Today we outran the rain.
"There's a patch of blue sky over there," Andy pointed out as we arrived at Fort Clatsop. Named for the local American Indians who inhabited the region in the early 1800's, the winter fortification of Lewis and Clark on the Netul River offered a glimpse into history. The 33 explorers arrived in dugout canoes, chose the site for availability of food, clothing and building materials and constructed a log fort guarded by a single cannon. For four months they endured the misery of constant rain. We studied the museum displays, visited the reconstructed fort and walked the trails; our blue sky mini-patch soon disappeared.
The Tillamook Cheese Factory and Blue Heron Cheese and Wine Shop offered samples for tasting, as well as tours. "Just a little shopping?" I begged. Most visitors ate ice cream and carried bags of goods.
"If weather reports are correct and the storm is moving in for at least five days, we are going to make the most of today," said Andy this morning. "The Oregon coast is spectacular, and we should try to get as many pictures in the sun as possible. I just hope it clears."
Our first stop was Astoria Column, a 125-foot decorated pillar built in 1926, that artistically marks the milestones in history. We paid our $1.00 parking fee and climbed the 164 steps to the top. In spite of a heavy cloud cover, sun rays broke through, and the world stretched beneath us.
"There's a patch of blue sky over there," Andy pointed out as we arrived at Fort Clatsop. Named for the local American Indians who inhabited the region in the early 1800's, the winter fortification of Lewis and Clark on the Netul River offered a glimpse into history. The 33 explorers arrived in dugout canoes, chose the site for availability of food, clothing and building materials and constructed a log fort guarded by a single cannon. For four months they endured the misery of constant rain. We studied the museum displays, visited the reconstructed fort and walked the trails; our blue sky mini-patch soon disappeared.
Thirty-mile per hour winds gusted at Cannon Beach as we checked out the volcanic sea stacks and traipsed back through the sand.
The Tillamook Cheese Factory and Blue Heron Cheese and Wine Shop offered samples for tasting, as well as tours. "Just a little shopping?" I begged. Most visitors ate ice cream and carried bags of goods.
"No, you cannot buy any gifts," ordered Andy. "How in the world will we fit them in the car?"
And so we headed for the shore and 50-miles of lighthouses, overlooks and short trails. One step ahead of the rain, we battled winds that increased to 50-miles per hour and watched the clouds billow in off the water. But it never rained, not until evening. The weather forecasters were right, and our pictures provide the evidence.
And so we headed for the shore and 50-miles of lighthouses, overlooks and short trails. One step ahead of the rain, we battled winds that increased to 50-miles per hour and watched the clouds billow in off the water. But it never rained, not until evening. The weather forecasters were right, and our pictures provide the evidence.
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