Roads to Cathlamet

I have now made three trips to  Puget Island in Cathlamet, Wa where I have enjoyed the river, the apple orchard, the garden, the farmer’s market, the goats, and my wonderful friends.   

The first time I went to this beautiful place, the weather was gray and rainy in typical Oregon fashion. My traveling companion and I took Highway 47 through Vernonia , where we stopped for a burger at a small café. We continued north to Highway 30 where we were awarded a scenic drive of twists and turns along the road to Westport where a small ferry leaves the dock at a quarter after every hour. The Oscar B Ferry shuttled us 1.5 miles across the lower Columbia River from Oregon to Puget Island in Washington where we disembarked and drove a short distance to my friend’s little farm.   Later that evening, Oscar B, the last car ferry to cross the river between the two states, returned us.

 Last weekend, I decided to take a different route and avoid the ferry. This time I took a sunny, cloudless drive along Highway 30 from Portland to Rainier.  I crossed the Lewis and Clark Bridge, ducked through Longview to Highway 4, and enjoyed the drive along the Columbia through Stella to Cathlamet where I crossed a narrow bridge to Puget Island. Time wise, this route took no longer than the other.  Since this route travels through St. Helens, Scappoose, and Rainier, it's a bit stop and go. Watch your speed through the little towns or you may get to visit with a state trooper. The scenery was different this time, less twisty forest road and more river/slough view.  I favor this route as I do not have to wait for the ferry.

Since I needed to stop in Vancouver on my way home, I grabbed I-5 South from Longview. I took care of business in Vancouver and grabbed the highway into Portland. As usual, traffic was fairly annoying and the city added at good half hour to my travel time home.

I drove back up today to harvest pears, apples, and tomatoes. I chose to avoid the ferry and I-5 and took the route through Rainier again.  Next time I go, if the weather is good, I think I will go back through Vernonia and ride the ferry again just for fun.

Consider that there are many routes to where you wish to go, and that there is no sin in attempting more than one. Just because a certain path worked out OK doesn’t mean that we should avoid the opportunity to try another road which ends up in the same place. Like the roads to Cathlamet, a new experience awaits along each route.

Peace! Lw

Marshmallow: The Movie

 Perfect Toasted Mallow

A few weeks ago while camping,  I created the perfect toasted marshmallow. To create the perfect toasted marshmallow, one must draw upon one's deepest patience. To start toasting over a roaring fire spells doom as the mallow will burn to blackness. Waiting for a bed of hot coals produces the finest roasting environment. 

Once the coals glow red and the smoke has died, the delicate confection must be carefully punctured by the finest roasting implement. I suggest a whittled green stick or a store bought roaster with safety handle obtained at your local dollar store. Say no to mutilated wire coat hangers. 

The marshmallow must be tended uninterrupted. Distractions are dangerous.  A few extra seconds on one side, defeats the perfect toast. Too long in the heat may blacken it, or allow it to over melt and fall off the stick. 

As a side begins to brown  gentle turning is required for even browning.  Again patience is the key!!  Gentle, uninterrupted rotation above the coals is a must. Giving up too soon may produce a one-sided toasty leaving the other side devoid of delicious crispness and with a sticky, gooey texture instead. Get distracted, and have a coal on stick. Once toasted to perfection, keep your stick up or the melty goodness may dive to inferno.

I can't think of one time when I toasted marshmallows all alone.  When I went camping alone, sitting by a fire toasting marshmallows was the last thing on my mind. I built a fire for heat when needed, or I simply didn't bother. When we are with those we treasure, the campfire presents a place for fellowship.  While consuming the perfect marshmallow could be the best part of the toasting, to me it’s the camaraderie around the fire that makes them taste so good. Sharing the small stuff with people we care about makes the joy abound.  Consider who you would have with you around the campfire while you view Marshmallow: The Movie.  Tell them you care and invite them to watch it with you. Hopefully,  you will find the film is better when shared (since it’s not really that great to start with).

Toasts!

lw