The Lower Columbia
It was another beautiful morning as we arrived in Astoria and tied up to the dock. Following breakfast we joined our docent, Byron, who took us through the newly remodeled Columbia River Maritime Museum that gave us a good foundation on the layers of history of the lower Columbia. Later we explored the lands of Fort Clatsop on a very unlike “Lewis and Clark” day. WE had brilliant sunshine instead of the far more normal clouds and drizzle. The afternoon was quite the adventure as we observed where the river meets the ocean under the headland and lighthouse called Cape Disappointment. The birders amongst us were pleased with several species of seabirds including brown pelicans and Heerman’s gulls and then it was into the narrow and scenic channel to the small fishing community of Ilwaco. This was the first afternoon of the town’s weekend-long Cranberry Festival, so some of us participated in this while others went to the nearby North Head Lighthouse for an awesome view of the Pacific Ocean and a beautiful hike through the coastal temperate rainforest, following in the footsteps of William Clark who explored the Longbeach Peninsula. Sunset found us turning our stern into the sun and the Pacific Ocean to start our journey to Portland where we will soon say farewell to the Sea Bird and reflect upon the numerous memories that have been formed on our expedition together.
It was another beautiful morning as we arrived in Astoria and tied up to the dock. Following breakfast we joined our docent, Byron, who took us through the newly remodeled Columbia River Maritime Museum that gave us a good foundation on the layers of history of the lower Columbia. Later we explored the lands of Fort Clatsop on a very unlike “Lewis and Clark” day. WE had brilliant sunshine instead of the far more normal clouds and drizzle. The afternoon was quite the adventure as we observed where the river meets the ocean under the headland and lighthouse called Cape Disappointment. The birders amongst us were pleased with several species of seabirds including brown pelicans and Heerman’s gulls and then it was into the narrow and scenic channel to the small fishing community of Ilwaco. This was the first afternoon of the town’s weekend-long Cranberry Festival, so some of us participated in this while others went to the nearby North Head Lighthouse for an awesome view of the Pacific Ocean and a beautiful hike through the coastal temperate rainforest, following in the footsteps of William Clark who explored the Longbeach Peninsula. Sunset found us turning our stern into the sun and the Pacific Ocean to start our journey to Portland where we will soon say farewell to the Sea Bird and reflect upon the numerous memories that have been formed on our expedition together.
