Free Range Chick Ramble

This is my current favorite commercial:  Free Range Geico Chicken  I wanna be a free range chick.  Wander the countryside, ride the rails. . . .I've always wanted to see a hobo in an open train car. . .no definite destination in mind.  Last week, I had a mini traveling adventure after I dropped Melody off at the airport for her Spring Break trip to Costa Rica.  Prince Eric was stuck at home because of his softball game schedule and Frenchie was off to ski the mountain for a week.  This was "una aventura del solo", sometimes my favorite way to travel.

I wrote a blog post (way back in 2013) about my love, and Prince Eric's dislike, of wandering.   There's something exciting about being free to do whatever you want for a couple of days.  I had no goal, no responsibilities or requirements.  I let the trip happen organically, deciding on the spot whether to turn into a store or park, or which road sign to follow.

I pointed my car first towards IKEA, it's fun to look through occasionally, especially on a weekday morning when it's not extremely crowded.  I was also needing a new fitted bed sheet, which I was able to find there without having to buy a whole bedding set.  Next, hmm, not sure.  Let's wander down the highway.  I saw a sign for the Forestry Museum - yes! I've always wanted to go there but never had much interest from anyone else.  I took the turnoff and headed towards the museum - drat!  They were doing some sort of conference training there.   Okay, moving on . . .zoo?  Nah.  Washington Park Arboretum?  Maybe, nope not feeling it.  Down the hillside, there are some really cool houses here, to downtown Portland.  Yikes, now I remember why I hate driving in Portland, the traffic is horrible.  Powells?  Buffalo Exchange?  I just wasn't in the mood to shop either, I want to downsize not add more to my collection. I continued across the bridge and drove past Voodoo Donuts and felt my trusty mazda nose into the parking lot.  One bavarian cream filled maple bar topped with crushed oreo and frosting later, I was back on the road and headed northwest.  I was in the mood to drive and I had plenty of audio cd books to sustain me.  I vaguely thought I would head for St. Helens, Twilight was partially filmed here and I was hoping to spot Bella's house.  Yep, I just outed myself as a Twilight Fan.  The downside of wandering with no destination?  You're not fully prepared.  I was hoping to see a big sign "Twilight house - this way!"with a big arrow but since I had no directions to follow, it didn't happen.

Ooh- Goodwill!  I love to stop at Goodwill's in other towns.  One purchase later  - a red and white polka dot scarf- I once again was headed north.

 A little down the road I spotted a sign for Sauvie Island - a place I've always wanted to explore.  I crossed the bridge to this agricultural oasis and drove the length of the island until I hit a dead end.  Turned around and continued on.  Not as exciting as I envisioned, but now I can say I've been here.

Another downside to wandering aimlessly, I tend to underestimate how long it will take me to get somewhere and end up too far from home to get back the same day.  I had left it loosey-goosey and hadn't decided whether I was going to make it home tonight or stay somewhere.  Once in Astoria, I followed the signs to the Astoria Column at the top of the town.  I had climbed this tall 164 step column 2-3 times over the years and thought that would be a good way to stretch my legs and burn a few calories.  Omigosh, huff puff wheeze.  My calves were killing me, my lungs were protesting.  I knew I was out of shape, but this was tougher than I thought.  Nice view, now I'm outta here.  Going down the circular staircase was much easier than up.

I was now solidly into the late afternoon and needed to decide on whether to stop somewhere or push on through to home.  I started south again, heading toward the north coast.  I passed Fort Clatsop, the winter camp for Lewis and Clark, then Fort Stevens, home to the Peter Iredale shipwreck on the beach.  I vaguely thought about stopping but chose to go to Seaside and decide when I got there.  It being the start of Spring Break I wasn't sure about the availability or affordability of a beach hotel but I was pleasantly surprised to see lots of vacancies and ended up with an ocean view for a good price.  I walked downtown on the Prom, ate dinner and came back via the beach at sunset.  Swingsets on the beach??!! Awesome idea!  The tide was out far and lots of people were digging clams, building sandcastles and dodging the waves.  I was happy to find whole sand dollars, I hadn't seen an unbroken one on the beach in years.  Perfect day.

Day 2:  I was only a couple hours away from home and was ready to be back.  I still had two more days off after this.  Sigh, if only I could work 3 or 4 days a week all the time, but get paid for 5.  I made the obligatory stop at the Tillamook Jerky Outlet and the Cheese Factory, hit Cape Meares lighthouse and then the last stretch into my county.

Ooh- Goodwill!  Red shoes, resistance is futile.