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Published: August 31st 2015
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Eco Tour
I was up bright and early today, it's an eco tour day. Megan and I tried to get a boat ride while she was here but the one outfit not fishing was booked. So I called him yesterday and he had one spot left for the morning. I had to be in Astoria by 9 am so I would have to leave here by 8:15am. I dragged Oscar out of bed and took him for a quick walk then headed south. I had to go over the big bridge again but thankfully this time the wind had let up and was not a factor. I arrived at the docks on time, found the skipper, Chris, and we headed out of the marina and under the big bridge. Different looking at it from this angle, very impressive sight.
We drove around a sea wall made of steel sheeting into another docking area and we heard them before seeing them, the sea lions. There were some in the water, others on the docks barking at each other and the man with a wheelbarrow shooing them off the docks. Pictures.
We headed up the Columbia River past
some big freighters waiting their turn to be loaded with grain that they're taking to Japan and China. The ships are sitting high in the water but after being loaded they will sit at the line between red and black. Pictures
Further upstream we went around a corner and there were several very long docks built during WWII to house the Pacific fleet. Our captain said he saw pictures were 52 ships were docked there just after the war. It was tucked back around a corner so the ships were out of the wind and snooping eyes. Now it is used as a training facility for the Merchant Marines.
The river was fairly calm so we made good time upstream to John Day River where we went past an old railroad bridge growing grass from the wooden structure. Seems that things grow so well here that plants grow on the wooden framework and even the pilings. The birds sit on the poles and leave seeds behind and they just grow. Pictures
Finally I saw an eagle. He was sitting up in a tree near a nest that has been there so long the tree has grown around
the nest. Picture.
There were Osprey nests on the channel markers and one nest had a young one that just wouldn't leave. His mom or dad was there talking to him saying it was time he took off. The young one wasn't buying it. Picture
We rounded a corner and there was a little village on the river. There were about 20 houseboats and some of them had a garage for their boat. Picture.
It was wonderful seeing the land from the perspective of the water. It is beautiful country. So sorry Megan didn't get a chance to see this. Next time.
Our captain was wonderful and very knowledgeable and he brought us back safely all of us having big smiles. It helped that the weather cooperated, the sun came out and the wind never did get strong.
On the way home I tried to get to the Astoria Tower to see that but there was road construction and detours. I followed the detour in a big circle and gave up. Back home Oscar was happy to see me and after a little walk and a talk with our neighbors he bugged about getting back
home. What a nag!
I watched a little tv, talked on the phone, made my dinner and settled in for the night. It was a wonderful day.
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