Nehalem, Manzanita, Cannon Beach, Seaside, Astoria, and Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula—all new territory. Just think of all those libraries, bookstores, museums, and tourist “hot spots” just waiting for Crossings: McCullough’s Coastal Bridges.  I’m positively salivating! I know, I know. Be realistic! It’s winter, it’s hard times for many small businesses. I must not get my hopes up—but I do!  I always do!

Dick and I signed lots of books and I loaded my car. Then I spent a part of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday preparing. I called every one of the above that I could think of, gave estimated time of arrival, and sent each one PR info and a book photo by e-mail. Then, I made arrangements for folks to come and feed and give attention to my cat, Sir Groucho, checked out audio books from the library to listen to on the trip, and took my car to the dealership in Eugene to be serviced. (It’s going on 15 years old, but, hey, it’s a Camry, and I expect a few more years!) Finally, I let my friends in Astoria, that I would be staying with, know the trip was still on, checked the weather report, and packed.

Friday––I left only an hour late with lunch in a cooler and my binocs in the car—never know when I’ll want to see a certain bird or whale up close.  I had boxes of books on the back seat as well as in the trunk and my PR info, business cards, and invoices in my easy-to-carry folder on the passenger seat beside me. The weather was spectacular—not sure I’ve ever seen the ocean more beautiful.

Tillamook––This was new territory in July, so I was pleased to deliver six more books to the Tillamook Air Museum and one more to Rainy Day Books.

Wheeler/Mohler/Nehalem––Ahh! New territory! One business in Wheeler turned out not to carry books after all, and one in Nehalem said, “Not now.” But the Nehalem Bay Winery on Highway 53 in Mohler bought one to have on hand for customers to peruse while in their tasting room. Frank Stone was the charming gentleman on duty.

Manzanita––Speaking of charming, that describes this town as well as the Leaf and Cloud Bookstore where I sold three copies.

Cannon Beach––This is one of my favorite towns to visit on the coast, but today the folks I needed to see were not in or on vacation so I received a “Come back on Monday.” and a “Come back in May.”

Seaside—The Seaside Public Library bought one and I may come back for a presentation. And Beach Books, a delightful bookstore with the resident cat in the window, bought four.

I arrived in Astoria at Jim and Diane’s place about 5 p.m. It had been a couple of years since we had seen each other, so over the weekend, there was lots of catching up, good food, good wine, and getting to know their two dachshunds.

Saturday––We all went separate ways during the afternoon.

Astoria––I went to the library and missed the person I needed to see. And since they’re closed on Monday, I’ll call after returning home. I stopped at Lucy’s Books and sold two copies. This bookstore has wonderful ambiance and above-and-beyond customer service. At the other places I visited, the person I needed to see wasn’t in. I’ll try again Monday.

That evening I treated Jim and Diane to dinner at T. Paul’s Supper Club in Astoria and the food was terrific and the decor worth checking out. The dinner was a thank you for such wonderful hospitality all weekend.

Sunday––The three of us took off across the Astoria–Megler Bridge to the Long Beach Peninsula on the Washington side with a couple of boxes of books. The fishing village of Ilwaco was the first stop. Tucked right down on the waterfront, Time Enough Books is a most attractive bookstore where I sold two books. This was the only stop I had planned on the peninsula.

The Long Beach Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, though, gave us many suggestions and marked them on a map. In Seaview, we stopped at a couple of places that did not carry books after all and then had lunch at the 42^nd Street Café. Good food and free post cards, which always appeals to me since I send post cards to a special friend wherever I go anywhere. Then onto Long Beach and Ocean Park where two stops turned out to be not appropriate for the book, four other places were closed until April, and two others  I needed to call after returning home.

Monday—I packed up, said  goodbye to Diane, and headed down the hill into downtown Astoria.

Astoria—There I received one “No, thank you.” and two “Come back in May.”

Fort Stevens—My host for the weekend, Jim, just happened to be the person I needed to see at the museum in the historic area and he bought 12 books. Fantastic! He also showed me a couple of changes inside and outside of the museum since my last visit.  And I may end up doing a presentation there in the future.

Fort Clatsop––I met with the person in charge at the visitor center and left a book with her. I’ll receive a call soon. In May I’ll either pick up the book or drop off a few more, depending on how they decide.

Cannon Beach––The person I actually met with turned out not to be the one who orders books, so I called after I returned home and sent more info.

I ate lunch before leaving Cannon Beach and then headed south on Highway 101 about 2 p.m. Then I stopped at Tillamook Cheese––not to sell books––but to eat an ice cream cone. They do carry Crossings, but had just ordered several copies a couple of weeks earlier. From there, I headed home with no more stops and arrived about 6:30 p.m.

Bottom line: Spectacular weather all four days, lovely visit with friends, and sold 34 books in seven new venues with an additional eight to ten more venues possible when I return in May. With this weekend’s sales, I’ve passed 750 books sold from the second printing and that triggers a commission check. So what’s not to be happy about!

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Crossings: McCullough’s Coastal Bridges can be yours for $24.95 plus $3.99 shipping. Order from Pacific Publishing at http://www.connectflorence.com or pacpub@oregonfast.net. It is also available on the coast in bookstores, museums, and gift shops; in Eugene at the airport, the historical museum, and several bookstores; and in Portland at Powell’s and the Oregon Historical Society.

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Judy’s PowerPoint presentations with book sales/signings:

February 19, Sunday, 3 p.m.––Port Orford Library, Port Orford (1421 Oregon Street [Hwy 101])

March 29, Thursday, 7 p.m.––Coos Bay Public Library, Coos Bay (525 Anderson Avenue)

Judy guest on TV show:

March 13, Tuesday, 2:30––The Author’s Forum, a talk show with host Dr. Veronica Esagui, chiropractic physician, author, and public speaker, on Portland area public access television (channel TBA)