"Trip to Oregon, USA (Sep2003)" Oregon Travelogue by sunnywong

This travelogue covered my visit to Oregon Pacific Coast Scenic Byway (US Highway 101) and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (US State Route 30) in Oregon State, USA.

Astoria-Megler Bridge

The historical attractions of the Astoria area include a reconstruction of the Lewis and Clark winter encampment (Fort Clatsop), and a civil war bastion (Fort Stephens), built to keep possible Confederate invaders out on the ocean, or blasted off it with cannons. The fort is now included in a state park, located ten miles west of Astoria.

Try to reach Sixth Street Viewing Dock where there is a raised viewing platform as well as a fishing dock. From here you can gaze out at the massive Astoria-Megler Bridge, stretching for more than 4 miles across the mouth of the river. Also keep an eye out for sea lions.

Link to my travel pages about Astoria

Peter Iredale Shipwreck

The major attractions at Warrenton include Fort Stevens State Park and Peter Iredale Shipwreck.

Fort Stevens State Park
The Fort was a coastal defense fort and saw active service from the Civil War days to the end of World War II. Visitors will find military artifacts and interpretive displays at the Museum as well as guided tours. During the summer months tour a rare 90-year old underground gun battery that served as a WWII command center, and take a truck tour of the fortifications spanning the Spanish-American War and WWII. This is the location of the only enclosed Civil War earthworks site on the West Coast. The museum presents a short, original 1941 film showing the fort's 10 inch disappearing rifles in action.

Peter Iredale Shipwreck
It was an oceangoing ship that was wrecked in the early part of the century. After 90 years only some rusted iron and steel is left over. The wreck can be seen at low tide at Del Rey Beach Wayside. Access is available from Fort Stevens State Park.

Link to my travel pages about Warrenton

Haystack Rock

Cannon Beach was named for the cannon that washed ashore from a schooner shipwrecked in 1846. The coastline includes one of the world's larger monoliths, Haystack Rock. At 235 feet high, is the third largest free-standing coastal monolith in the world

Link to my travel pages about Cannon Beach

bay area bridge

As the largest city on the Oregon Coast, Newport has much to offer visitors, including two lighthouses, a gorgeous bay area bridge, and of course the Oregon Coast Aquarium, made famous by the movie "Free Willy".

The small, succulent Yaquina Bay oyster made Newport world famous. Visitors can buy the oysters and watch them being processed at the Oregon Oyster Farm. You can also try grilled oysters at Whale's Tale, on Bay Boulevard. Bay Boulevard is a popular tourist area, where restaurants, galleries, shops, and attractions such as Ripley's Believe it or Not and the Undersea Gardens are side by side with working canneries and fish-packing plants.

Link to my travel pages about Newport

OREGON DUNES

The dunes are found south of Florence and north of Coos Bay, Charleston and North Bend. You'll find the recreation area headquarters and information center located west of Highway 101, in Reedsport.

Parts of the dune area are open to off-road vehicles. Rental shops are located at several points along the highway, and in the towns. South Jetty Road, across the river from Florence, leads to a popular off-road staging area. Many campgrounds are open year round.

Link to my travel pages about OREGON DUNES NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

Vista House

The Historic Columbia River Highway is America's premiere Historic and Scenic Highway. Built between 1913 and 1922, along the steep cliffs of the magnificent Columbia River Gorge, this narrow, curving roadway was a technological tour-de-force when it was constructed. When the Interstate Highway system was being constructed in the 1950s, many portions of the old highway were demolished, abandoned, or bypassed.

The most scenic section of the Columbia River Gorge lies on the forty-three miles between Troutdale and The Dalles. Mileposts begin with zero at Portland, and exit numbers on Interstate 84 roughly correspond to the number of miles from Portland.

Link to my travel pages about Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Cascade Locks Sternwheeler river-boat

The town was named for the series of locks built in 1896 on the Columbia River to navigate boats past what were once dangerous rapids. Provides access to Cascade Locks, and Bridge of the Gods Historic Site. If you wish to head for Washington, Bridge of the Gods Toll Bridge will take you there. Cross the bridge and check out Beacon Rock and the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center near Stevenson, Washington.

Link to my travel pages about Cascade Locks