I grew up in a town much like Astoria. And like most kids, I was pretty convinced that there was nothing to do in it, especially during the summer. The joys of small town living can escape the young—however, I had parents who were quick to point out all that we did have. Every, “Yeah, but we don’t have a mall,” was met with, “Yes, but we do have a lake.” They understood that malls and entertainment of their ilk were the offspring of concrete and cement; a jungle that seemed appealing, but in reality couldn’t compete with the wonder-world we had just outside our doors.
It was true, but I couldn’t see then how very fortunate I was to grow up in such a small place. For while it might have been short on all those big city luxuries I craved at 16, it was big on natural beauty and opportunities to explore. Exploring became the activity that would rule my childhood—chart my days until it was no longer fashionable and my interests started leaning toward the social.
I don’t regret such a childhood. It just took becoming an adult to realize how lucky I was to have a lake to swim, and mountains to hike, and small country lanes down which I could amble at my own pace. Typically, that was break-neck on my bike peddling as fast as my feet would take me to the grocery store in town for a cold pop. Yet, there were those moments where I would hike up the mountain (a dormant volcano!) behind my house until I found a large enough boulder far enough up the mountainside to take in the valley below. There, I would sit for hours pondering the mysteries of the universe. Or, at least the mystery of when I’d get my first kiss.
So, when it came time to pick a place to live, I knew that I wanted a natural playground for my child to explore. One of the things that attracted us to Astoria was just how much natural beauty this place has to offer, just how many exploring opportunities there are available. In fact, one of the reasons we bought the house we did, was that our boy would be able to see the river from his bedroom. When you think about it, how cool is that, to have such a view to inspire your dreams. I grew up in a world where the water dominated our lives and was such a part of all our memories, I wanted that for my child. One look at Astoria and we knew we’d found just such a place.
Even now, as Boy Wonder rearranges furniture in his room for a better view of the river, we tell him how charmed this life is, and his is to be living here. He tends to agree, “Moving to Oregon was the best thing we ever did!” I can’t help but marvel at the fact he doesn’t need to grow up to figure out just how beautiful this place truly is.
I agree. Astoria is quite wonderful and maybe some day, we’ll retire there. Olympia is very much the same only on a larger scale and my kids really can’t see how great it is to live here. I hope they can write just as you have.
Your son is lucky to appreciate what he has when he has it. He will do well.
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Yeah, I don’t know if the general unrest that most kids feel about their hometowns has hit him yet. I’m sure it’s likely too, I just hope he has enough memories of this great place to help him through that. I think it’s part of growing up. . . but I’m glad he loves his life and see how magical this place is. Too many people we know here complain about it—but I suspect that comes from not really having much of a choice about being here. ~W
Where did you grow up, Wende?
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I grew up HERE! 😀 ~W
Beautiful shot… we are fortunate to live here, indeed! 🙂
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We are, aren’t we?! And girl, I’m feeling today’s walk. 😀 ~W
How great that your son recognizes the beauty where he lives. I agree with your reply above, that his view of his hometown will probably change as he ages a bit, but it’s wonderful to know that he enjoys it now.
By the way, when we were in Astoria a year or two ago, I remember popping into a store (I think it was a thrift shop, but was a bit pricey, if I recall – so maybe a vintage store would be a more accurate name) that had a great selection of old Scandinavian items, I think. Funky men’s ties, fabulous mod fabrics, neat old dresses… I plan to make a trip out there once we’re settled – it’ll be my magical spot in Astoria! Hope to see you there.
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Hmm… we have one store that might fit that description, but I’m not really sure. Things change so much in this town. Making a go of it, in retail, is difficult here. Happy trails, drive safely, and we’ll see you when you get here! 😀 ~W
I love Astoria too. We stopped there on a long ago trip down the coast because my husband was stationed there for a year. He wanted to share his memories with the girls.
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Astoria is really changing lately–and for the better, I think. It feels pretty vibrant these days. 😀 ~W
I’ve lived in my “tiny town” for 27 years now…we all hated it when we grew up and couldn’t wait to leave…there was never anything to do…but, now as I am still here, I am sad every time I see more and more McMansions being built, and more people complaining about the weather, and more mountains being topped to make room for malls and stores. AND, they have relocated the antelope…twice!! ugghhh!
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I’m sorta surprised at the amount of harping that goes on about the “lack” of things here. I still haven’t learned to stop doing things last minute and often find myself out of luck–because I didn’t plan ahead to go into Portland or order from the internet (like the bunting situation or my need for walking shoes). But that doesn’t mean I want Walmart or REI in my backyard to fix the problem. I should learn to adapt, I think. But beyond even the lack of retail choices, people complain about the lack of Chuck-E-Cheese for their kids. Growing up where I did, we did those kinds of things: it meant a trip into the city, which made that trip special. The rest of the time, we were spoiled rotten with the lack of cement, and I’m really grateful for that! ~W
‘Tis a joy reading about your lovely life and your dearies. It gives me hope somehow. We love our town, too, and enjoy sharing the essence of it with the kiddos.
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Your town is lovely. I am fond of that area… when things would get too chaotic living in Seattle, but we couldn’t get out to the islands, we would often drive around your neck of the woods. And I still have fantasies of buying a wee farmstead just a bit north of you… 😀 ~W
I love the photos of the “tall ships” – the juxtaposition against the cargo vessel in the distance really makes one marvel. They look like toys – it is so hard to believe they were the ocean going ships of their day. It is a photo like that which reminds me of why I like living here. Thanks for keeping me grounded. 😉
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I know! They seem so large, but in reality, are really quite small. I can’t imagine going to sea on one of those huge tankers…the tall ships seem out of the question. ~W
“I’m proud of where I came from, I was born and raised in the Boondocks” is part of a song that rambles through my brain quite alot. Only about 1,200 people call Elgin home and I am one of the few. I indeed had a charmed childhood growing up in such a small place. Even the nearest fast food was 20 miles away. Shilo actually said to me the other day that she would have liked to grow up in a tiny little town like I did. That comment made me very proud once again of my roots. So good to hear that boywonder knows all ready what most of us learn later in life. We spend our teenage years wanting nothing more than to leave and our adult years just trying to get back!
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I’m afraid you’re right. I adore the city and I think had we never left, I’d be ok there now. But having left it for just a brief time while BW was a baby, I realized how much I prefer being in a small town with kids. It’s funny to see how much of the city edge my child has lost in two years. This child who could hail a taxi at 3 now gets jumpy crossing a city street in front of a bus. (even though he has right away and light in his favor!). ~W
I envy you so much! I miss the small town life and the big fields and apple orchards in which my brother and I roamed throughout our childhood. I don’t recall ever being bored…but then again, we moved before the teenage years when that type of ennui really develops 😉
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Yeah, I suspect there will be a move in our future when he hits high school age. As he’s home schooled now, there is going to be a point where he needs more than we can give him—and probably more than Astoria has to offer. We are looking at our options, but for now we’re loving it here. ~W
I would love to chat about this with you more–maybe IRL!? We are planning to homeschool our son, and I (as you know) am also planning to move to a small town. And I am concerned about those dreaded teenage years. Sure, it’s a long way off, and *I* think the small towns in Oregon have a ton to offer, but I didn’t grow up in one, and my husband, who did, has tried to explain the constricting, confining feeling of being a young adult in a small town. I’m not sure how to navigate that, because I’m pretty sure I’m not going to want to move back to the city once I (finally) escape. I’m curious–what options have you considered? ~A 🙂
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Absolutely! I’d love to chat with you about this. It’s more complicate than a comment field can hold, I’m afraid. ~W
so where were you when Hollywood came in to film “Goonies”?
I LOVE that movie! I grew up watching it annually and now my three little ones LOVE it!
I still find it interesting that those kids supposedly rode their bikes all the way from Astoria to Cannon Beach (Haystack Rock)!
and before dinner time!
okay, it IS just a movie.
I always wish I had more time to spend when we pass through there.
I agree about small towns-I grew up in one and the more it grows, the more disappointed I find myself. :-