Portland Day 2: The Coast

We really wanted to drive out to see the Oregon coast and some of the cities along the coastline.  Day 2 was supposed to be the rainiest day while we were there, so we decided that since we would spend more time in the car than out of it, that we'd use that day to go to the coast.  I think it worked pretty well.

Our first stop was Cannon Beach, which was stunning and really, really windy.  And really cold.  The rain stopped right as we got there, so we were able to walk around for a few minutes before it came back.  But basically, we came, we saw, we ran back to the car.  After taking some beautiful photos!

Jane, for one, thought the chilling wind and rain was absolutely AWESOME, hilarious, the best thing ever.  She was super happy in all of our photos and even though she clung to us, still thought everything was great fun.  What a great person to have around!

She and I also talked beforehand and agreed that we should wear matching shirts that day.  Just kidding, it was a coincidence.  

Chilly!  Windy!

But happy!

After leaving Cannon Beach we headed north for Astoria.  All along the way we kept seeing markers for the Lewis and Clark trail and there was even a Lewis and Clark national park, but we didn't have time to see it.  Astoria is the oldest settlement on the West Coast, founded in 1811, so this year they are celebrating their 200th anniversary!  Astoria's other claim to fame is that it's where the Goonies was filmed... but we didn't go see that house, either.

One notable moment we did have in Astoria was when we drove up the steepest street I've ever driven up!  As I drove towards it I was like "Are you sure that's a street??  It looks more like a wall!"  Michael said yes and so I just sped up that thing but it was honestly terrifying.  I almost had a heart attack.  Fun!

We also went to the George Flavel House Museum, a beautiful Queen Anne Victorian home that was owned by an influential captain.  They had a children's room full of Victorian toys, where I think Jane had the most fun she'd had all day.  I know, it seems impossible after her awesome freezing-windy beach experience, but somehow it just got better!  She cried when we finally had to take her away because we were all starving.  

After getting some grub, we drove up to the Astoria Column, designed after Trajan's Column (right, Art History friends?) depicting historical scenes from the area.  It's also the highest point in Astoria and had some gorgeous views of the surrounding rivers and green countryside.

That's Washington behind me.

If you are crazy, you can run up to the top of the column, which Michael couldn't pass up.  I honestly thing he ran.  Maybe the first 2/3.  But if you do make it to the top without having a heart attack, you are rewarded with some of the most beautiful views around.  

Astoria

After this we made the trip back to Portland.  It would be nice to spend more time in this area some day and see all that it has to offer, but for us it was a great day trip!