ASTORIA, OREGON

One of the great things to do is take a drive.  A road trip.  Go to the coast.  The Oregon coast.  Well, you just may end up spending a great deal of time in Astoria .  Yes, the rest of the coast is a fantastic drive. We will spend more time later with more there.  For now it's Astoria.

Astoria has about10,000 people living there. It's just a few miles from the Pacific.  Being  the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies on the Columbia River gives it a history. If learning about the history of an area the Maritime Museum is a place to start.  You may learn things that surprise you.

Just poking around and taking in the feel of the town is an easy way to spend time.  Be sure to poke your way to the Astoria Column The view is wonderful.  However, be ready to climb.  Oh, and the view the last time we were there was interesting even with the wind, rain and clouds.  I liked it.  Some prefer warmer weather and sunshine.

There is a great write up about Astoria in

Blake Island

It surprises me when someone asks "Blake Island, where's that?"  Then you give them a reminder of what is there and they say "oh, I've been there.  BLAKE ISLAND

It can be a quiet and close escape.  There is no doubt about it being extra busy at time as well.

Park hours/updates:

Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk. 

The park is open year round for camping and day use. There is a seven day overnight moorage limit.

Camping:
Check-in time, 1 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

The thing that reminds people of the time they visited the island park is TILLICUM VILLAGE .

It's funny how so often you hear "isn't that where they do the Native shows?"  

Walking around the island is a must.