Sur La Mer (our 31st Anniversary) Part 23: Meeting Claire Hall

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This was a unique high-point on the trip.

Some of you, I hope, may have heard of Claire Hall. She's a county commissioner down in Lincoln County and someone I rather admire. A few years back she wrote a delightful, uniquely-Oregonesque political fantasy called McCallandia, which is an alternative history of of the post-Watergate years. The point of departure was when Gerald Ford was elevated to the vice-presidency; what if, instead of Ford, lawmakers chose our legendary governor, Tom McCall? The story told was full-on Oregon, her read of McCall's personality was flawless, and the writing impressively accomplished. Not only did Ken Kesey make an appearance, but so did James Cloutier's cartoon character Hugh Wetshoe (via illustration). The work was made tour de force by a chapter perfectly pastiching a Rolling Stone article where Hunter S. Thompson went out to the McCall ranch to do some fishing and shooting.

McCallandia is required reading for any of you who want to know why McCall is such a beloved memory here in Oregon. It ought to have taken the state by storm, truly, and I'll go to my grave telling people to get a copy. McCall's legacy not only informs Oregon's environmental laws and legacy it also influenced Claire's career; just like McCall, she followed a career as a reporter into a greater legacy as an elected official doing the very best she can for all she works for.

How could I not admire someone who was inspired by Tom McCall and who made that love of their community real by serving?

A few days previous I messaged her to see if she wouldn't mind saying 'hi' in person and I was delighted to see her say yes; so it was, this day, in Newport, at the Fred Meyer, we met in person over coffee.

I must say I had a fine time getting to know her, as much as the occasion allowed, in person. You people in Lincoln County, you're lucky to have her during these times of great dexterity and Covid and things of that nature. She's smart and bright and kind and I'm just thrilled that anyone who writes that well can be a friend of mine. 

Thanks, Claire. You're one-of-a-kind.