Saturday, September 9, 2017, 2:58 pm — On the way home from Kelso’s Highland Games, cousin L and I stopped at the Columbia Inn Restaurant, off I-5 in Kalama, Washington … Have passed this weather-worn sign for DECADES after the move from Tillamook to Olympia in 1963 …
On a return trip from Grandma and Grandpa’s Hockinson farm in the 60s, Mom mentioned … “Elvis ate here” … on his way to film It Happen at the World’s Fair in Seattle, September 4, 1962 … Actually, he called from the adjacent Columbia Inn Motel to order a room service breakfast.
Hidden behind the roses … “Famous Visitors to the Columbia Inn” … Elvis, Jack Benny …
Totem pole … gray Pacific Northwest afternoon … I-5, Columbia River to the left …
Interesting … but I wasn’t an Elvis fan … he was SO boring, in person, song and film … Jack Benny is MUCH more intriguing to a classic movies kid! … Have yet to discover when Jack was here …
To be fair … It Happened at the World’s Fair fair! … the historical / local / movie aspects are très intéressant …
- Heartbreak Motel in Kalama … Elvis Slept Here in 1962 — July 2008
- Elvis Behind the Scenes in Seattle at the 1962 World’s Fair – Part One — December 2008 … mentions Kalama
A memento of the fair from cousin Marcie … she lived up there … we were Tillamook County kids … When I think of the coin, it’s always tied to the Columbus Day Storm, Oct. 12, 1962 … night, wind, camping out in the hall between the bedrooms, East Beaver Creek house, candles … Did I receive it that day? …
Perkins and Teeny Tuxedo 