While Gigi and Pappy were here we decided to rent a beach house in Gearhart (northern Oregon coast).  We had so much fun we probably should have just skipped the time spent in Portland and stayed at the coast the entire time!  Our house was fantastic!  It was in a mostly older gated community in between Hwy 101 and the beach.  The modest sized homes are spread far enough apart for privacy and all beach front homes are set back from the beach 100 yrds from the storm dune.  I really like this set up.  When you're in the backyard you can't see any of the beach traffic, and when you're on the beach you can't see any of the homes.  This place was quiet!

 

Most of our time we spent walking on the beach and playing in the surf.  However, we were very close to Astoria so we took a few trips there for fun and meals.  Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark settled after they found the Pacific, is near Astoria, and we went there first.  The reconstructed fort ironically burned down just before the bicentennial festival celebrating their journey.  It looks like the craftsmen are maybe 3/4 the way done with the new one.  Its sited on the same location as the old one and looks (at least to my eye) the same as the old fort (modest compared to other forts).  They also have an interpretive center that explains Lewis and Clark's journey.  We didn't have time, but they had a nice trail that goes down to the launching area where Lewis and Clark kept their canoes and then continues on through the riparian area of the Lewis and Clark River.

 

Next up, the Astoria Column.  I don't remember the point of this structure because I was too busy gathering airplanes with Sam.  You see, they sell little wooden airplanes for visitors to throw off the top of the column.  Consequently the area around the column is littered with the few planes that didn't get the help of the wind.  The wind level when we were there.......freaking WINDY!  So Sam and I found 3 airplanes and then joined Molly, Patrick, and Gigi for the climb to the top.  Inside the column is a spiral staircase that I'm sure was designed for a lighthouse.  Sam insisted on climbing the stairs himself so I indulged him.  He made it to the top all by himself!  In fact he didn't really seem tired either.  At the top the wind was so strong I grabbed on tight to Sam.  I didn't want him getting airborne!  Pappy, Sam, and I readied our airplanes and 1,2,3 threw them towards the Columbia.  And WOOOSH!!!!.......they were gone in an instant.  Must have gone a mile at least.  The home owners below probably spend more time sweeping these planes out of their gutters than leaves.  :)

 

And we also went to the Maritime Museum, but I'll let the leading authority on everything boats, Pappy Blog, take care of this (when it's up and running).

 

Other than that we had loads of fun flying the kites, playing football and soccer, watching movies, throwing sand....and fuzzy catepillars, and smelling the ocean air.  We'll have to do this again soon.

 

Here are some photos