Independence Day in a Small Harbor Town

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July 5th 2013

Published: July 5th 2013

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NancyHaverty

Small Harbor Town

Quaint town of fishermen & artists

Today was the Fourth of July!

We spent the day in the little town of Port Orford...population of 1,200 people. Port Orford is the western most city in the continental U.S.

The town, nestled along the coast, is a working fishing village (crab, cod, salmon, and sea urchins). The fishing boats are lifted in and out of the water each day by giant cranes at the dolly dock. There are only 2 docks of this type in the U.S. and 6 in the world.

Our day started with a big parade through town. Although the sun was out, the cold wind is always blowing. We saw fire trucks, horses, motorcycles, pioneers, youth groups... and even a couple that just got married. For a tiny town, we were impressed by the length of the parade. It was great fun to watch as we chatted with the locals.

It seems the town has a combination of the old timers (the fishermen families) and the new residents (artistic types). But they work together quite well on community projects.

We then went to the community BBQ. Choice of salmon or sausage on a roll or shrimp on lemon rice. We

Dolly Dock

No boat docking...winch picks up the BIG fishing boat, puts it on a trailer. Only 2 in the U.S. (here & LA)

were entertained by a GREAT jazz band.

Then off to the beach to watch a dingy race. The gun sounded, and the scramble started to get the boats into the water, row out to the buoy, battle the wind and the waves, then back to the beach....3 times. Most of the boats were just ordinary old rowboats, but one team had a sleek racing dingy and of course they won.

We spent the rest of the day exploring the beach and climbing the rocks. We drove to Cape Blanco to visit the lighthouse and the home of one of the original settlers in the area.

We had dinner at the "Crazy Norwegian" restaurant. After several "double barrel" ales, and another seafood meal, we went off to see the fireworks. All 1,200 of the local residents were there. While we were waiting for the fireworks to begin, a brush fire broke out on the hillside. We nervously watched the flames light up the night and get closer and closer. Of course our firemen rushed over to put out the fire. When they returned the fireworks finally began.

What an amazing celebration of American Independence Day in a