Everyone Loves a Parade

A sea lion under the glass floor at Bouy Beer Company 

My pirate friends at Bouy Beer. Parade mates we are, aye.

Watching the regatta from Mo’s Chowder House 

Some of our team gathering before the big parade 

Riding the parade route 

 Clowning around before the parade  I got my wish and we were invited to take part in The Astoria Regatta Parade. All route leaders and bikers participated. We all wore our MS cycling jerseys and two of our route leaders carried the large MS Banner. We had a loud speaker playing ‘Bicycle Race’ by Queen. Many riders handed out information about MS. I had the great job of throwing out candy to the children that lined the parade route. The parade was huge which really surprised us. We were placed 19th in line with 45 more group participants behind us. It was nice to finish early and watch the rest of the parade. Everyone thought it was a worthwhile endeavor and I believe we’ll receive some donations because of our effort. In the afternoon I went to the Rogue Tap Room where they have a laundry in the back. There’s nothing better than drinking a beer while getting your laundry done. After laundry I headed to the heart of town where the Regatta was in full swing. Boats paraded up and down the Columbia River and people cheered from the river bank and from the restaurants and breweries on the piers. I was lucky enough to get a seat in Mo’s Restaurant that allowed me to see all of the action. After a light meal I went to Bouy Beer Company and had a free beer and took pictures of the sea lions that hang out under the brewery. You can view them through a glass section of flooring. I was impressed with the beer and the patrons. I had my picture taken with some of the regatta’s pirates. One looked amazingly like Jack Sparrow from the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean. Today was definitely a fun day but tomorrow we have a 71 mile day along the rolling Oregon Coast.