Astoria

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Bob and I went to Astoria today, only to find out there’s way more to do than can be done in one day! That area is rich in history, and we saw just a glimpse of it. There is the Astoria Column which is 125’ tall, and has 164 steps in the spiral staircase. That’s 112 more steps to climb when you first think, “Enough already!” But the view at the top is gorgeous, and well worth the climb. We went on a cloudy day and it was still breathtaking. Coming down that spiraling torture chamber made me very very dizzy.

We spent most of the day on the wharf. They have lots of tourist shops (hi, Rosie!) and places to sit and watch the river traffic. We saw several sea lions, and watched them taunt the gulls with the fish they’d caught!

We’d hoped to go to the live theatre, but it was the last night for the season, so they were sold out, and the waiting line was longer than a list of ways to cook oysters.
We’re all planning on going back for tour day, this Friday.

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Photos

Astoria Column
The pictures aroun the column are historical events. Lewis and Clark are even up there!

Astoria Bridge
Here's a good look at the bridge. Remember, you get on in Oregon, and get off in Washington~~practically magic! But it is an incredible structure.

View from Top
Looking down from a 164 stair climb. I TOLD you it was high!

Guess who!
Just a view shot. I forgot to mention that you could get a light wooden airplane from the gift shop, and fly it off the top! They were stuck in the surrounding trees and everything, but it was fun to watch them circle around the column on the way down.

Hidden peak
The thing I like about this photo is that the peak of the mountain on the left is hidden in the clouds.

Peaks
You can see two mountain tops peaking through the clouds...they're in Washington, over by Surfside. See what I mean about it being worth being up there, even if it was cloudy? First a mountain with no peak, now peaks with no mountains! Wow...

Holly
This is just to remind you what season is coming! These holly bushes were between the parking lot and the lawn. I don't think I've ever seen live holly bushes with berries. They don't look at all like the plastic stuff we sold in the store!

Comments

[Margo]

holly bushes
And Bob didn't think he would like the East Coast. We have holly bushes growing in our yard. I went to the garden nursery to purchase trees and plants when we moved here. I was shocked to see one of the trees that many people plant is a holly tree. We also know when winter is approaching because everyone plants petunias! Terrific pictures thanks for sharing.

[Danielson]

Petunias
Petunias in the fall? What country are you in?!!

[Patti]

Pictures of Holly Bring back Many memories
Your pictures of the Holly brings back so many memories for me. With my relatives that lived in Tacoma and the surrounding area, many had holly bushes and trees. My Grandma would send us some every Christmas. I miss that so much now that she isn't with us any longer. Those little things are such special touches in our traditions. The pictures of the mountain tops also remind me of how the weather was so many times when we visited there.