Captain Gray's Port of Play

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 2, 2012

One of the great places for kids and their families in this land of constant rain is the Captain Gray's Port of Play, where I attended a birthday party on December 2nd. 

This is not a small play area. The entire gymnasium of the old Gray School has been given over to one purpose: kids having fun (and parents and grandparents not losing them). The school was named after Captain Robert Gray, an early sea captain explorer who braved the river bar and named the Columbia River.

People of all colors and stripes (or spots) are welcome.

The place is popular for birthday parties, and there were two going on the day I was there.

In this climate it is very important to keep the guests dry.

I especially enjoyed talking with this guest about her favorite color. Can you guess what it is?

And if anyone has had enough playing, they can always retire to the Nautical Suite for a bowl of Cheerios and a nap.

Captain Gray's Port of Play has its own Facebook Page.

Astoria, Oregon, Daily Photo is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Fencing along the River Walk at 6th Street and Sad News about Star of the Sea School Closure after 113 Years

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 25, 2011

When, in a blog comment, Woody expressed surprise that I could get close enough to Gunderson's and Number 10 Sixth Street to take these pictures, I explained that I'd been standing right up against the chain-link fence with my phone camera. As you can see, the River Walk and trolley are still available for use, and the fencing keeps people out, but not that far away from the buildings. I hear that this is a prime subject for photographers these days.

Speaking of sad stories and buildings, or in this case institutions and the quality of education in our area, I've just heard the news that St. Mary, Star of the Sea School (which I posted here and here the other day completely coincidentally) will be closing at the end of this term after a history of one hundred and thirteen years.

I have heard only excellent things about this school. Kids seem actually to enjoy attending. (When is the last time I heard that about a school, or maybe I'm prejudiced from my early years? I had many good teachers, but I felt restricted. When I hear that kids are loving their school, I have to think that something special is going on.) We had comments on this blog's Facebook page about people who had attended in years past and loved the school. The classes are held to about 15 students, and kids have a good time learning. The issue, of course, is money. I know one 10-year-old who is greatly upset by this announcement.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

School Entrance

 Astoria, Oregon ~ January 23, 2010

St. Mary, Star of the Sea School (see yesterday's post) also has an unusual doorway. Below is another photo of the facade from a more typical angle. The blue strip on the top of the lintel says, "For God and Country."

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

St. Mary, Star of the Sea School

Astoria, Oregon ~ January 23, 2010

Diagonally across the street from yesterday's Victorian apartment house is St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic School, housed in a notably unusual building at 1411 Grand Avenue.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.