Monkeys in McMinnville, Oregon
Ever since I couldn't find Kendall's Monkey Bar in Nampa, Idaho back on Day Three, I've been thinking about Alf's. I was bound
and determined to find this place. Luckily, it wasn't too difficult to find. I did end up driving around their historic downtown
area a couple times before finally finding it though. No matter, I'm here!
My timing sucks, though. I try to order a pumpkin shake only to be told they only serve it "in season". Then why the fark is it
on the menu? Grrr. Because I hate chocolate, I settle for a vanilla cone.
One whole wall of the seating area is part of the monkeys' cage. I take a photo then mosey on closer to see if maybe one of the
monkeys will throw excrement at the window. Crappers! The monkey is sleeping under a blanket. I can just see his leg (or arm?) sticking
out from under. There are a few toys thrown about inside, but all in all, it's a pretty small and pathetic cage. I go outside to eat my
cone and watch the traffic whiz by, check to see if the monkey woke up (he didn't), and then I'm outta there.
Drift Creek Bridge in Lincoln City, Oregon
Where the hell is this bridge? I had directions which the woman at the campground told me were totally wrong.
She gives me directions then tries to sell me a map of the area. "Uh, no thanks," I say. "Besides, you say it's just
down the road, right?"
Of course it's not just down the road. I drive around and around and can't find it. Maybe Oregon could possibly
make some friggin' signs to help people find these "hidden gems" which are always somewhere out in the boonies?
Keee-rist!! Finally, I gave up for the night intending to go look for it the next day, which of course I didn't
have time to do.
Gracie's Sea Hag in Depoe Bay, Oregon
Facing the Pacific, Gracie's Sea Hag has been a popular spot with the locals for more than 35 years, especially
on Friday nights when Gracie's hosts an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. Unfortunately, I was there on a Monday or else I
would've had my face stuffed into the snowshoe crab legs platter.
Gracie Strom, the owner, occasionally pops in and plays musical bottles (see photo) and on weekends there's live
music so I imagine this place is really jumping on the weekends. Tonight, though, it was quiet w/just a few people
discussing whales, their RVs, stuff like that.
Gracie's is also renowned for its clam chowder so I order a cup along with the Neptune's Platter, which is a
smorgasboard of different seafoods. Everything is absolutely delicious and I stuff myself to the gills. I also leave my
waiter a 30% tip cos he was so great.
