Annual Crabbing Fest--Southbeach State Park

Friday started the Annual Crab Fest at South Beach State Park in Newport Oregon.

We arrived around noon, to find that Mike & Kathy had just pulled in, and Evan & Tammy had arrived on Wednesday! We set up while they went for lunch, and Mom & Dad ran to town to get some lunch meat, as I forgot ours.

Kathy, Tammy & I spent the afternoon visiting while some of the guys went out on the boat to crab, while some others napped, and while Kristin tried repeatedly to fly a kite. The guys returned around 6:30 with only 5 crab, and we enjoyed a fire while waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive. Jen & Eric arrived around 7ish, Eric pulling Jen's trailer and the kids. Brady had to work, and we really missed him :(
Rod & Lissa showed up around 8, and we enjoyed a quiet evening after the wind calmed down.

It was nice & cozy in our trailer, as we slept 6--Bill & I deciding we could sleep on the dinette (that folds to a bed) in the kitchen....lets just say it was not uncomfortable, just not long enough. We had pulled our hide a bed out of the trailer in lieu of the lazyboy reclining loveseat. Oh well!! Morning came early, and we both made sure that we would get a nap that afternoon!




After getting dressed, we enjoyed breakfast, coffee, a nice fire and friends. Olin, Tami & Evan's son Olin turned ONE on Saturday the 6th--he learned to show everyone ONE finger (the correct one!) when you asked him how old he would be on his birthday!! The grin that came with it was priceless, and I couldn't get enough!!

Lissa & Rodney's son Brandon turns one on Monday the 8th, so it was only fitting that we have a birthday party camping style on Saturday! Lissa made 36 cupcakes for the kids to frost, and they had a blast. We sang Happy Birthday to Olin & Brandon and they were intrigued by the candles on their cupcakes. Brandon dug right in to his cupcake...and wouldn't give it up. Olin, however, wasn't so sure about his, and while he tasted frosting, is cousin won the cupcake eating contest!!

After presents and lunch, some of the crew headed out on the boat to crab, some napped, some headed to Depot Bay, some headed to the Marine Science Center, and Jen & I had a great visit around the fire, and had the pleasure of keeping Olin while his Mommy & Daddy got out on the boat.

Bill's friend from work stopped by along with his wife. They were too early to join in the crab fest...but we had a nice visit, and it was fun to meet Dick, who we hear so much about.

Everyone returned to camp by 6:30--our ever fearless crabbing Captain Evan did not let us down-he and his crew brought in 6 more Dungeness Crab, and several red rock crabs. Enough for us to have some great Corn Chowder, chocked full of crab meat!

We enjoyed a fire, lots of laughing and a toast to Eric as he begins another chapter in his life now that his divorce is final. He received a gift of Gentleman Jack, and the bottle was passed around, everyone having a capful (believe it or not, the cap is almost a perfect shot glass!) to toast Eric. Bill ran a shot to Mike, who was in visiting with Kathy who unfortunatley was having some issues with vertigo, and spent most of the day Saturday in bed. Everyone headed into bed well before 11PM as it was a big day.

Jen offered us her bed for the night...and although we had asked for her couch, she insisted on us having the bed, since Brady was not along. It was a great night sleep, and we appreciate you letting us bunk with you Jen! We hope you slept well! Jason came & snuggled with us for a short time...fun to have a little one back in bed!



Sunday brought fog that rolled out quickly, followed by sunshine with no wind!! Why is it always the day you have to go home that it is the nicest?? We enjoyed a fire cooked breakfast of Potatoes, sausage, bacon, onion, peppers & eggs. Bill did a great job, although, I'm sure he missed his cooking buddy Brady.

Brandon had his first haircut. He did great and sat very still. He looks so little boyish now...and of course that made Lissa sad. The year has passed so quickly.

We visited for awhile until we decided it was time to break camp. We all departed by 1ish, and while Bill & Ryan rode in the trailer (not enough room in the truck for 6--and yes, it's legal)--we had quite a suprise when we got to the dump station! Bill thought Mike & Kathy were behind us in line for the dump station....so when I opened the door for Bill, I laughed as he had dressed as the guy off of National Lampoon's Christmas Vaction when he was dumping his RV--only it was Bill who was surprised when he went around the back of the trailer to model his finery, when he realized it was not Mike & Kathy there!! Bill your efforts were not lost, as I got a great laugh, and I'm sure the couple behind us are still wondering about us!


Thanks to Evan and Tami for bringing the boat--to Evan for being such a great crabbing captain and for making Ryan feel like one of the guys, and including him so much...
Thanks to Mike & Kathy for the great corn chowder--Mike we are proud of you for putting it all together with verbal instruction only! (And Kathy--thankful you are feeling better)
Thanks to Mom & Dad for bailing us out with the lunch meat situation....
Thanks to Tam, Evan, Rod, Lissa, Jen (and yes Brady too) for the kid fixes...I loved every minute...
Thanks to Lissa for CUPCAKES!!
Thanks to Eric for enlightening our palates with Oysters & Clams over the fire...
Thanks to Kristin and Ryan for keeping the kids so occupied....
Thanks to Jen for allowing us her bed.....
Thanks to Bill for being the breakfast chef on Sunday morning...it was great....as was the incredible laugh at the dump station....your humor was not wasted...I loved it!