Fort Stevens State Park

We are nicely settled in at Fort Stevens State Park, which is at the very tip of the north Oregon coast. It's a big park, with lots to see in the park and surrounding area, so it's a good thing we have reservations for a whole week. The picture of Ellie and I was taken at the wreck of the Peter Iredale , which happened in 1926. The Columbia River bar, where the river meets the Pacific Ocean, is apparently the most dangerous is the world. There are over 2000 wrecks here--it's called the "graveyard of the Pacific." Pieces of ships lost as early as the 1700's are still washing up on the beaches, including old cannons and keels. Yesterday we visited Astoria and the Columbia River Maritime Museum, which is the first nationally-ranked maritime museum. It was fascinating. We spent half a day there viewing all the exhibits, including a "lightship" (like a lighthouse, only a boat) that marked the entrance to the bar for 50 years. The other picture is the Astoria Column, which is at the top of a hill with a panoramic view of the town, river, ocean, and inland. It is carved and painted with scenes of area history from Indians to trappers to Lewis and Clark to steamboats on the river. Very beautifully done . There is a spiral staircase inside with 164 steps leading to the top (124 feet, I think). Unfortunately it was "closed for repairs"--they are putting in a new staircase and it won't be reopened until next spring. We had a great fish and chip lunch at "Ship's Inn" right on the waterfront and recommended by one of our guidebooks. The lady at the information desk at the museum recommended another place--The Bowpicker--right across from the museum as having the best fish and chips around, but it was a little take-out place with only outside seating and it was too cool and windy to make that fun, so we'll save that for our next trip to town.

There is still lots to see and do in Astoria and we will make at least one more trip back there, as it's only about 12 miles from where we are. It's a pretty little town, reminds me of a miniature San Francisco--very hilly and green, loads of charm, with beautiful Victorian homes. There's even a trolley that runs for several miles right along the waterfront that makes stops along the ways at historic sights. And it only cost $1 to ride!

Today is rainy. The weather forecast calls for showers today and rain tomorrow. I don't know the difference, but I suspect there isn't a lot. People here seem to be used to it--they are out walking and riding their bikes regardless. There is a nice paved hike/bike trail that goes all over the park , around the fort, and down to the beach.You can drive your car on the beach, and we did that to give Ellie some exercise--her favorite thing is to run alongside the car. She got lots of grins and waves from people in other cars on the beach. After I post this, we are heading into Seaside for a little explore. Seaside is the furthest south that Lewis and Clark got. There are the remains of a saltworks they constructed to retrieve salt from ocean water for their journey back in 1806. I'm hoping for a quilt shop and/or yarn shop too.