A Mermaid's Tale about Lighting the Dark
Happy 50th Edition A Mermaid’s Tale and the Land of 1,000 Shipwrecks
The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it. Robert Swan
Hello Friends,
When I started this Substack a year into our Imrama, I was unsure I could keep up a regular pace with our constant travel schedule. Following the publication of Shine, I had taken an entire year sabbatical from writing anything because writing a book, getting it published, and doing all the other things takes time and is gut wrenching. Still, I felt my personal guidance saying it was important to document, to publish regularly, to share with those who find me. I know to listen, and the Substack portal has been working for me. I hope it works for you, too. I take all my own pictures, video, narrate, and write what I think my readers need to hear, what will make life better in some way. I’m happy to say I’ve made it to 50 episodes. To celebrate, if you find what I do valuable, you can buy me a coffee!
Now, to this week which feels like a year.
The sea I am staring at as I type this is that angry Oregon sea we’ve seen at times on this trip. It’s dark gray waters, fading into the slightly lighter gray sky. Multiple breaks with huge waves stretch as far as I can see. We are in tsunami land, and there is a map on the refrigerator describing how to escape which feels like it actually could happen. The water feels close, violent, and hungry. Huge evergreens brush against the windows making squeaking noises. Sheets of rain pound the scene. See for yourself.
At the same time, the world markets are crashing as far as we can see. As our lives specifically are interwoven in the market (ie Mike’s job and our personal finances), this is particularly stormy, much like the sea outside. We have been here before in the past 30 years, but the most complicating part of this intentionally manipulated maneuver is the speed at which it’s happening, and the uncertainty of the hemorrhage. If it were a picture, it would be this violent ocean challenging the light.
But here’s what I know. Storms pass. The sun comes out, and often we can’t even remember how the waves looked like they were going to eat us alive, how the winds were so fierce they inverted our umbrellas. Instead, we see calm waters, beautiful green trees cleaned from the storm, and we are so grateful for the blue skies.
In the meantime, we each have to do your part. For us, this means working very hard to strategize best moves for ourselves and Mike’s clients. He’s good at that, and though it means we might miss the Sea Lion Caves, that’s okay. My focus is to bring peace, the meditation, the humor, the green tea, the healing music, the light to our dark, and to yours. I hope I do that for you because that is always my goal. I truly know this, too, shall pass, and we are in the turbulent sea together.
Moving forward, as we move through each town, we notice such distinct personalities of each. Here’s the capture of this jaunt.
Yachats, Oregon - Motto: Gem of the Oregon Coast
This town feels like the Mt. Shasta of Oregon. There are mermaids (and mermaid symbolism) everywhere. The population is around 1,000. The town sits at the base of mountains with huge evergreen guardians forming a wall around the coast lines. Despite its small population, it’s a popular destination. The first night we hit this restaurant called The Ditch Inn with great live music and fresh halibut with crab.
Here’s the door going in so you know you’re in Mermaid Land. Note the handle.
As they sometimes do, our Air BB misrepresented their proximity to beach. Yep, they’re close, but you need to hold on to this rope to scale a rocky mini-cliff down. As it was stormy much of the time, we didn’t want to go down there anyway. I’ll take this ocean from higher ground. Thanks, anyway.
Tillamook, Oregon - Motto: Gateway to the Oregon Coast (but really Land of Cheese)
With a population of around 6,000, Tillamook is home to the Tillamook Creamery, the only place in the world you can get Tillamook cheese curds. It’s also the place they make those huge hunks of cheese wrapped in red labels. In fact, it’s one lady’s job to check and make sure they are just right, and if they’re not, she slices them open and runs them again. How’s that for quality control? And aren’t we all grateful there’s a metal detector?!
A slight detour from Tillamook to his Portland Vet earned Kai a new cone for his head issue. We tell him it’s a rain hat.
Astoria, Oregon - Motto: Astoria: where river meets sea
With a population around 10,000, Astoria is known as the oldest American city west of the Rockies. The history is fascinating. First, this is the land of the Goonies. The Oregon Film Museum is all about them. The Goonies house is here. Second, and probably more significant, this is the Land of 1,000 Shipwrecks! That’s because of the shape of the bay, the crazy currents created by the Colombia River meeting the Pacific Ocean, the shifting tides, and numerous sandbars. This is an important port because 40% of US wheat comes in here, and Astoria is the largest salmon canning capital of the world. George Flavel became a very successful (some argue the most successful) businessman in Astoria by learning the patterns of the sea currents and the sand bars. He piloted ships across so they wouldn’t crash. This practice continues to this day, and we watched it out the window of our hotel room. Flavel’s house, which is also the house that the dad in the Goonies worked, is below and has been preserved for viewing.
We stayed at the Cannery Inn & Spa which is also surrounded by water. In fact, it felt like we were in the water. Here’s the view from the balcony of this unique hotel at different times looking different directions.
This town, this place, invites you to curl up on this window seat and dive into a pile of books. I’m glad we will be here for 3 days. I do love a cozy windowseat.
But it also invites you to walk the docks, watch the numerous types of birds, and the tides come in and out. The clouds are ever changing here, one minute sun and the next rain. If you go very far, it’s wise to have an umbrella.
We loved this hotel, and the spa was just 20 feet down the hall from our room. After a week like this one, I was so happy I had booked us a hot stone and deep tissue because it turns out Clair was super talented. If you come here (and you should) ask for her. You will not be sorry.
We’ll be back to the Cannery Inn & Spa.
Where in the world is the mermaid? Anacortes, Washington
We were told by some folks in Washington that not only was Anacortes a ferry port for the San Juan Islands, but it is also a super cutey town that we needed to hang out in for awhile. We’re making time there to see for ourselves. Meanwhile, Spring is springing.
Where’s Next? Exploring the San Juan Islands, Washington
I cannot tell you how confusing this was to understand how these work. I hope to shed more light on that process for you. There are separate ferry systems for the various islands and our plan is to try three of them. We’ve done this before, but not comparing the different systems. Stay tuned.
Top Recs
Astoria - We loved this little town, and within it, some recs.
Cannery Inn and Spa - It’s so easy to be here, and the manager shares my name. It comes with breakfast, fresh evening cookies, a small gym to balance those calories, and a spa right down the hall. Also, this Rolls Royce will drive you around town.
Bridgewater Bistro:
Just 600 feet from the Cannery Inn and Spa, sits one of the best restaurants in town. We ate there twice. The halibut cakes were incredible, and I don’t usually like those types of things so that’s saying a lot. Get the mushroom soup, a cup because it’s so creamy and rich.
The Columbia River Maritime Museum
This museum was so interesting! It takes you back through time to the first Americans here who were the Chinook Indian Tribes (still not federally recognized) and has an elder speaking at an exhibit. The attempts to get into Astoria port met with thousands of shipwrecks and those stories are told and illustrated on huge maps. The Cape of Disappointment tricked explorers along the way, and jetties were later built to calm down the entry into the bay. Leave two hours to explore this completely.
The Oregon Film Museum
You can get tickets to the Oregon Film Museum (small but you can film scenes and email them to yourself), Flavel House, and the Heritage Museum all at any one of those places. We started at the film Museum.
The Flavel House
If you love Victorian Era (haunted) mansions, this one’s for you. There is some special family history in this one, and it’s been maintained beautifully with furnishings. It was the first home in town to have running water and a toilet inside. We did notice there was only one and it was upstairs, but then, that was luxury. You will watch an informative and fascinating 15 minute film before touring the house.
Through Kai’s Eyes
Well, crap. The good news is my leg’s not broken. And I needed a rain hat anyway because I poked my head playing at The Grapefruit House and it just wasn’t healing. This is me at my Portland vet. They give me kisses and are very nice to me there at Bridgetown. The good news is after I wore this for a few days, I was feeling much better all over. I don’t know if you know this but my birthday is next week, so I’m thinking by that time, I’ll be all good and ready for my party hat.
Mystical Mermaid Musings: Diving Deeper Into You
Do you have a project that’s always been there? Something you’ve been thinking of but just have never felt it was the right time? Learning how to knit? To sail? Travel somewhere?
These threads that never go away are there for a reason. The passion may come in and out like the tide, but if it keeps doing that, it’s a signal to act on it. What are you waiting for?
What Stories? The Handmaid’s Tale, Season 6
For obvious reasons, The Handmaid’s Tale has never been more visionary and important. I’m both so excited and so sad this is the final season. Just starting this one, but a few episodes are out to get you started.
This week’s Haiku
Driftwood, by J Twisted knarled trunk Ocean torrents shape you strong The miles you’ve seen
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Thank you for being here. May your week be filled with all good things. Shine. Your light is needed here.
Oceans of Love, Jamie
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Happy 50th! What a beautiful post....and I love Jordan's music! Am a little late reading this post, but love every minute and always look forward to Mondays with the Mermaid....Sending big, Happy Birthday wishes to Kai, who is living large these days! Thank you, Jamie, for sharing your adventure with us!
I read/watch every post!