Moving Furniture for a Friend at Ocean Park and Long Beach

Our friend Z has changed her house at her Ocean Park property from a fifth-wheel to a manufactured home. She asked if we could come help her move in the heavy furniture; of course we said yes. My current life philosophy is to always say yes to everything that we can, especially for friends or family. Weekly hike with friends: YES. Fika with a friend: YES. Concert in New York with a friend and staying with family: YES. Visit to a State Park in the R-Pod to meet friends: YES. A week in Port Townsend camping in the R-Pod with my parents: YES. Beer with a visiting friend in Seattle (he's lives in Denmark): YES. Wedding reception/dance party for my cousin (I have 23 cousins): YES. An automatic yes instead of a reflexive no has made my life much more fulfilled and joyous. I've been doing the YES for a few years now, and it still requires me to stop and change my first tendency to answer with a no. I'm lazy at heart and I do like staying home, but I've never been sorry when I make the effort to spend time with my friends and family.

The Astoria Bridge over the Columbia River

Outdoor deck coziness.

Time for Wine.

At the Drop Anchor Seafood and Grill in Long Beach, WA.

Caesar Salad with shrimp.

A Bucket of Steamer Clams.

I have been craving steamer clams, and the Drop Anchor Seafood and Grill did not disappoint me. Z chose the restaurant, since she is the most familiar with the local choices. We sat out on her new deck and enjoyed the fire pit table and some nice wine from our trip this past spring. The next morning, Russ and I went out to the beach during the final cleaning before Z got the keys to her place. It was lovely and quiet on a weekday morning; we walked a few miles down the beach and back. We started walking in a fog and watched the low clouds clear away as we stayed on the shore.

Lone gull.

Lone photographer.

Selfie with the sea.

Reflections from past waves.

Flock.

The world meets the Pacific Ocean.

Shadows.

Footprints.

The dunes.

Breakfast time for the birds.

Grasses.

This very long beach is a series of parks.

After we enjoyed the beach, we returned to move furniture. It took most of the day and some more the next morning with additional help. I like the new place, and I expect we will spend more time out there now. Z plans to live out there at least for half the year, instead of at her house in the city.

Lunch at the house.

Dinner in the R-Pod.

Cedar likes his view out the door.

He got carsick and got to ride home on my lap.

A tough day for Cedar.

The Astoria Bridge.

A big bridge for a big river.

It was a nice couple of days. We'll try to get out there again sometime this winter, but it probably won't be until after the holidays. We've got a lot going on through the end of this year. I'm writing this from Port Townsend and hopefully that post won't wait as long as this one.