Astoria to Warrenton

Yesterday we awoke to rain that quickly gave way to partly sunny skies even though the forecast was 90% chance of rain.  We spent most of the day biking/walking the riverfront and visiting the Maritime Museum.  It was quite nice and enlightened me a lot about the Columbia River.  The Columbia River Bar which is where the river and the Pacific Ocean meet is apparently the most dangerous area in the Pacific.  They even call it the graveyard of the Pacific.  All of the forces of water dumping from the River coupled with the ocean conditions, weather condition apparently make it quite fearsome.  A special River Bar pilot is required to navigate through the bar. He is brought to the ship on a smaller boat and as the boat pulls up as close as it can to the ship, the bar pilot has to swing across on a rope to a ladder to board the ship and then does the same thing in reverse when he is leaving the ship.  

We also stopped at the local bike shop for a couple of things.  They gave us some great advice on getting to the KOA.  We were planning to cross two smaller bridges, but he assured us we could safely traverse the Bay bridge.  The shoulders on the bridge were about 3 feet so we had room to ride to the side.  Once across the bridge we rode on a dike across the rest of the water that had 6 foot shoulders. Much nicer.  Once we got across the Bay we essentially rode the periphery of the little peninsula. Flat and lovely.  

The KOA is directly across from Ft. Stephens State Park.  The KOA is huge with wonderful amenities.  We camped in a primitive spot (i.e., no electricity) but were within a short distance of a game room, hot showers, indoor pool and hottub, and a huge outdoor kitchen under a gazebo.  Didn`t feel too primitive.

Rained overnight, but appears to be clearing a bit.  We will probably get some more showers but hopefully not like Sunday.  Rain possible for the next two days and then 3 days of sunshine.  We will slowly work our way down the coast, stopping at anything we find interesting.  Our mileage won`t be staggering, but I think there are too many beautiful things to rush down the coast.  Once we get to Tillamook, we will probably do day trips out of there.

Later,

Martha

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