Sunsets, Elk and Sock Yarn

Our last evening at the beach I snapped a few photos of sunset.  So pretty.

See all the little people still walking on the beach?

Earlier that afternoon the girls begged their mom to play on the beach, and it wasn't such good weather.  But my daughter put 3 coats on and carried the folding chair down and let the girls run and play and build sand castles.  See her in the chair?  See the girls on the left having fun?  :-)

I love the soft colors in the evening.

The next morning it was coffee and breakfast and then packing up to check out.  We then decided to make a big loop instead of heading home the same way we came.  So, north to Seaside for a visit, we drove down to the "Promenade" to let Amy see her favorite place when she was a kid, and the beautiful bronze statue of Lewis & Clark and their Newfoundland dog, "Seaman".  

Looking out from this statue is the Pacific Ocean.  As you can see, Friday the day we drove home the weather was cold and rainy.

As we drove north out of Seaside Dayle spotted this herd of Elk in a field... ::screech::, turn the car around, pull to the side of the road.. hop out.. *snap*.. *snap*.. 

Look at this gorgeous Elk buck has a gorgeous rack of antlers still covered with velvet.

There were several males in the herd.  I just loved getting to see a herd of elk this time.

We drove on north to Astoria where we planned to have lunch.  I'd read about a hold in the wall diner that served good clam chowder, but I didn't know where it was so we went to a place we knew.. Bridgewater Bistro.. it's right under this bridge and has a great view of the Columbia River.  We saw a huge ocean going ship go by but I didn't get a photo of it.. I got a kick out of this photo as it looks like I took it in black and white.. but this is full color.. it's just that the world appears monochrome on this rainy day.

I did manage to get a photo of this neat tug boat that was pulling a huge barge.

So.. socks.  Seems like EVERYONE is knitting socks nowadays.  One of my blog friends, Kathy, just loves to knit socks.  I did knit one pair of them like 10 years ago and I used cotton.. and they drove me crazy, and then when I wore them my sensitive feet could feel every stitch so I never really wore them.  But I've seen yarn that makes neat patterns as you go.. so I decided to pop on this skein of yarn and give it a second try. 

After my first pair of socks I ordered a set of handcrafted bronze double-pointed needles in size #1.  I thought I was going to make lots of socks.. :-)  So, I'll use these.  These were made by my friend Molly Swan Sheeran - click HERE to see them.

All set.  Now all I need is some quiet time to dive in and begin.

We've been enjoying having 4 of our grandkids here.  They have been having a blast playing together.  I just asked both girls what their favorite thing during their visit and they both said "the beach".  This is their last day, tomorrow I will take them early to the airport.  I'm so glad they came to visit.

I want to ask for a moment of silence for the people who lost their lives or were wounded at the hands of a mentally ill and evil man in Orlando, Florida.  I am so sad for the friends and family of the victims.  I can only ask for everyone to help by spreading love and acceptance.  Love is Love is Love.