Friday, May 19, 2006

We slept in a little today because it was overcast. We went down to breakfast and then left for Newport again. It was lightly sprinkling. We went to Wal-Mart to have CD's made from my pictures. Then we went to an antique place and shopped for awhile. Becky bought all three of us socks with lighthouses on (no they were not antique socks). Drove back down to the Old Harbor District and took more pictures. We ate at Port Dock One again. We ate inside today because of the cooler weather 49-51 deg. Becky had clam chowder and Mom and I had Three Berry Cobbler - to die for - definitely not on program. I'm not sorry to say that I've corrupted my sister, she ordered one too.

I've learned two new things out here - "Beware of Sneaker Waves" - always face the water because you never know when one wave will suddenly sneak in a lot higher than the last ones and you're going to get very wet. The other one we saw as we drove along Hwy. 101 - "Entering Tsunami Hazard Area." Kind of makes you stop and think. In our motel room, along with the usual fire escape notices they have a Tsunami Warning posted, which basically said, "If you feel the ground move, leave the building immediately. Walk down the driveway and across the highway as far up as you can walk - do not take your car. If there is an earthquake in Alaska warnings will be given and you generally have a 4 hour window to move to a safer location."

We got back to the hotel around 4:00, listened to a book on tape that Becky brought along, played Cribbage (beat Mom soundly) and read. We went for a walk around 6:30. Mom walked part way and then sat down. Becky & I walked to our usual place. There were people out fishing tonight for the first time. We couldn't walk out on the beach because the tide was in. We figure that's why the fishermen were out at this time too.

We came back and found Mom had moved closer to the hotel. She saw a grey whale 3 times along the shore. She saw it blow and most of the body, it was so close. Becky & I looked farther down the coast and we finally saw the whale blow and a little of its' back several times. After that we always looked for a postcard of a grey whale since we couldn't get a picture of it, but no luck.

Our hotel has no gift shop but their 'sister' hotel next door, the Fireside, does. We walked over there and I bought Alex a T-shirt from there. Becky bought Mom a sand dollar, you can't find whole ones on the beach. We were sitting on the balcony with beer/wine & popcorn for the last time at Overleaf Lodge. Beautiful sunsets on the ocean.