Antiques, Water, Good Food and More Water!!

In spite of what it looked like, the "quilt" trip yesterday morning was to the Latimer Quilt and Textile Museum.  Located in an old two room schoolhouse, the museum showcases antique quilts from the early 1900's along with the tools used to make them.  It also has looms of every make and model that you can learn to weave on.  Spinning happens on Tuesdays and everyone is invited to join in!!

A later addition to the school of a small stage housed the latest showing of quilts from Africa.  Not exactly made of material and not exactly "quilted", these beautiful works of art are painted, sometimes on fabric and sometimes on canvas, to look like quilts.  A story of the artist accompanies each ... for example this quilt whose maker was the second wife, and after having 5 children and losing her husband, she had to do something to make money to feed her children.

After checking out all the cool stuff, one of the Museum docents suggested we go to Munson Creek Falls, just south of our Elks Park.  She said it's an easy walk, 1/4 mile.  She was at least correct about the 1/4 mile part!!

We walked through old growth forest that was amazing.  There's so much water and moisture here that every tree is covered with moss, making them look like elk horns covered in velvet.

The first part of the trail is relative flat ... then you come to the straight uphill part (be sure and hang on to the railing, it's slippery) where your heart will get a workout!!  At the top of the hill you come to the stairs and the rest of the trail that you see here.  

Just beyond the last steps, the trail ends and you see Munson Creek Falls.  

As I said, everything here is covered in moss, ferns and growing things, including this baby we found on the way down the trail.  Yucky yuck!!!  Not sure what he's munching on, but he was VERY busy.

My appetite not very whetted by the slug, we took off with Barb and Tom to find the Fish Peddler in Bay City, just a few miles north of Tillamook.  It didn't look like much of a restaurant ... with Pacific Oyster on the top of the building, it appeared to be a processing plant.  And so it was!!  With a very small restaurant inside.

Tucked in a narrow long hallway next to the oyster shucking and cleaning stations, we had the best clam chowder EVER!!  I hate to say it, but this chowder is better than any I have had in Monterey California.  The oyster chowder and cioppino also got raves!!

From the crab and shrimp melt to the crab cakes, the food was all rated excellent.  We will definitely plan a return visit before leaving this area.

Up early this morning as usual, I discovered a BIG water problem.  My awning doesn't slant very much, making it a great water barrel in the rain.  Hmmm ... I never heard in RV'ing 101 that you should never leave your awning out in the rain.  I knew if I closed it, the water would make such a racket I would wake the entire campground.  Sneaking around quietly, I got my shade hook and gently pushed underneath.  Well it wasn't exactly a "quiet" waterfall, but I did get enough off to keep the shade from tearing.  Sheesh!!!!  Just when you think you have learned everything, something else jumps up and bites you!!!  Rain is expected for the next day or so as we head North to Garibaldi for the Golden Spikes Rally ... all of about 10 miles.  No worries, I love the rain!!