THE BASICS In Portland, we visited Powell's Books, The International Rose Test Gardens, Japanese Gardens, and had an informative walking tour of downtown, as well as a very enjoyable visit from Monika and Dick Parker's son Peter. We spent a few lazy days in the "boonies" then on to Astoria, at the head of the Columbia River, one of our favorite locales. With bright sunny weather, the view from the Astoria Column was spectacular. On down the Oregon coast, with drives through a few of the beachy resorts, some touristy, some artsy. Coast is stunning, with cliffs, huge driftwood piles. We camped in Tillamook and then in Newport, both times in places we had stayed previously. Decided to head inland, and spent some time in the attractive college town of Corvallis before moving on to Eugene.
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