On our way to Astoria for a few days we went over the Lewis and Carke Bridge at Longview which crosses the Columbia River. In the middle of which is the border between Oregon and Washington State.
Another 45 minutes on we arrived in Astoria. It is a pretty town with a rich history of fishing and grop growing. It is located along the Columbia River and near the Pacific Ocean. It also has a very long bridge called the Columbia Bridge.
A good way to enjoy the Astoria Riverfront is to travel on the Riverfront Trolley which came originally from San Antonio,Texas. It is staffed by volunteers who really enjoy their roles and tell the stories of time past. It travels the 3 miles along the river front and you can hop on and off. It costs a whole $2 per person.
Inside the tram.
We visited the Maritime Memorial to those who have lost their lives to the sea and passed many old buildings which in their heyday would have pocessed seafood and today are used for a variety of other products. This building is now part of a brewery.
As buildings along the shoreline were built so that fishing boats could come straight into delivering their catch this also left the stock vunerable to stealing. This building was constructed so that there was no access available from the water.
This building provides the smallest riverview. It was worth that walk to the top to see just how wide the Coloumbia River is.
In the early days there were some 30 canneries along the shoreline, the remnates of their presence are still visiable.
There are many pilings still evident along the shoreline. They are referred to a International pilings as they placed there from ships from all over the world.
Along the shoreline there are hotels and resturants. The Cannery Pier and Spar Hotel is built on the site of one of the largest canneries.
This Columbia fisihing riverboat was built in 1948, its 28 Ft in length and is named the Georgia Ann.
Astoria is a pretty little town with painted houses known as painted ladies. It reminded us of Newfoundland, Canada with its Jellybean homes in St Johns.
More to follow.
Cheers,
Ross and Beverley
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