One of the requirements for Zak to be accepted into the chaplain candidacy program is an interview with a real, live Navy chaplain. The closest Navy chaplain in our area is on a Coast Guard base in Astoria, Oregon. Since Zak has some time off from school and we were wanting to explore the state a bit more anyway, we took this opportunity to escape for a night along with our friends, the Cousers.
Wes and Jessi came over Wednesday night after our home community meeting and stayed the night and we got up relatively early on Thursday and began our day. We were slowed down a bit by the need to fetch our car from the dealership where we had to have the entire transmission replaced this last week (praise God for extended warranties!) Once we had our car, we all piled in and headed for the coast. Due to the recent snow fall and heavy rains there was some flooding that threatened detours along the way, but we made it without incedent. Please pray for the people whose homes and crops have been effected by the flooding.
We got into Astoria on Thursday afternoon and Zak, Wes and Koa visited the Columbia River Maritime Museum for a couple of hours. Jessi, Caz and I went and found a nice, warm coffee shop/tanning salon (interesting combo, huh?) in which to hang out. While I fed Caspian we watched part of the movie "Bubble Boy" without sound. I think the fact that there was no sound actually made the movie more interesting. After our relaxing afternoon we visited a local winery and then went to a nice dinner together at the Silver Salmon with a coupon we were given.
We rented a suite with two beds and split the cost with the Cousers which made the trip more cost effective. It happened to be in a hotel with an indoor, heated pool! We were excited to have a pool at our hotel because I knew Koa would love that, but when we got in that night he was so tired that he just went straight to bed. Zak stayed in the room with the boys and worked out while Wes, Jessi and I went to the pool together. I didn't realize how much I missed swimming! It was WONDERFUL to be in the water again--especially without the extra pregnancy weight! I was really surprised by how much I really enjoyed it. I guess it's the first time I've been in a pool without a child to tend or in my belly in 3.5 years!
The next morning Zak had to go to his interview, so Koa and I got up and headed down to the pool at that time. I think Koa enjoyed it as much as I thought he would. We left just long enough to grab some breakfast at the small buffet provided and then headed back to the pool. By that time Caz and the Cousers had joined us. I intended to take Caspian in the water, too, but he was ready to go to sleep before he even made it in the water! So, he just took a nap on the blanket by the pool...ahh, the life!
Zak had his interview with the chaplain on the Coast Guard base but didn't get to say a whole lot since the guy talked almost non-stop. It was less of an interview and more of an infomative conversation about the reality of being a chaplain. Zak thought it was really valuable and enlightening because it was another perspective of the corps that he hadn't heard about yet. He would have liked to ask a few more questions but didn't even get to do that. Hopefully the guy got enough information to recommend Zak for the chaplain candidacy program.
When he got back we all packed up and headed out for some more exploration of the area. There is a lot of history in this area since Astoria was the first permanent settlement west of the Rockies and the last place Lewis and Clark visited before making the trek back to St. Louis. We made a few more stops at museums and forts and the like. We enjoyed a bit more seafood at Dooger's, along the way, as well. :)
It was a wonderful little get-away and a fun time with friends (we have photos to prove it and there should be more to come)! Even though we moved out here with the Cousers we don't get to see them nearly often enough since both our families are involved in ministries at different churches. We've all agreed that we need to make these get-aways a regular occurance. I hope it works out that we can!
