The Mighty Columbia River

Astoria in Oregon lies on the south side of the river which separates the Beaver State from Washington State. Astoria was covered in fog, the Evergreen State was sunny as we drove across the tidal river. 

It was as though the gods had understood they had gone too far and were finally ready to let up on us poor sun-seekers. 

Our first task was to drive to the town of Chinook where, the Internet assured us we could find Washington State Discover passes for sale. $30 buys a year’s worth of unlimited access to state parks. We bought gas and with our pass on our dashboard we felt welcomed to this final state on our journey north. We aren’t going to Canada this trip and from here we will drive east to see the Presidential heads in South Dakota.  

We headed back toward the bridge to spend the night at a nearby rest area. The evening was lovely lit up by glowing sunshine. 

Dismal Nitch does not sound terribly appealing but it is highly rated on iOverlander and is said to be frequently filled with travelers pausing on their journeys. We were glad to find plenty of room and we backed into an eight hour spot overlooking the river. First class accommodations! 

The evening was cool with an even colder wind blowing up the river but we determined to enjoy the view while we had a snack. Rest areas are not the right place to put up outside chairs and tables for picnics; they are for travelers to rest in. 

There is a bit of history here concerning Lewis and Clark whose expedition is memorialized in several different monuments and parks. 

The Corps of Discovery got as far as a little cove just above the rest area on November 10th 1805 and were forced to stop and wait a week as they could make no further progress to the goal they had just barely glimpsed: the mighty Pacific Ocean. 

One of the occupants of the rest area spotted what appeared to be an overturned boat drifting in the river and a 911 call got the coastguard out to see what was going on. It turned out to be a piece of styrofoam dock broken loose but they swiftly scooped it up and removed it. 

We buttoned up the van after I walked Rusty and settled in for some cider and dinner treats from Oregon: soup and meat scones with a cookie all from the excellent bakery in Tillamook. And then the moon rose…

…so we pulled out our cameras layne and I and endeavored to capture the moment. 

The next morning broke sunny and clear on our side of the river with heavy cloud cover smothering Astoria on the Oregon side. 

It was time to go and as we headed inland toward I-5 we passed the Nitch where Lewis and Clark took cover from the storm. Not a great picture but snapped in passing. 

It was a lovely day and we wound along the countryside sometimes near and sometimes far from the mighty river. A perfect drive with very little traffic. 

There was a free dump station we took advantage of in passing and I wish more states offered these simple facilities to the many recreational vehicles on the roads. 

It was as pleasant to drive as it looks. 

We stopped for lunch, a home made Turkey wrap with hot tea and fresh Oregon cherries for dessert. And a side helping of ocean going freighters past our stopping place. 

It was a lovely spot shaded and a short walk from the edge of the cliff overlooking the river. 

This freighter below is a car carrier probably bringing new imports across the Pacific. This is the type of ship we plan to load our Promaster van onto for the brief passage from Panama to Colombia next Spring. $3500 for a two hundred mile sail around the Darien Gap…

A home made memorial marker under the trees: 

The pleasure of the van is that ability to stop pretty much anywhere and be at home, even if just for an hour to eat and take a break from driving. 

Our destination was to meet friends we first met sailing in Southern Mexico 23 years ago. Moochdocking is the plan for the next few days. 

I am proud to say I won our first game of Mexican Tyrian however unfortunately Anna I were drawn in equal first place which was annoying but we thrashed Layne and Ian into third and fourth place so that was compensation enough. 

Clamming, walking, doing laundry, drinking beer and reminiscing and remembering transiting the Panama Canal together. 

I think we should be able to enjoy this reunion.