Independence Day 2015

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                                                                         When the 4th of July rolls around, it used to signify the
real beginning of summer in this area as June tends to be moist and include more rain . This year was to prove completely different as very little if any rain and cloudy days visited the Portland area. In fact, most of it was downright hot, hitting upper 90°'s for many days of the month. So how would July start? Same way for sure. HOT! This Independence Day though we decided to get out of town to Clatskanie, Oregon where Dena would meet her family and also see many she grew up with as they visit the town for some fun. After arriving she took me on a tour of the town, hitting the back roads and sights she'd been part of growing up in this small town of 1850 people.

 After a brief ride through the streets and some dinner, we went to the three bars they have in town and had a good time meeting her classmates from years past. The small downtown core is exactly that but fun to explore and absorb the small town life. Here, as in most of small town America, everyone knows each other and Clatskanie is no different. It truly is a charming town and I like this place a lot.


We continued visiting till the wee hours of the morning, say around 2am, when we were invited aboard her friend's boat which was moored on the Clatskanie River. Had a great time there and then headed home at 3:15am, finally getting to sleep around four or so. After a few hours sleep, I was up and out the door for a four mile run as it was the 4th of July. Always try to get a run in on Independence Day. Ran around town and up that hill to the right past downtown.

Next up was the day's festivities which included a parade, fair and market in the town park, and culminated in a fireworks and logging show in the evening.

The weather was a lot cooler here than in Portland and so we were glad to escape the heat back home. This is going to be a very long and hot summer for sure.






   What a delightful weekend it was and I certainly hope to do this again next year. A shout out to the great hospitality and generosity of Dena's parents , Bob and Ang, for their kindness and place to crash as we stayed the night . Many thanks!! :-)

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