Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach |
Astoria Oregon sits in a beautiful and historic part of the country. Nearby is the mouth of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean, where you will find beautiful beaches and where the Lewis and Clark expedition spent the winter of 1805-1806.
Fort Clatsop
National Memorial
The Lewis and Clark Expedition, which had departed from
Missouri in the late spring
of 1804, arrived at the Pacific Ocean on November
7, 1805. They decided to set camp near the Netul River, about five miles east
of the ocean. They chose this spot on the advice of the Clatsop Indians, who
lived in the area. The woods provided some shelter from the weather, and the
Netul River was a much calmer alternative to the Columbia River. The area had
plenty of deer, elk and fish for them to live on.
Statue of Sacagewea |
The expedition stayed built an enclosure to live in that they
named Fort Clatsop, in honor of the local tribe. The expedition stayed there
until March 23, 1806. They used this time to recover from various illnesses,
repair their canoes and restock food for the trip home. During their stay, the
local people visited almost every day to trade goods and help them explore the
area.
The original buildings have decayed in the wet conditions of
the Pacific Northwest. In 1955, the state of Oregon recreated them fort and in
1958, the national monument was dedicated. A fire burned these buildings down
in 2005, but they were again built and rededicated in December 2006. The Fort
Clatsop National Memorial has a very informative visitor’s center. There are
displays outlining the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and also of
the local peoples. There are also two historical films. The one I saw was a
very thoughtful film on Lewis and Clarks time here told through the eyes of the
native people who were here.
The Canoe Landing |
It was Banana Slug season at Fort Clatsop |
There are several hiking trails that start at the visitor’s
center. You can take a 13-mile roundtrip hike on the Fort to Sea trail. This
follows the trail from Fort Clatsop to Sunset Beach at the Pacific Ocean, where
members of the expedition had set up a salt refining site. They needed the salt
to prepare food for the trip back to the east. I chose a shorter hike, to the
Canoe Landing. This is a highly developed trail from the visitor’s center to
the Lewis and Clark River (originally the Netul). It is easy to see why the
members of the expedition chose this sheltered area over the open shores of the
Columbia River.
Oregon Beaches
The Beach at Fort Stevens State Park |
If you want to spend time at a Pacific Ocean Beach on your
visit, there are many choices. One is the Fort Stevens State Park. This state-run
recreation area sits at the extreme north-west corner of the state of Oregon,
right at the mouth of the Columbia River. Fort Stevens served as a guard to the
Columbia River from the Civil War until the end of World War II. Today it is a
4300-acre park that includes a fresh water swimming lake, beaches, a nine-mile
bicycle path, nature viewing and both camping and cabin facilities for
over-night stays.
Seaside Beach |
If camping is not your style head further south to the towns
of Seaside and Cannon Beach. Seaside is a resort town with 6500 year-round
residents, and several large hotels and condominiums right along the beach. Its
cement boardwalk offers beautiful views of the beach. There are many activities
for visitors, including an aquarium and a convention center.
Lewis and Clark at Seaside OR |
Further south is the town of Cannon Beach. This community is
1500 residents is named for a cannon from the sunken sloop, the US Shark. The
cannon washed ashore in 1846. Cannon Beach has a different feel than Seaside.
Its buildings are smaller, and the area closest to the beach is filled with
shops selling everything from touristy tchotchkes to fine art.
This is the last of my pieces from my recent trip to the
Pacific Northwest. I hope that my blog has given my readers a reason to explore
the area beyond Seattle and Portland when you visit.
Getting There from
Astoria OR:
Fort Clatsop – Head west on Marine Drive. Follow
signs for U.S. 101 south. Travel 3 miles, then turn left onto Buisiness-101.
After 1.5 miles, turn right onto Fort Clatsop Road. The Fort Clatsop NM is 0.75
ahead on the left.
Fort Stevens State Park
– Head west on
Marine Drive. Follow signs for U.S. 101 South. After 3 miles turn right onto E.
Harbor St. After 1.3 miles turn left onto N. Main Street (WA 104S). Go 0.5
miles and turn right onto SW 9th street. Go 1 mile and turn right
onto NW Ridge Road. Ridge Road will tale you into the park.
Seaside and Cannon
Beach OR – Take
Marine Drive west. Follow signs for U.S. 101 south. Seaside is 17 miles from
Astoria. Cannon Beach is 26 miles from Astoria.
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