July 26: The Ship Steadfast and the Maritime Museum

I spent a little time wandering around the Coast Guard dock and the construction project on the Maritime Museum today. As I look back on the photos (I'm posting these after the date on which I took them), I see that already things have changed. There's more fencing here, more concrete (I think. I'll have to look again.) Some things change without our taking much notice of them.

Here's another shot of the Steadfast, a Coast Guard ship that docks for long periods here in Astoria.

There were two ships in the dock that day, numbers 623 and 630. I especially like this view, head on.

Here in Astoria we've become very familiar with the Steadfast's shark-shaped logo.

Yes, that's a marijuana leaf painted in gold on the mast of the Steadfast. It looks quite pretty, but it seemed incongruous. Were a bunch of Oregon hippies sailing this ship? I thought not, so I asked. The Steadfast's main job is drug patrol on the high seas and coastal waters. Where do they go? They won't tell you exactly, but they often head "south."

Big ships' ropes are always intriguing.

The pink thing must be a water drop on the lens. I'm not sure about that. It's a lazy day on the docks, and a nice experience to be able to walk right up to the ships without mega security, fences to keep a person many feet back, etc. I hope we never lose these privileges. There's nothing like seeing a thing close up, whether it's a ship or an elephant.

Standing on the docks near the Coast Guard ships, I can look back at the Maritime Museum, still being remodelled and added-to. It seems it's about finished now.

There's the Maritime from another part of the dock.

Here's looking west from the Maritime docks toward the Astoria-Megler Bridge. I had no clue at this time that the base of the radio tower would someday be part of my life.

Here's a picture back toward land from the small pier shown just above. Just to the right of the high part of the tree-covered hill, you can see the Astoria Column, looking spindly and small from this distance.

The trolley runs along the waterfront and the museum is one of its stops. Here you can see the cyclone fencing still in place while they finish construction on the museum.

A nice day on the water. And no, Toto, I don't think we're in Colorado any more.

July 25: Fort Clatsop, near Astoria

Today I went to have a look at Fort Clatsop, a 1955 replica of the original fort built by the Lewis and Clark expedition to when they stayed here during the winter of 1805-1806. (Since I took these photos, the original model burned down in 2005. I'll have to go back and take photos of the new one.) It's run by the U.S. National Park Service, and this is the headquarters, gift shop, and display building by the parking lot. The whole is hidden away in the forest, not that far from town, but so isolated you feel you are miles from civilization. It's a nice place to go!

This is the path coming out of the headquarters. You take a very short walk from there to the fort replica.

Here is the fort - hard to photograph with so many shadows, but it was wonderful to be in such a wooded location. I was still just beginning to experience the various plants and trees here in Oregon, and I was in awe at all of the new things I was discovering. Really? All these things grow here? A northern rainforest was still somewhat of a new concept for me.

The staff had gone out of their way to make realistic displays. This is sitting in the forest where you can walk around it and look at all the detail. Sometimes they give talks and demonstrations.

Here's the main fort building. It's not very big. The only forts I'd seen were big and meant for a lot more people.

Here's a candle-making display in one of the dark rooms. It was not well-lit, because they were trying to keep it as authentic as possible. It even smelled of furs.

Here's a sleeping room.

Maps on a desk and fire in the hearth.

This is a lantern. It's made of metal with holes bored into it in patterns. I really loved the look of this.

After leaving the fort buildings, I took the path through the woods. Ferns found in conjunction with pine trees were still a new phenomenon for me. I love this vegetation and the cool feel beneath the trees.

I also like the signs describing at least some of the plants. This is a deer fern. The quote is from Captain Lewis's journal.

Here's the wide gravel path and the bench, not quite wild, but it made for easy walking.

The forest path led toward a natural cove in the river, and there's a canoe replica here to show us how the area was used. Having grown up in California, I was astonished that these displays could be unattended and available to the public without being graffiti'd or carved to bits. People seem to behave themselves better here, and the crowds are clearly not as great, even during summer tourist season. It made me feel happy to live here.

Near the canoe I've come to the end of the trail, a deck where you can look out over the marshy inlet where Lewis and Clark apparently came ashore.

Here's a view of the inlet and cove from the platform. It was totally peaceful, totally idyllic, and - amazingly - only about 10 minutes from home. This is the Lewis and Clark River, which feeds into Youngs Bay just about where the bay opens out into the Columbia River. Here's a map.

Here's another dugout canoe, in the shade.

Gnarled tree roots.

And more ferns and broadleaf plants under the canopy of the trees. It was a beautiful place to get out and enjoy being in the woods.

July 24: Fort Columbia, Washington

Today I crossed the Astoria-Megler bridge and discovered Fort Columbia on the Washington side of the river. It was another gorgeous day in the mid-60s. I can't get over what beautiful green places there are to explore and enjoy so close to home. This is a view over the Columbia River from the fort grounds. We're not far from where the bridge "lands" on the river bank, so the view from here includes looking back at Astoria itself.

I liked the white flowers in the grass up on the hill here where you can park the car.

Berry bushes and officers' housing. It's really tranquil here, as very few people seem to visit. It's nicely kept up, and it's just beautiful.

Here's one of the few gun emplacements. Fort Columbia has a long history, but it's now used by tourists, hikers, picknickers, and a few people wanting to take nice photos or look for wildlife.

I'm still getting used to the way such a profusion of plants either grow wild or take to the wild here. Nobody needs to water them.

The officers' housing is in two neat rows. It's kind of strange how they're kept up and look like someone should be living in them.

Berry bushes and old buildings, Fort Columbia, Washington.

It's almost like a ghost town, but it's in immaculate condition.

I wandered down a path into the thicket of plants, and found this crazy thing hidden away in an unlikely spot. I'm sure it made sense at the time it was in use: G.E. 50 KW. Gas Generator, Patented March 8, 1913. I would have made a link to some information, but I couldn't find any.

Here's another flower growing wild on the grounds. I imagine it was brought in when people lived here.

Nice berries growing wild.

Here's the Columbia River with a boat jetting along in the direction of the open sea.

I was all set to take a photo in the dim light of the woods, then the wind rippled through and blurred the seeds. I liked the effect.

Looking back across the Columbia at Astoria. You can see the bridge at the horizon on the left.

This is Astoria again. It was a calm, quiet day, and a bit lonesome. It's good to have someone to share nice places with, but at the moment, I don't have that. Feeling kinda sad.

Muddy water here along the rocky bank.