Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Big Ships Passing

You can't help but love this bridge.  The Astoria-Megler bridge across the Columbia River is just an amazing site to see.  I showed you this picture before when I was on the way to Sunday Market.
What I didn't show you was THIS!!  As I came across the lower part of the bridge from Ilwaco, I saw a ship heading rather fast towards the bridge.  It being early morning and no traffic, I stopped in the middle of the road for a windshield picture.  That's not dirty water beside her, that's MUD.  That's how shallow the bay really is.  This is Ocean Wealth, a bulk carrier owned by a company from Panama.
WAIT ... she's going under the bridge!!  I just HAVE to get pictures!!  I raced as fast as I could down the ramp, around the corner to a red light.  RATS!!  Please, please change!!  Another quick left turn and I came to a screeching halt next to a building, grabbed my camera and raced to the back deck as fast as I could.  

Just in the nick of time, she started under the bridge.  YAY!!!  Making it even more dramatic, with the tide out, all the old cannery pilings are sticking out of the mud.  I happily snapped away.  I might even have to frame this one!!
She was no slow poke.  In fact, I was shocked at how fast she was traveling.  Don't they have speed limits??
It's funny, I don't know how many crew it takes to operate one of these babies, but you NEVER see anyone.  There's not a sole standing on the deck or any of the railings.  Ocean Wealth is a bulk carrier, moving coal, ore and steel around the world.  There is actually an App you can get called Marine Traffic, which will show you every ship in your area.  Tap on the ship and you can find out where it's from, what it's carrying, where it's going and info like how long and how much it weighs.  
Well THAT was exciting.  I headed off to Sunday Market, where I picked up a few pieces of corn.  Blog friends Rick and Kathy Rousseau showed this tip on their blog, so I'm passing it along.  Cut off the bottom end (I should have cut off a tad bit more) and microwave the corn for 4 minutes each piece.  
When done, using heavy gloves or a hot pad, cuz this baby is screaming hot and will burn you ... squeeze the top end like you were milking a cow, and the corn pops out, with NO silk attached.  Since I didn't cut off quite enough, it didn't pop out, but was super easy to peel, leaving those pesky silk strands attached to the husk.  To make it even better, when I ate the corn, the kernels came off the cob super easy.  Corn for lunch!!
For dinner, I had picked up a BBQ chicken pizza from Safeway.  They never put enough stuff on it for me, so I added some of my smoked chicken, sliced onions, more cheese and a little more barbecue sauce.  Baked in my Breville oven on the bottom shelf, it came out fabulous.  Edible at least, and that's a plus for me.  Of course you know I will eat anything with the name pizza attached to it.
I spent the afternoon yesterday in the Cannon Beach area at Indian Beach.  It was just SO cool ... go early and take a $5 bill.  I'll tell you why tomorrow!!




14 comments:

  1. That was a huge ship so your pictures show just how tall that bridge is.
    If you liked the corn like that, don't cut the end off until after you Micro-Wave it. It helps to keep it even more moist and flavourful.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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    1. Aha!!! I've got two more ears of corn to practice on!!

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  2. I knew I would get expert advice
    It finally dawned on me where I saw the chaps that you were looking at
    If you go back to the 50s old TV with the little rascals there are two pictures of one of them were wearing at woolly chaps or as you would call them batwings.
    Not being a Cowboy (and the bucking bronco at KMART doesn't count )the only chaps I have a wore were on my motorcycle


    http://www.cowboyway.com/WoolyChaps.htm

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    1. Believe it or not, cowboys are where those motorcycle chaps came from. Weird, because in the old days there were always fights between the cowboys and the harley riders!! The goat hair was left on for warmth as well as looks!!

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  3. More information to add to your repertoire of facts
    Astoria Columbia River bridge has an air draft of 196 feet

     Channel Depth: Except as limited by localized, temporary shoaling, the Columbia River channel is currently maintained to a depth of 43 feet and a width of 600 feet. The Willamette River channel is 43 feet deep up to approximately river mile 2, from that point the controlling depth is 40 feet. Vessels may be permitted to sail with the maximum fresh water draft of 43 feet, if river level, tide, and conditions permit.

     Deep Draft Transits: As indicated in US Coast Pilot Volume 7, vessels with a fresh water draft of less than 36 feet are generally able to transit the river at any time.

     Under Keel Clearance: All vessel movements will be planned based on predicted river levels to maintain a static under keel clearance (UKC) that is no less than 2 feet.

    Air Drafts: Limiting air draft on the Columbia River is 198 feet (59.73 meters) at the Longview Bridge. Limiting air draft on the Willamette River is 175 feet

    # If you notice there is a reference to fresh water draft.

    Salt water being denser the difference is about 11 1/2 inches so your higher in salt water. The Columbia river being freshwater you lose that 11 1/2 inches.

    http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/steering-ships-through-a-treacherous-waterway-45259458/

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  4. http://coastradio.org/coast-guard-responds-to-grounded-cargo-ship-in-columbia-river-near-astoria/

    I witnessed ships grounded on the sand bars more than once while I lived there
    ~Betty

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    1. It's amazing how shallow it really is Betty ... no wonder they need Bar Captains.

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  5. When we micro our corn, we wrap them in paper towels and then spray just a little bit of water on the towels...otherwise we do just what they do. Or should I say, "use to do", since corn on the cob is not on this diet we are on (darn!!!)

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    1. I wish I was on your diet Dave. Trouble is, I can never stick to it for long enough to see results! :-(

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  6. I love how clean the corn comes out when you use that method.

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  7. https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=126961

    I did this walk back in the mid 90's
    ~Betty

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