Saturday, 1 July 2017
We took advantage of much of what our town had to offer today. Earlier in the week, while weeding the port gardens to get them spiffing for today’s events, I had had that feeling of being smitten with love for this little town. The first Saturday in July is always special here, with probably the biggest Saturday market of the year followed by a fireworks extravaganza at the port in the evening.
Ilwaco Saturday Market
Knowing that the Pink Poppy Bakery booth would be at the market today is part of what drew us down there. (Baker Maddy is pregnant and therefore not doing every week of market this summer.)
As I walked home, I sadly contemplated the really bad pruning in the Lost Garden.
At home, I fortified myself with a slice of Maddy’s pound cake in order to accomplish an afternoon gardening project. But that’s all there is about gardening in this post. We’re going to jump straight to 8 PM and the evening’s events.
Fireworks at the Port of Ilwaco
The evening’s festivities started with a special bonus: a performance of renowned Astoria band Holiday Friends in the courtyard at Salt Hotel.
Darling Jenna made both me and Allan delicious tacos, saving us from standing in line at the popular food booths that had stayed on after Saturday market.
Allan walked out on the docks and gleaned some lovely photos of evening at the marina.
I found my favourite spot for taking fireworks photos, one of the bridges to the docks.
High tide made the reflections especially good this year.
Allan, more agile and adventurous and unlikely to fall off the dock in the dark, ranged from the port office deck to the docks to get his photos.
After the fireworks comes the traffic jam…
We are among the lucky ones because we only have to walk three blocks to get home.
Tomorrow: back to the usual subject with our gardening weekend.
Wow, there’s a part of me that wishes I lived where you live. Love the Market, and I’d go there if I lived there. Like you, I feel sad about the Lost Garden and the house that sits in it. The garden holds a lot of potential. I love older houses. I’m sure the bouncy floor could be fixed, but of course fixing it wouldn’t be free. (We reinforced an upstairs floor in our former 1902 house because it vibrated A LOT when the washing machine went on spin.) Great firework photos!
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Thanks! Yes, I would love the house to be saved. The pruning last year was tragic. I saw it happening as we walked or drove by.
I keep meaning to ask if your moniker has anything to do with hobbits.
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The Hairy Toe Gardener comes from an American folktale that has been retold with a lot of variation. In the children’s book of the late ’70’s, a little old lady finds a hairy toe in her garden when she’s digging. (The story goes on.) Today’s version of the tale is more graphic and far less cute. A woman is digging in the woods and finds a hairy toe. She thinks it would be good in a stew. (Yuk!) Of course the hairy toe’s owner comes looking for his toe in both versions. Am always digging up stuff in the garden. So far, no hairy toes!
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Oh my goodness. I hope I never find one!
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I like the smoked salmon chowder, too. All the port gardens look great! Salt sure has become a huge presence in Ilwaco–cheers to Julez and Laila.
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Salt is a great boon to the town and the port.
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A fine place to live (and well looked after too).
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Reblogged this on Our Ilwaco.
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