Fourth of July in Manzanita

It's always fun to take a ride up the Oregon Coast on the 4th of July weekend, especially since we often have company.  While the guys are crabbing, the women love to break away for lunch and shopping in Gearhart and Astoria!  One of my favorite places to take visitors is Yankee Trader on Hwy. 101 in Gearhart. See more photos from this fun place  from a 2009 post: http://artgardendiva.blogspot.com/2009/07/4th-of-july-on-oregon-coast.html  Carrie Bergin only opens her shop from Memorial Day through December. The rest of the year she makes these spectacular seasonal themed 'cakes' and changes her shop around.  If you've ever seen her amazing shop, you'll realize this is no easy task!

Another vignette ... 

We stopped at Marie Antionette's Cupcake and Espresso Parlor for one of their famous cupcakes.

Of course, the Fourth wouldn't be complete without the Manzanita Parade.  We've had an entry for over 20 years.  When the kids were younger, we were the 'Original Boat' float, but for the past several years, we've entered the 43' Willy's, which was Rick's grandfather's, that he had restored.

Our friends, Mark and Barb were just back from Croatia, but couldn't stay away. They have been our 'partners in crime' for many years, since Barb and I met at a New Mom's class when our oldest were babies!

I felt sorry for this poor guy! This is the second year he's dress up in Oregon Duck regalia!  I think he enjoys it since the crowd goes wild when they see him.  He must really be a Die-hard Husky fan, since nobody in their right mind would bet against the Ducks these days!

Here, Dear Daughter is practicing her best parade wave!  She was supposed to be wearing a gray Old Navy T-Shirt and walking in front of the jeep like everyone else, but somehow morphed into a 1940's Diva!

Katie doing her best Eva Peron imitation!

Well, the guys came through with crab!  Since it's not an R Month, the shells were a bit softer, but none-the-less, delicious!  Our Forth of July menu never changes; it's always hot dogs and burgers, baked beans, potato salad, sliced melon, and berry pie!  AND, brownies! It makes it easy, and you don't feel too bad indulging when it's only once a year! 

Bryan on the BBQ. It's been awhile since both kids have been home to celebrate the forth, but since Uncle Kevin and family were here, they wouldn't miss.

Great to have the family here, especially fun with Jacob and Hayden, nine year old twins who kept things very fun and lively!

More cracked crab for breakfast!

There's no place like Manzanita Beach on the Fourth, but SSShsh!  Don't tell anyone!!

Girls Just Gotta Have Fun

With temps soaring into the 90's in town, it was a nice escape to head for the soothing breezes at the beach. My friend Barb, and I took off for a girls shopping excursion on Oregon's North Coast. We visited some old friends, Les Femmes de L'Ocean and found some new places of interest. My favorite was the Yankee Trader, on Hwy. 101 in Gearhart, where we found this charming display of boot planters for sale.
couldn't resist posting this sign

As you can see, we were having too much fun, and haven't even gone inside yet! Carrie, the owner of Yankee Trader, makes these incredible 'cakes' made of plaster and Styrofoam, and decorates them with themes-Easter, Wedding, Halloween, Christmas, etc. They're pretty incredible.

Carrie also has themed vignettes all over the store that are pretty amazing! I must have driven by her store hundreds of times, and had no idea what was inside.

After stopping for a quick cup of coffee at Columbia River Coffee Roasters in Astoria, and purchasing several bags of their yummy Saddle Mountain Coffee Beans, we were off for more shopping and lunch at Pacific Way Cafe in Gearhart. The cafe was so quaint and European looking, that I wanted to take some photos, but we were there during the busy lunch time. The cafe has an extensive menu, but we settled for sharing a sandwich and a cup of soup, knowing we would be having a BBQ with the guys later.


Gearhart reminds me so much of the East Coast...flower baskets are everywhere!

Another of our favorite shopping places is the Pacific Crest Cottage in Gearhart. The front of the store is so quaint.

It was fun to come back to the beach house and paint a scene in our Travel Journals.
Finally, we had to stop at another favorite shop, Fitzgeralds, where you'll find beautiful home decor items.
There's a 7 Dee's Nursery next door, and everything was in bloom. I had to put the camera down long enough to check out their terrific selection of succulents.