Astoria
This morning we arrived at Astoria, just a few miles from the mouth of the Columbia River; a river that travels some 1,243 miles before tasting the saltwater of the Pacific Ocean. When docking along the shipping channel, it becomes apparent that this river that played such a vital role in Lewis and Clark’s Expedition continues to play a significant role in the economy of this region today. Along the banks of this busy river one can see skeletons of the past. Deteriorating wood pilings mark the footprint of many of the canneries and fishing docks that dominated this community in the late 1800’s. Visits to a variety of museums today increased our perception and understanding of some of the skeletons of the past as well as how the area was transformed. The Corps of Discovery and their courageous winter ordeal was brought closer to reality with our visit to Fort Clapsop. An image of Lewis and Clark’s travels along the estuary and the shore of the Pacific was reinforced by an afternoon trip to Cape Disappointment. In route we passed the very wind-exposed site where Station Camp was located. On arriving at Cape Disappointment, some guests enjoyed the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and a walk to the lighthouse. Others strolled through the new Conference Project at Baker Bay and Waikiki Beach. The latter is where William Clark and a small group of the Corps first walked in the waters of the Pacific. We too enjoyed a walk in the sands of this historic beach.
We arrived back in time for a seaward cruise to the Columbia River Bar. Although breezy, we were rewarded with close encounters with brown pelicans. The afternoon was concluded with the Captain’s Party: a small gesture of thanks for such a splendid journey that exposed guests to some 465 miles of the Columbia and Snake River Country; a river system and landscape that Lewis and Clark would be challenged to comprehend today.
This morning we arrived at Astoria, just a few miles from the mouth of the Columbia River; a river that travels some 1,243 miles before tasting the saltwater of the Pacific Ocean. When docking along the shipping channel, it becomes apparent that this river that played such a vital role in Lewis and Clark’s Expedition continues to play a significant role in the economy of this region today. Along the banks of this busy river one can see skeletons of the past. Deteriorating wood pilings mark the footprint of many of the canneries and fishing docks that dominated this community in the late 1800’s. Visits to a variety of museums today increased our perception and understanding of some of the skeletons of the past as well as how the area was transformed. The Corps of Discovery and their courageous winter ordeal was brought closer to reality with our visit to Fort Clapsop. An image of Lewis and Clark’s travels along the estuary and the shore of the Pacific was reinforced by an afternoon trip to Cape Disappointment. In route we passed the very wind-exposed site where Station Camp was located. On arriving at Cape Disappointment, some guests enjoyed the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and a walk to the lighthouse. Others strolled through the new Conference Project at Baker Bay and Waikiki Beach. The latter is where William Clark and a small group of the Corps first walked in the waters of the Pacific. We too enjoyed a walk in the sands of this historic beach.
We arrived back in time for a seaward cruise to the Columbia River Bar. Although breezy, we were rewarded with close encounters with brown pelicans. The afternoon was concluded with the Captain’s Party: a small gesture of thanks for such a splendid journey that exposed guests to some 465 miles of the Columbia and Snake River Country; a river system and landscape that Lewis and Clark would be challenged to comprehend today.
