October 7, 2001
In case you're interested, we added a Budget page to the site.
I finally figured out (or in other words, gathered up enough patience to figure out) how to take an 81/2 inch by 11 inch copy of an award plaque, and enter it here.
This is a picture Barb took on March 12, 2000. Keith Morin, the biologist we were working with trapping coyotes went to a conference and entered the picture in their photography contest. He was kind enough to give Barb credit on the award (tough to read here on the screen). Like I said, it's taken me a while to find the patience to figure out how to get the award and go find the picture. I find it amazing that I've taken over 3800 pictures with this digital camera since I got it in June or July, 1998. Go figure out how much $$ would have been spent using film, making copies and enlargements, etc. I used up all my patience for the day already, so I'll let you figure it out.
Hey! It's raining! First day of rain we've had since we first got to WA back on September 27th. It's going to be nice to be able to catch up on some reading without the guilt of knowing I've got a filthy truck that needs washing, a cable to run and panel to mount for the generator remote control system, a storage box in the truck that needs to have vent holes installed, a cable door installed in the door to the compartment where the power lead from the trailer to the generator lives, a 15 amp plug to install in the back of the truck connected to the generator, hinges on both the truck and trailer doors that need to be dry-lubed, a bike cover that needs grommets installed so I can tie the bikes to the ladder better, photos and listing made of our "stuff" for insurance purposes, and something else that I can't remember right now. How do "normal" people get all their chores done? We're retired and can't get it all done!!
From the road, this little building's window looks recessed, and even from an angle the optical illusion is complete, even though it seems to loose some of its depth here on the screen.
Not sure what the little building is used for, it's no bigger than a kids school bus stop. While I was sitting in the truck, Barby was taking the pictures, and a young fellow came up and told me that it was curious that so many people seemed interested in the little building. I mentioned the optical illusion, he backed up a few paces and amazement came over his face. Apparently he'd lived here so long he'd grown accustomed to it, and never saw it the way we tourists saw it. And then there's the birthday dinner. I had to take a picture of it for Jim and Jackie, because while Barb and I are more "eaters" than "diners," we have friends who revel in great food and pleasant presentations. Those are oysters that were lightly broiled and they were a delicious appetizer.
I don't know if it was the wonderful dill rolls, or the prospect of not having to cook and clean up that brought the smile to Barby's face. The trout's smile was obviously because of her fancy hat.
And then a quick shot of us and our salmon before devouring it. The scattered bits on the table cloth are "Happy Anniversary" and "Happy Birthday" decorations. When we go out to a fancy place like this, we combine events. We were told the flowers were edible, so we ate them!
YES! Ice cream for dessert!! Ask me if I like my ice cream. Barb, of course, was too full to even compete with me so I got the whole thing to myself. The Willapa Bay oyster beds outside the window made for a great view. We enjoyed watching the gulls, crows, and a Great Blue Heron getting their dinner as well, since the tide was going out.
And this is the exterior of that fancy little place. It had been highly recommended by friend Carol and her neighbor and, after enjoying the meal and the staff, we could understand why. The Ark has its own bakery, and the day we made reservations for our dinner we picked up a fresh cinnamon roll and just to stay healthy we got a honey bran muffin as well. Melt in our mouth kind of bakery. Nahcotta is the name of the town, and if we ever come this way again, this will be a repeat visit for us and we're happy to recommend the place to anybody who loves fine food. Nanci Main is one of the owners and was there both when we made our reservation and when we came for dinner. Make reservations at www.arkrestaurant.com or ark@willapabay.org or 360-665-4133. Let them know you heard about the place from us, OK? Those of you who have been following us for a while know that we've never recommended a place before, so this is really special. If I had any of that patience I used up earlier today, I'd figure out how to scan their creative business card. It has a good map on the back of how to find them here on the Long Beach Peninsula in Washington, but with only two roads running North and South, you'd be hard pressed to miss them if you went to Nahcotta..