CLARK'S TREE~Long Beach-WA

May 8th: We were drinking our coffee, and listening to some tunes … and talking about driving down the road a bit to put diesel in Betsy's tank so I could drive to Rosburg and back, Thursday morning; while going that way I asked Holland if we could drive into Long Beach to Marsh's Museum to see if they had tiny dried starfish (I wanted to string them on my shells garland) - and maybe try to find 'Clark's Tree', too, before coming back home.

Holland agreed, and off we drove.

The sky was blue, and clear; wispy clouds were far and few between - the sunshine felt good on our exposed skin - and Dire Straits fit the mood of the Day :-)

Dire Straits 1979 - 'Sultans Of Swing' song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaAE33rMTSk)

Along the way, Holland decided to take a side trip :-)

Holland showed me the lodge he had worked on; I was excited - I like to see the buildings he has worked on.

He lived onsite for 3 months, while working on the extension construction.

A surprise … Chautauqua Resort & Conference Center; #304 14th St NW, Long Beach, WA 98631

Holland took me to the lodge he did expansion construction on, in his early 20's.

Chautauqua Resort & Conference Center: 

(https://chautauquaresort.com/)

The Peninsula has exploded on growth since the 1980's.

A construction site fire happened, and they had to restart construction again.

I like it when my husband shows me a glimpse of his Past.

Then we turned right at the end of the street, and made tracks for downtown Long Beach-WA.

I went to Marsh's Museum in search of miniature starfish: they didn't have any … but, I walked the interior anyway, reliving childhood memories & I bought 3 necklaces - no metal on any of them; and I put one of them on, immediately. It matched my top :-)

Marsh's Museum; #409 Pacific Ave, Long Beach, WA

Marsh's Museum: 

(https://www.marshsfreemuseum.com/)

Figure of the PNW's legendary Sasquatch.

Sasquatch: 

(https://www.britannica.com/place/North-America)

A pretty, carved 'Reef Bench'.

Arcade Pirate.

Leatherback Sea Turtle Shell: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leatherback_sea_turtle & https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/a-sea-turtle-found-off-washingtons-coast-cold-and-barely-alive-recovers-at-seattle-aquarium/)

"Jake the Alligator Man”

A 'Jingle Dress' used for a healing dance.

'Jingle Dress': 

(https://www.powwows.com/jingle-dress-dance/)

American Flag & Glass Fishing Floats.

Glass Fishing Floats:

 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_float#:~:text=Norway%2C%20around%201840%2C%20was%20the,is%20credited%20with%20their%20invention.)

I had seen a sign for the 'historical tree' last time we drove into town … and I have read online articles raving about "seeing Clark's Tree": I was curious.

I like History - and walking across America always intrigued me; it must have been so exciting!

President Thomas Jefferson planned the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1803. They had found the sources of the Missouri and the major tributaries of the Columbia, followed the Columbia to the sea, collected detailed information about the plants, animals, geography, and inhabitants of the region, and laid the groundwork for American expansion to the coast. On November 8, 1805, the expedition arrived at the Pacific Ocean.

I used to take off on adventures all the time without undue concern over my asthma; but, I am no longer a carefree solo lobo - Holland's concerns now have to become my concerns … and I have had more than a couple serious asthma attacks since we got married: his concerns are justified.

So, I shot a few puffs off my inhaler into my mouth to assure my husband I would "be safe", kissed Holland … and started my walk. I think it was about a half hour, round trip, from start to finish.

On the search for 'Clark's Tree'; Long Beach-WA

A good stretch of the legs …

It was a sunny day - but the ocean winds were strongly brisk.

Looking over the landscape around me, I tried to feel some of what the explorers may have felt as they passed this way … I tried to visualize what they saw, through my eyes that were seeing this place for the first time, too.

Lewis and Clark Expedition: 

(https://www.historylink.org/File/5383)

Aha!

A FAKE RESIN TREE! They did try to make it appear realistic - but the shiny plastic patina gave it away.

That tree was ridiculous - BUT I enjoyed a nice, sunny walk.

And there, sits my Knight Errant - patiently waiting, in his red 'steed' ;-)

My heart rate was a normal range for walking speed.

On our way back to Independence in Ocean Park, we stopped by David's beach lot to visit with him. It was a good, long visit, and we'll set up on his property again when our time (a month's stay, paid for) at the RV Park, here is up.

We stopped by David's & stayed a while; we'll be close neighbors again, this time next month :-)