Fish and Chips

 I came into Oregon at Brookings Harbor, along Highway 101, grooving on the spectacular scenery.  Down by the shore I came across a fish and chips sign and knew what I wanted for supper, but it was only 3:30 and I wasn't hungry.  I would drive on to Gold Beach and get my fish and chips there.

But there were no fish and chips stands at Gold Beach.  The chamber of commerce visitors' center could only suggest a sit down meal and a fancy restaurant.  Cloth tablecloths and fish and chips do not go hand in hand.  What was needed was some kind of ocean fish dripping with grease through a piece of newspaper.

I went to the laundromat to do my laundry and think about what I wanted to eat.  There in the parking lot, a girl was hanging swimsuits on a line strung from car door to car door.  Hmmm, I thought.  Where have I seen that before?

"Have you found a good fish and chips place?"  I asked her.

"No," she said, "my mates and I were just wondering about that."

Australian, I knew it!  We began to compare great pieces of cod, memories of walking down streets with our friends munching on grease and fish.  But we came up with no place to eat.

They took off, heading north.  New people, locals, came into the laundromat.  I asked them about fish and they pointed to a Mexican place across the street.  "They serve fish, too."

I went over and sure enough, the little snack shop had exactly what was required.   So I ate and did the laundry and was satisfied...except I felt guilty eating my fish and chips without those Aussies.

Fast forward to today.  I was still grooving north on Highway 101 enjoying the scenery when I spotted a sign:  Crazy Old Norwegian Fish and Chips.  I pulled over and went in to order a sandwich.

"By any chance, did some Australians come in here last night?" 

"How did you know?" 

So now I feel better. 

P.S.  I have problems finding Internet access the past two days.  I am getting way behind on this journey so will just tell the stories as they come and do some remedial storytelling later on this year.