So, the kids and I went to Astoria on our little vacation... I can't even tell you how much I LOVE visiting my hometown. In sharp contrast to how much I wanted to leave when I was a highschool senior, now Astoria brings me comfort and calm - a sense of home and pride in all it has become. I love the river, the waterfront, the ebbing and flowing of the tide in Young's Bay... the wetlands, the bridges and the ships all revive me and nourish parts of me that are often neglected. I love Astoria. 
I almost always, on a trip home, entertain romantic notions of moving back... wouldn't it be great to live close to Mom and Dad? To have lunch with Mom once a week at the Wet Dog Cafe, be able to pick out a house with a river view, frequent the local galleries and be able to get a Cinnamon Crispy at the Danish Maid whenever I wanted to... ah - it sounds sublime. And then, I remember the rain. And the fact that their school system is ridiculous, with kids being bussed all over town depending on their grade. And the fact that you're forever driving into Portland... not to mention the whole nightmare that moving is... and making the kids change from the only home they've really known... and that I'd have to leave the PERFECT job arrangement... it's just not gonna happen. But I can still daydream about it - idyllic as it may be.
Okay - so I got a little off track there. The real reason for this post is to talk about my Dad. My Dad, who in his retirement, has embraced his community like never before. Who has trained to be a tour guide at the Astoria Maritime Museum, and is now a full fledged Astoria Riverfront Trolley conductor and driver... We all got to go ride a VERY full trolley during our visit... it was literally standing room only as we rode along the riverfront, listening to Dad give his little spiel about the history of the area. I was extremely proud as I saw my Dad thriving in the town he's called home with my Mom for over 40 years. Retirement suits them extremely well and I LOVE seeing them so happy and fulfilled as they travel in their new RV, volunteer all over town and delve into projects at home with gusto.
Isn't he just he cutest thing with his little trolley uniform, riding Old 300?
Love ya, Dad!
I almost always, on a trip home, entertain romantic notions of moving back... wouldn't it be great to live close to Mom and Dad? To have lunch with Mom once a week at the Wet Dog Cafe, be able to pick out a house with a river view, frequent the local galleries and be able to get a Cinnamon Crispy at the Danish Maid whenever I wanted to... ah - it sounds sublime. And then, I remember the rain. And the fact that their school system is ridiculous, with kids being bussed all over town depending on their grade. And the fact that you're forever driving into Portland... not to mention the whole nightmare that moving is... and making the kids change from the only home they've really known... and that I'd have to leave the PERFECT job arrangement... it's just not gonna happen. But I can still daydream about it - idyllic as it may be.
Okay - so I got a little off track there. The real reason for this post is to talk about my Dad. My Dad, who in his retirement, has embraced his community like never before. Who has trained to be a tour guide at the Astoria Maritime Museum, and is now a full fledged Astoria Riverfront Trolley conductor and driver... We all got to go ride a VERY full trolley during our visit... it was literally standing room only as we rode along the riverfront, listening to Dad give his little spiel about the history of the area. I was extremely proud as I saw my Dad thriving in the town he's called home with my Mom for over 40 years. Retirement suits them extremely well and I LOVE seeing them so happy and fulfilled as they travel in their new RV, volunteer all over town and delve into projects at home with gusto.
Isn't he just he cutest thing with his little trolley uniform, riding Old 300?
Love ya, Dad!
Evidentally we aren't the only ones who love Astoria. Check out this blog from Rebecca Web at KINK FM.
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I've wanted to go to Astoria ever since The Goonies! What a fun story about your dad!
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