A Year Traveling the Oregon Coast-Astoria

The Historic Town of Astoria

The above picture is of the beautiful Astoria=Megler Bridge.

Astoria is the northernmost point of Oregon. It sits along the Columbia River and is the oldest settlement west of the Rockies. There are several little exciting things to see and do here. If time is not on your side, then hit the main points, and one full day is probably all you need.

Astoria-Megler Bridge

The bridge crosses the Columbia River and connects Oregon and Washington. The bridge is four miles long and the second continuous three-span, through-truss bridge in the world, according to Mile-by-Mile Guide. This bridge is a must to see and cross while you are here.

The Astoria Column

The Astoria Column

Atop of Coxcomb Hill is a monument that depicts Native Americans, the exploration of Robert Gray, Lewis, and Clark's adventures, the settlement of the pioneers, the founding of Astoria, and the arrival of the railroad. It is free to climb to the top of the column. It costs $5.00 to park. You do not want to miss this at sunset. On Coxcomb Hill, you can imagine what it must have been like for eyes to see this for the first time when this area was discovered.

The artwork on the column was done by Attilio Pusteria, an Italian immigrant specializing in sgraffito, an engraving technique used by potters. The method he used is very intriguing. He placed his drawing onto the wet plaster and blew colored powder onto the drawing. The picture had small holes poked in it, and when he blew the powder, it outlined the drawing. He was known to be a perfectionist, and if he disapproved of his work, he destroyed it and started over. You can click the picture to the right, and it will take you to the page for The Astoria Column, where you can read more and click on the letters to read about the drawings.

This is a memorial to the Chinook Indians. It is a replica of Chief Comcomly's burial canoe facing west, which is a Chinook custom. Chief Comcomly had the reputation of being an expert navigator and negotiator. The view is of the Columbia River and Young's River meeting.

Flavel, Film, and Heritage Museum

The top left picture is of the Flavel, Film, and Heritage Museum. Captain Flavel owned the Flavel house and was an entrepreneur and bar pilot. He guided ships through the mouth of the Columbia River, which was known as one of the most dangerous in the world to maneuver through. The house is Queen Anne architecture, and Astoria is filled with many beautiful Victorian homes.

Astoria also offers walking and trolley tours. We would have loved to have done this, but it was too late.

One of my favorite things to do in a new area is trying different places to eat and cider.

Places to eat and have a drink

The Haunt- The Haunt is considered a Norwegian Restaurant. I had fish and chips; it was perfect.

The Buoy Beer Company has the best soft pretzels I have ever tasted. They made their beer mustard, and it was to die for. Unfortunately, half of the building collapsed about a week after we ate there. I am not sure if they are reopened. I can't imagine them not being, but this is a place to have a snack and a cider.

Fort George Brewery-Absolutely the best cider flavor I have had to date called Bourbon Peach. The bourbon in this cider is very nice and smooth. I wished I could get this one delivered. I only had time for an appetizer, but I wished we had pizza.

One last thing. I can't forget about the Goonies House! While I was there, it was posted that the homeowners did not want people going by their house as it is, I believe, on a dead-end street. Since I was there, the house has sold, and visitors are welcome to come and take pictures.

Astoria, Oregon, is a town filled with much history—more than I could ever share in this post. Besides the cider, looking out on top of Coxcomb Hill, looking down into Astoria, seeing Astoria-Megler Bridge and Saddle Mountain, and trying to take in this vast area was overwhelming. Can you imagine what was going through the minds of those on top of that hill first? My takeaway is life is way too short not to travel and explore. There is so so much out there to see. That I wished I had more lifetimes to see it all.

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