Seattle to Astoria

Monday 19th July

So now begins the real driving part of the holiday down the west coat of the USA to San Francisco, not taking the fastest route along the interstate but the more leisurely drive down highway 101. We plan to drive no more than about three hours a day so that we can stop and look at any of the interesting sites we discover along the way.

First stop for the night ASTORIA.

Now, a few folks have said "Why drive to Astoria?" Well, why not we say ... especially when it is such a lovely little town, a step back in time that sure seems to run at a slower pace, with that old country feel where everyone makes you feel welcome and the locals know one another. This place is described as the little San Francisco of the north west.

After Jennifer (yes we are using a sat nav to guide our way and it is magical) directed us to the doorsteps of the Hotel Elliot and we off loaded our bags it was time for an afternoon coffee. Being a small town, we noticed that many shops had closed by the time we were ready to nibble and drink. But we did discover the Danish Bakery Maid.

Here hot chocolate (it was too late for us to have an afternoon coffee) comes in make-your-own sachet and the cinnamon scrolls are scrumptious.

and THIS is how we know we are most definitely in country America:

And we absolutely loved how at 5 minutes after the late, late closing time, while we were still there and the floors were being washed Mary entered the store for her daily coffee and pastry and chat. Time stood still, as did the floor cleaning as the coffee and Danish were organised while Mary parked herself at a booth. The friendliness and warmth was fantastic.