeing as I'd like to harass someone about updating their blog, I realized that I should probably do the same.

(You know who you are, missy.)

So before I lose my mind over the dogs wrestling- yet again- wherever I am (grr) I guess I'll recap "the latest" around our house. Be prepared that it's not mind blowing, either.

1. I cook... a lot(!)... which is good since I'm, by no means, a chef. I've been trying my hardest to be better at this since I apparently didn't inherit that gene from my mom. It's hard to not continually make the same recipes over and over (because I know I won't fail at them) so I've been venturing out of my comfort zone a bit.

      a.) Additionally... I have a new found love for bell peppers. The way they look in my fridge tickles my heart. Their smell is a-maz-ing and the taste is just as equal. (Insert my parents saying "FINALLY! She tried something new AND liked it!" here.)

2. D has been surfing any and every chance he gets. I think most of our gas goes towards him checking out his surf spots sometimes 4-5 times a day. He has run into a few jellyfish and has come a little too close to a killer whale. Yup... true story.

3. We've been spending a lot of time with our friends. They're a great bunch to hang out with.... can't beat that.

4. We're working on trying to come home in October for a couple weeks. There's a big chance it won't work out the way that we'd like it to but we're crossing our fingers that D can get his time off approved.

5. Pretty soon we'll be fixing up our car, yet again. On the agenda is: figure out if my radiator or radiator hoses need to be replaced. Change the transmission fluid. (Which we cannot do until the radiator thing is figured out.) Check our brake drums. Change the oil and filter. And, finally, buy a manual for our car... because we should have one. We'd appreciate any expert advice in this area as we need to do this as cheaply as possible.

6. Ahh yes I better mention the pups. They've been keeping us entertained by getting into standoffs with the local bucks. Our little Ruca-roo isn't so little anymore. Bogey turned 2(!!!) in July. We finally got them to not sleep on the bed but only when D is home. We're all sleeping better and it wasn't as painful as I expected.

7. I'm now a redhead more than a brunette.

8. Good ol' Fred Meyer's tried to charge me $53.79 for 6 slices of pineapple. It was an error. (Thank goodness)

9. My good friend Shannon came to visit at the beginning of June for about a week. We had fun bopping around Astoria and Portland, gabbing and venting as we went. And walking. Oh the walks we took to the beach were so much fun and a great way for me to get back into running/ walking. (I snapped this pic of Shannon during one of those walks.)

10. D and I have been into a few new bands. You're welcome, itunes.

11. 4th of July was a let down in many ways. But the plus side was I got to legally set off roman candles for the first time. And a bunch of pyros that D works with set off fireworks at the jetty, which really saved the whole day from tanking.

12. My parents are coming out to visit in a few weeks. I'm very excited to see and spend time with them.

More posts and a blog face lift to come.

Why I'm M.I.A.

1. Devin-Birthday-Palooza

Confetti cupcakes...a Wifey specialty.

Party pants

Crazies

2. Date Night(s)

3. Surfing

D on the left

For the record I don't surf. Especially in 50 degree water.

D and his hippy high school friend

4. Friends

Gonna steal this little girl

...and I'll seal her big brother, too.

5. Fishin' and 4-Wheelin' 

Fishing for sturgeon

Caught a flounder

A little to small to keep

Proud fisherman

Learning how to drive a 4-wheeler

Not gonna lie... I really want one.

6. Keeping Up With These Two

Find Yourself a New Frontier

Touristy

D and I have almost lived at our current location for a year yet we haven't really checked out what there is "to do." We don't want to be transferred to a new station and regret not touring some of the sites that we pass everyday. First spot up: the Astoria Column. So, here's a little background:

"The Astoria Column has served for over 80 years as a beacon on the Pacific Northwest Coast. It sits in a wooded area 600 feet above sea level on Coxcomb Hill, Astoria, Oregon’s highest point. Majestic views of the countryside surrounding Astoria are the great Pacific Ocean to the west and the mighty Columbia River to the north. Snow-capped volcano, Mt. Rainier in the Cascade Range rises to the east and Saddle Mountain reaches to the sky on the southern horizon..."

 A COLUMN OF FACTS
  • Patterned after Trajan's Column, Rome, Italy
  • Constructed of: Concrete
  • Depth of foundation: 12 feet
  • Elevation, Coxcomb Hill: 600 feet
  • Height: 125 feet
  • Number of steps: 164
  • Number of cartoons: 12
  • Number of brown figures: 200
  • Length of artwork, unwound: 500+ feet
  • Decoration at top: State seal of Oregon
  • Completed in 1926
  • Dedicated July 22, 1926
  • Original cost: $27,133.96
  • Weather repair: 1936
  • Friends formed: 1988
  • Column restoration: $1 million 1995
  • Plaza restoration & lighting: $2 million 2004

Via

 Detail of the art

Via

In the process of building

Via

This monument can be seen from basically anywhere in Astoria. Although, it doesn't look as big as when you're at the base of the column looking up. (And on top looking down.) 

When I was about 4 years old my parents brought my brother and I up to Astoria while we were in Oregon visiting family. Apparently I've walked up to the top of the column before. Unfortunately the only memory I can recall is me wearing a pink zip-up sweatshirt and looking up at the stairs. 

Once D and I arrived to the base of the column it slipped our minds that we should have considered the weather first. It poured rain and hailed on us, of course. The pictures we captured were sort of depressing at first but as you scroll through them you can really get an idea of how fast, and often, the weather can change here.  (We were at the column for 30 minutes tops)

View from base of column

D looking like he knows what he's talking about.

Before we came up to this hill I had no idea this river existed. (South of column) I'm guessing it's Young's River.

View of the stairs we climbed. I admit that I had to stop a few times to catch my breath.

Why I don't let D have the camera the whole time. Half of the pictures he takes turn out like this. 

(It was freeeeezing hence the double jacket action)

At the top of the column watching the rain pour over the Astoria bridge. (Looking north)

"Hey our car!" -D

Young's River (looking south)

The rain clouds are moving quickly. (Astoria)

Young's River- again.

"Let me show you where we live." -D

Astoria Column

I have no idea what D is trying to do here.

Sun peaking out over Astoria

D showing off for a German tourist couple.

"Quick! The camera is dying! Do something amazing!" -D

My favorite picture of the day! Land on the right is Washington. The land sitting on the horizon (right, center) is where our home is.

Looking at Washington from Oregon (Northeast)

Topped off our touristy day by treating ourselves to some Urban Cafe for lunch. D is a big fan of their strawberry lemonade.