More of Tillamook

We did a couple more things while in Tillamook. We went on a steam train ride from Garibaldi to Rockaway Beach.

It's a short ride, but the train goes very slowly, so we got to see lots of beautiful scenery right along the coast.

We walked around Rockaway Beach, and had lunch there. I got thrown in jail, but managed to talk my way out...



After lunch, the train came back to get us.

On another day, we went on a trip out to Cape Meares.

We took a short walk to the Octopus Tree, a unique Sitka Spruce, 250 - 300 years old.

We then walked out to the Cape to see the beautiful shoreline -

And the big attraction, Cape Meares Lighthouse.

We did the self-guided tour.

Then we went up to Oceanside Beach -

Where we went through this narrow tunnel -

To some more beach. A terrific day!

Next Stop, Tillamook - Yummy!

Tillamook, Oregon is the home of Tillamook Creamery, famous for their ice cream and cheese.

They have a great self-guided tour, and at the end they give you cheese samples.

And you can eat lunch there, too. Don't miss the Mac 'n Cheese with Bacon!

Tillamook is also home to the Tillamook Air Museum.

It's located inside a very large hanger that was built in 1943 to house K-class airships that would be used for anti-submarine patrol and convoy escort during WWII.

This was my favorite exhibit, and by far the weirdest!

We also did the short hike to Munson Creek Falls. The trail is closed about half-way in, but you can still see the falls off in the distance.

We also had a great tour of the nearby Coast Guard station.

And we had a wonderful time at the Tillamook Farmers Market. One of our WIN friends has a booth there!

And then on another day we did a 4X4 trip into the mountains to check out the local logging operations.

Since it was Sunday, we got to wander around all the equipment.

And then on Labor Day, we had a potluck, and were treated to a concert by our very talented fellow WINs!

Astoria - Lots to See and Do!

Starting with the Astoria Column. High on a hilltop, overlooking the town of Astoria, this beautiful work of art shows the history of Oregon.

From the hilltop, you can see ships and the bridge over the Columbia River.

A lot of the history has to do with Lewis and Clark, who arrived at the Pacific Ocean here, and spent the winter nearby -

At Fort Clatsop, where we went the next day. Come on in!

We met some authentically dressed members of the Lewis and Clark party.

I even got in one of their bedrooms!

And we got to see a demonstration of how to load and fire a flintlock rifle.

Also in Astoria is the Columbia River Maritime Museum, the highlight of which, in my opinion, is the Lightship Columbia. Kind of like a lighthouse, but moveable.

We saw lots of cargo ships going up and down the river, both full and empty.

Nearby is one of the highlights of the town - The Bowpicker. Their fish and chips are not to be missed. Be sure to get there early...

We also went to see the jetty that goes out into the entrance to the Columbia River, to keep the mouth of the river open and stable.

Way across the river, in Washington, I could see Cape Disappointment lighthouse.

But my favorite thing in the Astoria area, and the best piece of rusty stuff EVER, is the wreck of the Peter Iredale. It seems to be slowly sinking into the sand (or the sand is rising), from when I first saw it about 10 years ago.

It ran aground a long time ago, in 1906.

It's amazing that it's still here!

These old bolts have held it together for more than a hundred years!

On another day, we went up to the Long Beach, WA Kite Festival. I've been here many times, and this was the least number of kites I've ever seen. Maybe it was because of the bad weather.

But we enjoyed walking around town, and saw several Lewis and Clark-related statues.

On our way back home, we went across the Astoria-Megler Bridge. Whoa! Looks kind of like that bridge in Japan that keeps showing up on Facebook!

But just like that one, it's an optical illusion. This is what it really looks like.

Parked Right on the Ocean!

We moved next to the Quinault Casino in Ocean Shores, WA. What a great spot - the ocean is only a short walk away.

We did a hike out to Damon Point where we saw some pelicans out past the point.

Then this large fishing vessel came in right next to shore.

They spread out a huge net in a big circle -

And then pulled it up!

Walking back, we had to do a WIN pose on some big driftwood. Thanks, Gene, for the picture.

It was a long, beautiful walk back. A great excursion!