Wet West coast

It rained this morning. So we stayed in. There wasn't anything rushing us. In the end we headed towards town and hoped for dry weather and a bit of sunshine. We had both. First we had late breakfast at the Sea Level bakery. Busy since everybody else needed a place to hang out. We walked a bit more on the beach and then headed back to our hotel - the weather was getting to bad. Eventually it cleared a bit up in the afternoon allowing us to walk to Cannon Beach town, passing the local market on the way and buying some fresh strawberries and plums. Yum.

And then head for town, looking for a place to have dinner. We ended up sitting outside at the shared table doing a bit of small talk with the other people having dinner there - and getting inspired for some seafood dishes. We even had a small shower during our meal but who cares - good food, good drinks and good company. And we also had a fire going in the middle of the table. It was dark when we headed home to our hotel.

Cannon Beach

Yes, it is a giant garlic (half pound)

Dry enough to sit outside and eat

Heading to the Pacific coast

We left early in the morning. Jana took us to the light rail station and we had a chance to say "see you soon" and thanks. Then we headed for King St. Station and our train to Portland - The Amtrak COAST STARLIGHT.

Turned out to be the double decker and we even got seats on the top deck. Plenty of leg room and good window seats so we could enjoy the trip down the coast. Rail travel is not fast in US but it comes with so many entertainment options - like the observation car where you can sit and enjoy 360 panorama views and a on-board live guide that will explain nature, landscape and history as the train moves along. We now know that it only takes 6 trains of 110 grain hopper cars each to fill up a major cargo ship. And a lot of of useful stuff.

Our trip was four hours to Portland which was way too short - we could have spent many hours on that train.

Portland was the usual hazzle of picking up the car, heading out of town and then north towards the coast. We went to Astoria, saw the impressive Astoria Megler bridge across the Columbia river, headed south to Seaside and walked a bit around town getting a little bit concerned that our place - Cannon beach - would be equally "plastic".

Arriving at the Tolovana Inn we realised that it wasn't the case. Right on the beach, nice room and quiet. Just as we wanted it to be. After many busy days we decided to head for dinner at the restaurant next door - Mo's. The menu - sharing seafood, chowder and more seafood. Tomorrow we'll be exploring the coast - we just need the weather to improve a bit. In the meantime we have our own king size bed and a TV-set. Let's just relax.

Staying at Jana's - Malene got to sleep in her old bed

Jana and Malene - Malene with her old exchange student application 

Sooo much space. Love this train

Beautiful station in Portland

Our new car for the next week

Cannon Beach - beautiful also when it's grey and misty outside

Gotta try the clam chowder

And seafood when you're at the coast

Liqourice pipe from Denmark