Astoria, Oregon

Astoria is located in northwestern Oregon at the mouth of the Columbia River. It is a beautiful, quaint, small town. The Lewis and Clark expedition wintered in Astoria before their return trip. Summer is the time to enjoy outdoor activities. Winter visits are for storm watchers. We stayed at a very nice RV Park on a golf course. This is our view from the front window.
 

The view was pretty much panoramic with green all around



The Maritime Museum was filled with stories of the Columbia Bar where the River meets the Pacific Ocean

The dioramas at the museum made me seasick

This boat came to the Oregon shore after the Japanese tsunami. The US government traced its owner from the registration number on the side. The 71 yr old fisherman was not interested in having it returned.

If you like fish and chips, stop at the Bowpicker. It is situated on the roadside across from the Maritime Museum. The serve fish and chips either in a full order (5) or half order (3). They are unique in that they are made from fresh tuna with bread crumbs. Excellent.

Happy birthday to me!

Tim took me to dinner on Pier 12 at Baked Alaska. I had THE best scallops ever. No picture of my meal. I just ate it. They were amazing though, a large diver sea scallop on a slice of poached pear, garnished with radish sprouts and an asparagus. Delicious. The view from Baked Alaska was just a scrumptious.

The next day we rode out bikes on the trail along the Columbia River

This is just a reminder not to be a dingus and get your bike tire stuck in the railroad tracks

The commercial ships that come through the channel first have a ship pilot to get them through the bar where the outgoing sand blocks the mouth of the river. Then a river pilot comes through to guide the ship into port. The boat below is approaching the ship. The pilot must scurry from one to the other while moving. It is a dangerous, albeit, profitable job.

Driving over the Astoria Bridge into Washington at low tide

The Astoria Column is high atop the hills

View of the Astoria Bridge from the Astoria Column. You can almost see the sand bars. This small town is beautiful. You can feel their pride in the way they keep their homes and landscapes so tidy.

Artwork on the Column

Northwestern Coast of Oregon - Cannon Beach

On the road from central Oregon to the coast, we stopped in Albany to visit friends. We went for Mexican dinner and I was introduced to a CoronaRita. Or maybe it was called a MargaRona. Regardless, it was pretty darned tasty.

The four of us drove to McMinnville to see the Spruce Goose. It is Howard Hughes' monstrous airplane built entirely of birch wood. It flew only one time but continued to be staffed for many years in the event Mr Hughes decided to use it.

This is the view of the cargo hold. The beach balls were Mr. Hughes idea should the plane require more buoyancy in the event of an accident on the water. Prior to the test flight the beach balls were replaced with styrofoam.

There is a water park next door. You can see the tube slides coming out of the planes doors.

We enjoyed our personal tour of the beautiful countryside with Neil and Shirley. The rolling hills and farmlands were beautiful. We couldn't figure out what the commercial fields of clover looking flowers were until Neil researched it to be "Meadow Foam".

These are the vineyards of Willamette Winery

Dennis and Jackie were travelling through and spent the night at the RV park we were in. They did some wine tasting with us. 

Jill drove up from Grants Pass to join us also. Willamette Winery is stunning. As you drive the I-5 corridor, stop in. It's between Salem and Albany.

When we arrived on the coast it was warm, but overcast. Pictures, especially of the sky and the water do not look as lovely as when they are blue.

This is the promenade at Seaside. Touristy with a lot for families to enjoy.

We stayed in Cannon Beach, walking distance to Haystack Rock. This view is looking north towards Ecola State Park.

Oregon has several famous bridges and scenic by-ways. The pull-out gave information of how this cliff hugging road was constructed.

Anytime I see my name - and it's famous, instead of infamous - I get a little excited.

It was his first name, not his last name, but close enough for me.

A protective sea grass path leads to the beach in Manzanita

There we watched kite-surfers ripping through the waves

Our favorite place was Ecola State Beach. We went twice in the short time we were here. The views looking over the Pacific Ocean are incredible. Notice Haystack Rock at low tide and the high tide water mark on the sand.

We viewed the tide pools at the Park

 The Lewis and Clark Expedition came to Cannon Beach froim Astoria because they had heard of a whale that was beached. They made the 30 mile journey south to trade for blubber and oil. Ecola means whale in the Native American language.

We watched some early morning surfers.

 

Although 50 miles away from Tillamook, this is named Tillamook Lighthouse.

The Lewis & Clark National Park comprises several historic areas. This is Fort Clatsop where the expedition wintered after reaching the Pacific Ocean.

Where the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean meet in Astoria is called "the Graveyard of the Pacific" because it is studded with thousands of shipwrecks. 

Our view from South Jetty. The jetty's were built to protect the mouth of the river from erosion and influence the current. Our weather today was mild, but passage could change to treacherous within minutes due to wind and wave conditions.

Shipwreck at Fort Stevens