Astoria, Oregon
Astoria’s shadowy early morning features came into view as the Sea Lion tied up beside the Columbia River Maritime Museum. By 9:00 AM guests were touring this world-class facility with a Museum docent. Besides being exposed to the “Graveyard of the Pacific” story, i.e. Columbia River mouth, Astoria’s long affair with Chinook and Clatsop Indians, salmon canning, fishing, forest products and the U.S. Coast Guard were described.
Fort Clatsop, the Lewis & Clark 1805-1806 winter home, offered guests a look at the almost-completed new fort (the previous structure burned in an accidental fire a year ago). Other attractions: a film about the Corps; hiking trails; one of the region’s best bookstores.
Following lunch, guests had several choices: 1) free time in the charming riverside town of Astoria; 2) an excursion to Cape Disappointment State Park on the Washington side of the river; 3) a motor coach visit to Coxcomb Hill and the Astoria Column. Those who crossed the Astoria-Megler bridge to Cape Disappointment saw the nearby lighthouse and revitalized Interpretive Center and gazed over the river’s mouth. Those who drove to the Astoria Column had a clear view of the widest part of the river, the 4.1 mile long Astoria-Megler Bridge, the shipping channel, the Coast Range – including 4,000-foot Saddle Mountain, and endless Pacific waters. Both excursions were narrated and hosted by Sea Lion historians.
Although the day was full, several guests climbed aboard Astoria’s riverside trolley (basking/barking sea lions at the western end), visited the nearby Clatsop County Heritage Museum, and attended a talk at the Maritime Museum by Coast Guard author Martha LaGuardia-Kotite who described her book So Others May Live.
Captain’s dinner and a round of applause for the crew and staff ended the day.
Astoria’s shadowy early morning features came into view as the Sea Lion tied up beside the Columbia River Maritime Museum. By 9:00 AM guests were touring this world-class facility with a Museum docent. Besides being exposed to the “Graveyard of the Pacific” story, i.e. Columbia River mouth, Astoria’s long affair with Chinook and Clatsop Indians, salmon canning, fishing, forest products and the U.S. Coast Guard were described.
Fort Clatsop, the Lewis & Clark 1805-1806 winter home, offered guests a look at the almost-completed new fort (the previous structure burned in an accidental fire a year ago). Other attractions: a film about the Corps; hiking trails; one of the region’s best bookstores.
Following lunch, guests had several choices: 1) free time in the charming riverside town of Astoria; 2) an excursion to Cape Disappointment State Park on the Washington side of the river; 3) a motor coach visit to Coxcomb Hill and the Astoria Column. Those who crossed the Astoria-Megler bridge to Cape Disappointment saw the nearby lighthouse and revitalized Interpretive Center and gazed over the river’s mouth. Those who drove to the Astoria Column had a clear view of the widest part of the river, the 4.1 mile long Astoria-Megler Bridge, the shipping channel, the Coast Range – including 4,000-foot Saddle Mountain, and endless Pacific waters. Both excursions were narrated and hosted by Sea Lion historians.
Although the day was full, several guests climbed aboard Astoria’s riverside trolley (basking/barking sea lions at the western end), visited the nearby Clatsop County Heritage Museum, and attended a talk at the Maritime Museum by Coast Guard author Martha LaGuardia-Kotite who described her book So Others May Live.
Captain’s dinner and a round of applause for the crew and staff ended the day.
