Trip Report
Our focus was on the Lewis & Clark experiences during the winter of 1805-06, plus a number of extra added attractions.
Day #1: North on I-5 for lunch at the Lake Sacajewea City Park in Longview. Then Liz Reanier guided us through her home town of Cathlamet. Next, following a suggestion from Karen Seidel, we visited the Gray’s River covered bridge, the oldest in Washington State. Over the river to historic Fort Stevens, where our guide led us through the catacombs under the old gun batteries. We completed the day at the viewing platform near the South Jetty at Point Adams. "Ocean in View - Oh, the Joy!". And finally, a look at the Peter Iredale. Winter storm action uncovered most of the skeleton of this ship, which wrecked in 1906.
Day #2: A glorious clear morning at the Astoria Column. An interior painting project prevented us from climbing to the top. Then to the impressive Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment, and lunch at the military complex at Fort Columbia State Park near Chinook, Washington. After a visit to the excellent Columbia River Maritime Museum and Light Ship we enjoyed some free time in downtown Astoria. Both nights at the Shilo Inn at Warrenton. Excellent accommodations and service, plus full breakfast both days included.
Day #3: An early morning visit to Fort Clatsop National Memorial, where a Ranger in buckskin gave an interesting talk about that long wet winter. On to Ecola State Park for a great view in perfect weather. Then a brief stop at the world’s largest spruce tree. We lunched at Camp No. 18, good food and an interesting display of logging equipment on the grounds. During this final day we viewed on the bus the four-hour video by Ken Burns about the entire L&C Voyage of Discovery. Our thanks to Billie Brown for supplying this video. Home by 6:00 p.m. via the Sunset Hwy. and 99W.
Special thanks to Liz Reanier and Rosella Jones and to all the riders who contributed to an enjoyable trip. Driver Larry Edwards was very helpful; he is a superb driver. Twenty Obsidians included Ethel Allen, Billie Brown, Ingrid Carmichael, Mary Lee Cheadle, Margaret Fea, Jeannette Forsman, Dora Harris, Barbara Hasek, Jean Jensen, Rosella Jones, Virginia Kapsa, Helen Knowlton Dodie Leppmann, Marie Loome, John & Lenora McManigal, Cleora Mersdorf, Barbara & Walt Miller, Frances Newsom, Virginia Prouty, Elizabeth Reanier, Karen Seidel, Millard Thomas Louise Thurber, Christy White, Vera Woolley and Ray Jensen (leader).
