SATURDAY, AUGUST 23

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23:

     Lynn & John picked us up and drove us to Astoria.  A nice 2-hour drive.  Funny how much more relaxing and enjoyable it was not hauling the RV!

     Strolled around the wharf for a while.  I can’t believe how blue and pretty the Columbia is!  And how wide it is here, almost at its mouth.  Saw a freighter and a pilot boat right away.  We learned more about the pilot boats later.

 

               Had a nice lunch outside.  Lynn & I split really good calamari and crab cakes (by far the best I’ve ever had) and a salad each.  The guys got pizza.  Perfect weather and ambience.  Lynn said that she’s never been to the coast when it’s been as warm and clear as today!

                                                           

 

           After lunch we went to the Columbia River Maritime Museum. 

                                      

     Another excellent local museum, this one dedicated of course to the maritime history and things of interest in this particular area. Once again, we learned and became aware of so much of which we had no idea.  We learned how extremely vital the Columbia is for the entire economy of the region . . . how she’s the center of commerce for hundreds of thousands of tons of goods being shipped out each month – especially agricultural products like wheat and corn, even frozen French fries from Idaho -  but also wood  and other forest products.  She receives in everything from cars to sandals.

               A lot of emphasis was given to the dangerous side of the Columbia here, especially the sand bars (or just plain “bar”), and how challenging it is for those huge ocean-going and returning vessels to “cross the bar.”  Even in good weather, the confluence of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean is a daunting area.  The tumultuous power of the Columbia as it completes its 1,200 mile course coming into contact with the staggering  might of the Pacific Ocean, plus prevailing winds and currents, plus the big, shifting sand bars deposited by the river, make for some of the most treacherous waters in the world.  It’s not unusual for there to be 40-feet waves here.  So, every ship entering the river from the open sea is required to be piloted by a certified bar pilot.  They’re an elite group of mariners – no more than a couple dozen, at most, who go through rigorous training in order to qualify for the job.  They take exams where they’re required to map out every twist and turn of the river where it meets the ocean, identify where each sand bar is, etc.  The most dangerous part of their job is boarding and de-boarding the piloted ship; they do that by a climbing (or descending) a rope ladder attached to the side of the ship, in water that’s often anything but calm!  They have virtual sole authority concerning whether or not ships can “cross the bar”; they determine whether or not it’s too dangerous.  But a whole lot is riding on their decision, given  the huge economic impact the river/ocean have on the area.  

     One of the exhibits was an old U.S. Coast Guard boat which had been used to train hundreds of Coast Guard seamen in rescue techniques.  There was an accompanying film which showed this boat performing in unbelievable high seas and storms. After several decades of being battered about, she was finally donated to the Museum.  This exhibit gave us a new appreciation and respect for the Coast Guard and the perilous missions they perform.  One of their slogans is, “You have to go out, but you don’t have to return.”  Sobering.

     Docked outside the museum building is the Coast Guard’s Columbia River Lightship. We toured this vessel, which had been anchored at the bar for many years and used for navigation and rescue operations.  This type of lightship was used in places where it was impossible to build normal lighthouses.

                                            Bridge from Washington to Astoria in background:

 

            We’re constantly amazed at the quality of these small-to-medium museums all over the country.  It’s really wonderful to reflect that a core of impassioned, dedicated people work to bring a vision to fruition, in which the public can learn about and be enriched by what these people and organizations enable us to see and be a part of.

                                                                      

                                            

Drove home on the Washington side of the river, and went to John’s for another delicious dinner of grilled salmon and steelhead trout, corn on the cob, broccolini (something new, mini broccoli stalks), and yummy loaded baked bread.  John made and served a fresh raspberry and whipped cream concoction for dessert. 

  

     A perfectly lovely day, but we both were tired when we got home and went to bed almost immediately.