We took a lot of detours, one of which was the Old Scenic Hwy 101, because there was an accident on Hwy 18, close to the 101 junction. I hightly recommend the trip--beautiful rainforest views, a narrow little road, and sheer drop-offs (which, for some reason, Jerry doesn't like. Apparently, I hug the side of the road when I drive. Whatever. I just like to make sure he's still awake by running over the rumble strips at the edge of the road. In the case of our detour, there were no rumble strips, just a narrow band of soft, squishy moss that you hit just before you plunge to your death over the cliff...)
We also took the 3 Capes Scenic Route, but unfortunately we started in Tillamook, and came back to Hwy 101 considerably south of where we started. Jerry sees this as a navigational failure, since our ultimate destination was Garibaldi (north of Tillamook). I see it as a beautiful drive that took us in a large circle. And since I was driving, we will, going forward, see it MY way.
We've checked in to the Harbor View Motel, a little motel, coincidentally, on the harbor in Garibaldi. The harbor in Garibaldi is very busy. Lots and lots of boats coming in and out of the water. Lots of people dressed in rain gear with rubber boots. Jerry brought his rain gear and rubber boots, too. He'll fit right in. I did make him knock the 'paca poo off of the bottoms of his boots before he put them in the van. The room is clean and homey. It has wi-fi. I'm set. It has a little one-cup coffee maker. Jerry's set.
Tomorrow, Jerry and Erin will brave the frigid waters of Tillamook Bay and the Pacific Ocean for an 8 hour deep reef fishing trip. I will sleep in, read, and just generally have a relaxed and lovely day. Mmmmm....sleeping in....
The charter boat they're taking is literally 300 feet from the front door of our hotel room. Even Jerry, with his dismal sense of direction, should be able to find it in the dark.
He is definitely primed and ready to go fishing. He even convinced me to stop at the Barview Jetty, a little park just north of Garibaldi, so that he could "practice" fishing. Yes, we brought ALL of Jerry's fishing tackle, two poles, and a big, greatly optimistic styrofoam cooler, so that he can store all the fish he plans to catch.
Since I do NOT fish, I thought I'd still try to be a supportive wife by at least going out with him and reading while he fished. We parked, and Jerry scampered out of the van to throw his line in. Excuse me, CAST. I've been duly corrected. I noticed that the area we were in had large rocks that went from the parking lot to the water (I believe the technical term for this type of terrace/barrier is "rip-rap"). I saw that Jerry made it down with no problems. I figured I'd do the same.
What I forgot to take into account was that I was wearing my super-cute, super-comfy, brown leather, platform B.O.C. clogs. With 3-inch heels. I was also carrying my precious Kindle, and fighting off a way-too-curious yellowjacket. I made it halfway down the rocks. Jerry had already thro--CASTED, and his attention was completely absorbed on the end of his line.
You know that sinking feeling of impending doom that you get when you realize (too late) that your plan is fatally flawed, and a trip to the emergency room may be in your immediate future? Yeah, that one. I had a fleeting moment to recognize that feeling before my ankle twisted and gravity took over. As we're all aware, gravity is NOT my friend. My right knee hit a particularly pointy rock, and the rest of me just crumpled in a blobby sort of heap.
I did manage to save my Kindle, and I think the yellowjacket was so disgusted with my embarrassing display of clumsiness that he went to find more coordinated, and ultimately more challenging, prey.
And what did Jerry do? NOTHING. He didn't even know I fell until I (very loudly) pointed it out to him.
"Huh?" was his response.
"I fell! Didn't you hear me, or somehow sense, with that special hyper-awareness that only happens between true soulmates, that your beloved was in distress??" It's possible that I screeched that question.
"You what? Just a second....I think I have a bite," he answered absentmindedly.
"I COULD HAVE DIED!!!" I calmly observed. Or not.
When he finally turned around, it was to find me sprawled on the rocks like a lumpy bag of dirty laundry. He was surprised that I was still sitting there, but I figured that if this is where my nemesis, Gravity, put me, I'd better stay there. It's safer for everyone that way.
Jerry's ahead on points so far, but the weekend is young.
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