GPS blues

As recalled on March 2, 2008.

After a pleasant stay at the Best Western Lincoln Inn in Astoria...warm chocolate chip cookies, free breakfast!...I drove to Fort Stevens State Park. Right off the bat, my GPS started pointing me in the most questionable directions. First, it wanted me to turn into a private drive going nowhere, then another. I resorted to following the informational street signs for the park, ignoring my GPS as its female voice kept telling me to turn where I didn't want to go. Finally, it gave up and pointed me in the right way. Later on, while I was leaving the park, it told me to turn...onto a pedestrian footpath! Oh, brother!

Anyway, I was amazed to find throughout the park, downed trees and branches all along the sides of the roads. This was the aftermath of a huge windstorm that hit both the Washington and Oregon coasts this past December. And, here is was, March, and it still hadn't been cleaned up. It was a testament to the destructive capabilities of Mother Nature. I checked out some WWII era bunkers and crashing waves along the park jetty...impressive! I wanted to see the famous Peter Iredale shipwreck on the beach, but because of high tide, it was inaccessible. Oh, well!

Next, I drove down the road to Fort Clatsop National Memorial. This was the winter encampment of Lewis & Clark when they completed their Corps of Discovery in 1806. I find it so interesting to learn the local history of places I visit, and this was enlightening. It was when I was traveling to my next destination, the Tillamook Cheese Factory, that my GPS let me down again. Maybe it was because the address I inputted was not accurate, but when I reached my objective...I found myself in a rural area. Hey, where's the cheese factory? Something definitely was not right! I backtracked to the main highway, and opted to keep going, hoping the factory was nearby. Sure enough, about a mile down the road, I found it...it was hard to miss. It was a huge building with the words "Tillamook Cheese" on the front. I had lunch there, a patty melt with...you guessed it, Tillamook cheese. With time running short, at the other end of town, I visited the Tillamook Air Museum. Of course, my day would not be complete without my GPS trying to confuse me yet again! But, it was hard to miss the humongous blimp hanger with "Air Museum" spelling out in equally huge letters on its side. I love air museums, especially those with old WWII warbirds. And, this museum had a really nice collection.

After such an eventful day, I was ready to call it quits. I checked into the Days Inn in Newport, then asked the manager about internet access. He replied that it was wired...but, out-of-order due to the windstorms. What, you mean the December windstorms? Oh, no, no, no! I just HAD to have internet! The manager could tell I was upset, especially when I mumbled something about complaining to AAA. He hastily added that I could access the wireless in the office...maybe. Now, I was really pissed! Couldn't he have mentioned his internet being kaput BEFORE I checked in? I got a refund and went to the EconoLodge next door. The nice lady gave me a rate only $7 over what I would have gotten at Days Inn, AND her internet was working! At least SOMETHING went right for a change! It can only get better from now...I hope.