[Saturday, 12 July 2008; Amboy WA and Portland OR]--After a HUGE complimentary breakfast at the Vancouver La Quinta motel, of which Grumpy has not seen exceeded in any motel/hotel except in Brazil, the Grand Mother and Grumpy ventured out to the little village of Amboy. We found a shady spot beside the main highway in "downtown Amboy" where Grumpy had been told the Amboy Centennial Days parade would pass. Unfortunately, by the time the parade started coming past us about two-plus hours later, the shade had moved about two car-lengths away from where we were parked. Since white hair does not produce shade like his formerly black hair, Grumpy got a noticeable sunburn on top of his head.
We thought our Great Grandsons were going to be in the parade; it was not to be. Some of the sights we enjoyed were some antique automobiles, a fierce-looking head mount of a Bull elk, a person wearing a Sasquatch outfit, another person wearing Smokey the Bear costume and the usual fire engines and political candidates for local offices.
The antique automobiles included this very rare 1928 Chevrolet convertible coupe with a "rumble seat". [The car the Grand Mother and Grumpy started out our married life some 60years and 25 days ago, was a 1928 Chevrolet chassis refitted with a 1929 -30 Essex coupe body. The Essex (a predecessor to the Hudson automobile) had a rumble seat, a great place to ride on a decent day -- especially for teenagers!!]
Marching bands are a staple of any parade, of course, but this one was especially unusual; they used highly-polished metal garbage cans -- except the "cymbals", using the garbage can lids, of course!The day was only beginning when the parade was over at about 11 a.m. Recessing to the Straw House, the Grand Mother and Great Grumpy enjoyed playing and/or listening the fascinating stories told by the resident pair of tow-headed Great Grandsons, Jamey G. & Arthur.
Shown is one of many interesting activities in which Arthur became engaged: writing a love note? Grumpy will never tell!Shortly, after a spirited game with the Great Grand Mother, Jamey G. enquired of the Great Grumpy if he wanted to jump on the trampoline.
Great Grumpy "misunderstood" the query -- he thought he was asked if he wanted to watch them jump on the trampoline. They insisted, so Grumpy was soon on this fine trampoline jumping up and down in time with the two little boys. Yep, that's right-- all three of us on the trampoline at the same time!! Grumpy had forgotten how quickly tiring jumping on a trampoline can be!! Within less than 20 jumps, Grumpy was exhausted and had to beg out of any more of this vigorous exercise.The Grand Chef, James, and the Mistress of the House, Heidi, prepared a delicious lunch comprised of toasted cheese sandwiches on a special grainey bread, followed by the Grand Chef's special "Thai Glutinous Rice" dish, using genuine Mangoes for fruit. This is a recommended delicacy any time you can talk James into preparing it for you! [James wisely set aside two large helpings that he intended to take to Portland to feed the "Butt-sore Bikers" at the STP finish line. James also graciously "forgot" how many were having lunch. This "unfortunate" result was that James and Grumpy "had to" share the extra helping!]
After some visiting between the adults and more games by and with the Great Grandsons, we caravaned in two cars to Lloyd's Center in downtown Portland to await the arrival of the two Jim's: Jim C and Jim Z. Margy kept us informed of their progress as Jim C cell-phoned his bride, Margy, with the progress of these two Jim's. At approximately 3 pm they were 50 miles out; estimated speed between 15 and 16 miles per hour, ETA about 7 pm. Frankly, Grumpy was concerned that his second son would be able to make this tortuous trip at all, with the air temperature along the route hovering between the high 80's to 92 degrees Fahrenheit; Grumpy was surprised (and really proud!) that Jim had made it this far!!
When 7:30 pm rolled around and still no sign of the Butt-sore Pair, the Welcoming Committee, consisting of Heidi, Arthur, Jamey G, the Grand Mother, James and Grumpy (taking the photo), became concerned that there had been trouble of some sort. Our eyes strained as we looked toward the late sun, examining each approaching group of riders to see if our pair was among them.
Finally, at 8:03 pm, our heroic pair was caught on Grumpy's digital camera as they slowed before crossing the finish line! What a welcome sight!!
After going through the formalities of receiving their "One Day" certificates the two Conquerors were feted by the delicacy dished up by the Grand Chef: the Thai Glutinous Rice!
The Grand Mother and Grumpy realized a major defect in our "bunch of shopping": we had no room left in our car and thus would not be able to take a passenger with us when we return to Seattle in the morning. It would have been our pleasure to have had Jim ride with us on this last leg of our Summer 2008 journey.
