EAT, DRINK, SLEEP BRIDGE

On the ride from Portland to Seaside The Kodiak Perspective met two other travelers who were on their way to play bridge, one from Honolulu Hawaii, and one from Chicago Illinois. The game has such a powerful draw that people will travel thousands of miles to play.

Amtrak arrived at Seaside after the first night festivities had started, not that the Perspective was in any condition to play after the trip from Alaska, so after checking in to the Seashore Inn, The Perspective strolled over to the playing site and found Kodiak citizen Stosh enjoying the opening session. We agreed to meet in the morning for a game (9am).

Taking a walk around town reveals that Seaside closes up at 9pm in the off season, finding dinner proved a challange, fortunately there are places with bar menus, and The Perspective enjoyed a bowl of Chowder.

Nine am came early after a nights rest, Stosh and the Perspective enjoyed a session together, playing respectably and earning some "red" points. In a bridge game, points are awarded for playing well enough. At bridge clubs the points are "black" or regular, at tournaments you can get "color" for the strength of the game as well as the number of sessions to earn them.

The early game ends too close to the afternoon start to get away for lunch, so back to back sessions means that your brain is active and engaged for a long period. The Perspective finds a partner and a pair for a team event, but we are knocked out of the competition as are half of the teams entered.

After dinner at Guido's and Vito's, antipasto, the evening session takes its toll on the ageing crowd, as some people are caught napping at the table. The Perspective notices his own lapses, and knows that tomorrow will be easier.