Circus Mom: November 2013

I have missed writing. Shortly after my last entry back in May, our family computer started to really act up. After a few attempts to straighten it out, I put fixing it on the back burner until I could send it away to a friend who would be able to fix it once and for all. It only took a few days to be revamped and it is now literally good as new. So, I get to spend some quiet time catching up.
Last spring, our tour took us through one of my favorite states, Oregon. We really began to take advantage of opportunities, no matter how brief, to explore the history behind some the towns we covered during our tour.
We started our Beaver state run in Cave Junction where my kids and I enjoyed a visit from their great-Uncle Curtis. Curtis spent some years back in the '90's on Culpepper and before that, Franzen Bros.; I seemed to follow him by only a few years on each show. I enjoyed catching up with Curtis and so did my kids. He taught them how to play the marble game, 9 pots and gave each of us and my nephew, Noah our own set of marbles. :) Curtis had also trained a male Spitz for me. I was eager to be reunited with him and see where his talents lie. Chili's hind leg walk made a nice addition to my act and his natural ability to jump over and though different props was honed by Curtis and is a skill I can incorporate in a variety of ways. Our visit was short but very sweet and we hope it's not another two years before our path crosses with Uncle Curtis'.

Our Uncle Curtis Cainan. Amazing performer and awesome uncle.

With quaint and historical towns like Drain, Riddle, Oakridge and Amity locked happily in my memory, Oregon is one of those states in which I could find myself retiring. Its unmatched natural flower growth and greenery alone are enough to make me think that it would all too easy to adapt to the unique beauty and serenity of northwest small town life. I have no problem keeping an umbrella close at hand. ;)

Heading into Washington state.

After soaking in what I could of the lush emerald splendor and deep roots of Oregon history, we happily crossed into Washington where more family, beach-side towns and some of our favorite shops awaited us. The drive across the bridge into the Evergreen state is a brief moment that I really look forward to. Long Beach qualifies as a 'highlight' town. Appropriately named, the former Tinkerville, has a year round mild climate. Its ecosystem is unique because the Columbia River flows into the Pacific creating its own weather system. The 1,200 population town boasts a well-kept, lengthy and winding boardwalk, which leads to its incredibly beautiful and enormous beach. Along what was once called Rubberneck Road, you won't see the Crystal Bath House, Milton York Candies, soda fountains or livery stables which bustled early in the turn of the 20th century; you will find every tourist's ultimate gift shop, seafood restaurants dotting the lane and my personal favorite Long Beach coffee house and bakery, the Cottage Bakery. With the freshest pastries and a selection so vast, it doesn't take long to see why this place is often crowded with customers who take their time to make a careful selection. I'm certain you wouldn't be disappointed if you made a selection from the vintage baker's case while blindfolded.

Well worth the wait in line to savor this bakery's treats. It was easy to follow the enticing aroma of baked goods...we went there twice. :)

Tootie and I eagerly pounced atop the boardwalk's slats behind unicycling cousins, Noah and Georgia. Their short legs negotiated the peddles easily as the steady boardwalk gave way to a grumbly rumbly paved walkway and then finally to the hardened sandy beach. I was impressed with their unicycling talents and their stamina. After all that peddling, they had plenty of energy to delve knee high into the icy pacific shore. The frigid temperature of the salt water is enough to drain a healthy adult of their energy. But, Noah, Georgia and Toot were all too pumped with excitement to take much notice of the temperature . I kept close watch on their whereabouts and was extra careful to rein them in when they didn't take notice of the tide affecting their bearings and distance from me. They waded and splashed for quite some time and didn't seem to mind their salt watered pants as they all made a mini sand village and hunted for crab claws and shells. I don't recall exactly how long we spent at the beach, only that I'd wished it were longer. Memories made; mission accomplished.
We had decent crowds in Long Beach, and if memory serves me, most of our time in Washington state saw rather full seat wagons. Our route takes us through the Pacific northwest about every two years. Although the mileage between towns can be lengthy and the roads windy and mountainous, I feel it's worth every inch of every mile traveled.