Westport, Wa.

Yesterday was beautiful sun, fog, and amazing landscape that was mixed with holiday traffic and a dropped tail pipe?!@#$%^&*(
Andrea and I are so out of the concept of holidays that a 250 mile trip took about 10 hours. After Astoria the road was open and we drove into pastoral salt water landscapes. We were punch drunk by the time we landed. I don't know who said what but for a good 15 minutes we all laughed till our sides hurt and we cried. Lord Buckley said that when we are laughing we are incandescent and want everyone we ever loved to share that moment with us and I agree.
We are in Westport because I have a sculpture in Hoquiam just across Gray's Bay. When we were installing that sculpture we came over here for dinner one night and I liked it. It is a blue collar sea side destination. The ocean is constantly trying to reduce all materials back to their organic origins.  Rust on steel, marine borers in pilings, paint that is faded and hangs like fall leaves. The area is a thin peninsula supported by serious fishing and tourism. Try and imagine a sea side board walk with all of the rides and concessions closed. The restaurants and salt water taffy shops are all that is left. Since I was a kid I liked this feeling. It isn't neat, clean or nice. There is not one Starbucks, Peets, McDonalads or any thing else that would make people feel safe. We park the RV and walked to a fish market that had the most beautiful selections of fresh fish I have ever seen. Andrea asked for a lunch recommendation and with great enthusiasm one of the fish mongerette's  lead us into the semi paved street. She directed us down 3 blocks to the yellow sign and then right, "look for the Little Mermaid and order the Ragin Cajun."  We walked past mountains of crab traps, boats that will never feel sea water again and cars with over 400,000 miles on broken odometers. The food was great, the place was a garage that had been converted to a deli - bar; what a winner. We will stop by again on the way out of town tomorrow. The place is off the un-beaten path. We walked back up the docks and went into the local maritime Museum which house one of the only class 1 Fresnel Light house lenses. It is displayed and functioning in it's own building. You walk in and this is IT. The experience In this building is what every church wants but usually comes up short. Without the weight or pretensions of Western religions, this 6,000 pounds of steel, glass and light inspires awe and knocks you out. Lily knew this was the real deal. Monsieur Fresnel makes most art look like self important Chihuahua poop.
The lens is worth a trip to west port. People go to Europe for the cathedrals, frescos and marbles statuary. Save your self some money and see the light.
What a great day!