Sunday, July 6, 2008

Flat Stanley on the Oregon Coast


This is the last of a four-part review of Flat Stanley's 2003 visit to Oregon. Before Flat Stanley flew home, via USPS, to my nephew's classroom in Indiana he had a chance to visit the Oregon coast with us and our dogs. One of my favorite spots at the coast is the beautiful little city of Astoria, the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies, dating from the fur trading post set up by John Jacob Astor’s men in 1811. It reminds me of a mini-mini-mini San Francisco. There is a quite large Finnish population living there and in the surrounding area, and in past overnight trips to Astoria Mike and I have enjoyed going to the authentic Finnish steam bath on the main drag in town.

In the picture above Flat Stanley is on the balcony of our motel room overlooking the Port of Astoria. The bridge spans the Columbia River.

The following morning we went to the Astoria Column, a favorite tourist site that I never tire of climbing for the view of the Columbia flowing into the Pacific Ocean. Spectacular! This link takes you to a one-page fact sheet about the Astoria Column that is so worth the click.

At the base of the Column there's a brass interpretive plaque mounted into the hillside, where Flat Stanley got the lay of the land.




Mike bought a tiny glider made of thin wood to take to the top of the Column. We posed Flat Stanley sitting on the glider as a joke for the kids in Indiana, then removed him before flying the glider off the observation deck.






We left Astoria and drove along the coastline (nice video at link), stopping at beaches along the way. The dogs demanded numerous stops to run on the sand, and we were more than happy to comply. Flat Stanley found a most attractive sand castle, complete with crab shell centerpiece.







As usual we lingered at the coast that trip with Flat Stanley. I never want to leave the beach when I'm there. Even on day trips staying to see the sunset and dream some in the gloaming before driving home is a must-do.



11 comments:

Wayfaring Wanderer said...

Beautiful scenery! I especially love the last photo :o)dzj

robin ann mcintosh said...

wow, I really have to do the pacific coast drive... astoria looks like a beautiful place. if flat stanely liked it, who wouldn't? ?

Anonymous said...

Can you believe I have never heard of the Astoria Column!? Of course I've never been to Oregon so I suppose that explains my ignorance (?!)...absolutely gorgeous last photo of the sunset and gulls flying...I'll have to dig around for some of our old beach photos now!

Lydia said...

WW,
Thanks. You'll have to educate me: what does dzj stand for? :)

Little Bird,
You should treat yourself to the drive, definitely. Maybe on a book tour in the future!


Mibsy,
I hadn't heard of Astoria Column until I moved to Oregon, so don't feel out of it!

Lydia said...

Mibsy,

P.S. If you want to see some gorgeous ocean photos, go to Wayfaring Wanderer's blog and search for her photo journal of their trip to Big Sur. Very special.

Unknown said...

Unbelievable shots! Love the post! Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I have had a crazy weekend. I really apreciate you support and readership of my place.

Lydia said...

For the People,
Thanks for visiting; come again! I appreciate any response from you, given the large number of comments you have on your blog posts. You did the nicest job of anyone in the blogosphere in commemorating the Fourth of July!

Wayfaring Wanderer said...

Um......that must have been part of the word verification or something!?!?!

Lydia said...

WW,
Whew! I looked up dzj in an online codes and texting site but it wasn't there.
Love my magnet; I'm so lucky to have won it at your beautiful blog!

sharryb said...

Just now caught your Flat Stanley posts. So fun. My grandson Eli sent us Flat Stanley last year. We have a great shot of him (FS)communing with our cat, Luna. Your Flat Stanley was treated so royally! The outings! But ours did go on to visit Glasgow, Scotland.

Lydia said...

Sharry,
We both shared in the fun of a visit from Flat Stanley. Where ours did enjoy his outings, I'd say yours going on to Glasgow had the better deal! :)

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