We have spent the past two weeks here in beautiful Astoria, Oregon, at the mouth of the Columbia River. Since we had never been here before, there were a lot of things we wanted to see. Our first stop was the Astoria Column that overlooks the city and the river. We climbed the 164 steps to the top and were rewarded with the view in the first picture below. We then road the Waterfront Trolley over to Mo's restaurant. Mo's is a legend along the Oregon Coast and is known for its tasty Clam Chowder. Of course, Josie passed on the chowder when she saw they had grilled shrimp, but I pigged out on the Chowder with shrimp in a sourdough bread bowl.
On both of the Sundays we were here, we visited the downtown market and loaded up on homemade pies, cookies, and bread. We had crab cocktail for lunch from one of the many food trucks at the market.
Our friend Gloria told us we had to try the Fish and Chips from Bowpickers, an old boat converted into a food stand. There is always a line and we waited for about a half hour, but it was well worth the wait. They use white albacore tuna and it is some of the best fish and chips we have ever had.
On another day, we took the trolley to the old Bumble Bee Tuna Cannery on a pier over the water. We toured the museum and then had another crab cocktail and washed it down at the Rogue Public House with one of our favorite beers, a Double Chocolate Stout. We returned a few days later for another beer but this time we drove out on to the pier.
On another day, we had a great meal with a few good beers at the Buoy Brewery, which is located in an old cannery on the waterfront. On the Fourth of July we visited the Astoria Brewery for another great meal.
On both of the Sundays we were here, we visited the downtown market and loaded up on homemade pies, cookies, and bread. We had crab cocktail for lunch from one of the many food trucks at the market.
Our friend Gloria told us we had to try the Fish and Chips from Bowpickers, an old boat converted into a food stand. There is always a line and we waited for about a half hour, but it was well worth the wait. They use white albacore tuna and it is some of the best fish and chips we have ever had.
On another day, we took the trolley to the old Bumble Bee Tuna Cannery on a pier over the water. We toured the museum and then had another crab cocktail and washed it down at the Rogue Public House with one of our favorite beers, a Double Chocolate Stout. We returned a few days later for another beer but this time we drove out on to the pier.
On another day, we had a great meal with a few good beers at the Buoy Brewery, which is located in an old cannery on the waterfront. On the Fourth of July we visited the Astoria Brewery for another great meal.
We took road trips to various sites in the area. Our first one was over the Astoria Bridge to Cape Disappointment State Park into Washington State. From the lighthouse we had great views of the coast down to the mouth of the Columbia. The next day we visited Fort Clatsop National Park where Lewis and Clark spent the winter before heading back east. The Western Azaleas were in bloom and they gave off an almost gardenia type of scent.
On another day we drove down to Ecola State Park just north of the coastal city of Cannon Beach. We had birded this park four years ago with our friends Bob and Kathy Loomis. After taking in the sites, and getting a great view of the coast and the Tillamook Lighthouse, we went into Cannon Beach and checked out the stores on Main Street. We had a great lunch of Shrimp Tacos at the Public Coast Brewery. A few nights later we went to see a Musical at the Coaster Theater in Cannon Beach. We then drove north to Fort Stevens State Park which is located on the South Jetty of the Columbia River. We were surprised to see many Elk roaming freely throughout the park.
I was able to get in a round of golf at the Gearhart Golf Club, founded in 1891, it is said to be the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi. A few days later I played the Highlands Golf Course and had to dodge the elk tracks.
Tomorrow we travel further north to Olympia, Washington.
On another day we drove down to Ecola State Park just north of the coastal city of Cannon Beach. We had birded this park four years ago with our friends Bob and Kathy Loomis. After taking in the sites, and getting a great view of the coast and the Tillamook Lighthouse, we went into Cannon Beach and checked out the stores on Main Street. We had a great lunch of Shrimp Tacos at the Public Coast Brewery. A few nights later we went to see a Musical at the Coaster Theater in Cannon Beach. We then drove north to Fort Stevens State Park which is located on the South Jetty of the Columbia River. We were surprised to see many Elk roaming freely throughout the park.
I was able to get in a round of golf at the Gearhart Golf Club, founded in 1891, it is said to be the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi. A few days later I played the Highlands Golf Course and had to dodge the elk tracks.
Tomorrow we travel further north to Olympia, Washington.
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