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Oregon

Writer's picture: Megan GilesMegan Giles

August 2024


Welcome to Astoria, Oregon

What a cool old town! So much history. Amazing architecture. An eclectic mix of people…


Our first night was at The Norblad Hotel.


When you book be sure it’s the room with a private bathroom. They have great online reviews overall but be sure to read the fine print. Part of the hotel is actually a hostel with private bedrooms and shared bathrooms. We booked the Astor Suites.


Boy did I score on this one! Water views with a sunset. 



Where to eat:

T Paul’s Supper Club

The Blueberry Crush is great way to get your antioxidants in. #healthfirst

  • Gin

  • Muddled mint and blueberry 

  • Simple syrup 

  • Lemon juice

  • Soda 


Crab and artichoke dip with freshly toasted crostinis (fancy word for mini toast). We should’ve come back for dinner the second night, too. 


We tried another place that was highly recommended, but I wasn't a fan. Just stick to T Paul's.


Need a ride?

Ride share services are banned from the area. If you need a ride call the local Coast Shuttle at 503-791-7913. Our driver was friendly and safe!


St. Mary, Star of the Sea

Daily mass was canceled and the church was locked when we showed up. We lucked out thought and ran into the gardener who let us in to pray for a bit. I like these simple historic churches. They feel like home.


Morning Rosary Run on the Boardwalk 

I don’t hide that I’m Catholic. Most of time. There’s always that thing in back of my mind saying don’t show it because it’ll look like you’re being pushy. And who wants religion shoved down their throat?


I was on the main drag beginning my rosary run (ok it’s mostly walking with a short stint of jogging but “run” looks better for marketing purposes.) I waited for cars to pass then decided 'eh who’s paying attention to me?' I made the sign of the cross and began. 


I barely get to the Our Father when a car pulls into the lot I’m about to walk past. A man rolls his window down. 


Man: excuse me. What was that you did? (He made an attempt at crossing himself.)

Me: you mean cross myself? 

My mind: is this a flight or flight situation?!

Man: yeah. Why’d you do that? Was it because I drove by?

Me: no, I’m praying the rosary. That’s how it starts. 

Man: what was your prayer?

Me: the rosary IS the prayer. (I held up my beads.)

Man: oh…

My mind: it’s ok. He doesn’t want to hurt me. 

Me: what’s your name? I’ll say a prayer for you!

Man: Michael. I need all the prayers I can get! Have a good day. 


Key points: someone is always watching. God can use our actions to reach anyone if we let Him! Say a prayer for Michael in Astoria. 


What to do in Astoria

Next time, I’d stay on the east side of town by Pier 39. It’s the old Bumble Bee Tuna Cannery that’s been converted into restaurants, shops and Hanthorn Cannery Museum


Fishing is the main industry. Surprise, surprise being on a huge river that dumps into the ocean. (The town trashcans are all mockups of canned fish. I like that they stuck with the theme).


Back in the late 1800s the biggest problem for these fisherman was keeping their catch fresh. Introducing canning! The museum goes through the whole process.


Funny enough, the most memorable part of the museum is this big safe. When new owners took over the building it was uncovered. And locked. No one could crack the code. Not even the best locksmiths. The news article that tells the tale never revealed if someone finally did unlock it or if they had to break the lock.


What was inside? Canned fish!

Talk about a disappointment.


Oh, and we drove the wooden dock out to the pier. I took my seatbelt off and rolled the window down juuuuuust Incase. Safety first. It sounded a bit rickety.


Next time I want to hit the Columbia River Maritime Museum. The windows facing the street display a life sized boat in storm seas scene.


On to the next adventure!


Youngs River Falls

We went off a recommendation on this one. It was worth it. Cool waterfall tucked way back in the middle of winding roads and farms.


Seaside, Oregon


Our Lady of Victory

It was Saturday and the beachside town was hoppin. There was no street parking. But the church parking lot has some openings.


We lucked out getting into the sanctuary. They were having a rummage sale that day and one of the partitioners was kind enough to let us in and even gave us a tour.


The original church built in the early 1900s was in disrepair. They saved as much as possible and built a new church. The first pic is the chapel that was built to look like the original church. Middle photo is the regular church now and last pic shows the original bell to the right.


We enjoyed a little carchuterie (paten pending) for lunch.


Cannon Beach, Oregon


Haystack Rock

Kind of a destination in itself. After being on so many Florida beaches, it’s different to see giant rocks right there in the water.

Sea Level Bakery: It was closed when we went through, but this comes recommended. Wendel, you can report back if it's worth it!


Rockaway Beach, Oregon

St. Mary by the Sea

This might be my favorite church on the coast. It has a nautical theme decorated with anchors and you walk out to a view of the beach. It’s RIGHT THERE.


This is a vacation town and even the church was mostly travelers. Maybe 20% were locals.


Girabaldi, Oregon

Next time: there’s a train that goes between here and Rockaway Beach. It even has themed nights for stargazing or dinner onboard.


Tillamook, Oregon

Yep, this is where the cheese is made! And they make ice cream! Blue Bell has a run for it's money. This is the creamiest ice cream I've ever had. Ever.



Crowds lined up 15 minutes before doors opened. The tour is a second floor viewing platform of the factory floor. The displays do a great job of giving enough detail without being overwhelming.


The cheese tasting is a bit deceptive. You get 2 pieces of individually wrapped cheese. We already had the exact same ones in the car. I’m grateful for the extra road snacks.


The first floor has a huge store with swag and groceries on one side. The other side has mall style food lines for burgers or ice cream. It was too early for lunch so we had an ice cream breakfast. 😃 Makin’ my mama proud.


Notes for next time: stay in Coos Bay or Bandon to see the dunes and the Wildlife Safari.


Gold Beach, Oregon


We stayed in a lovely condo with sunset views. See the whales?! Yeah, me either at first. Faaaaar far out there was a pod and we saw water spouts throughout our stay.


I booked the tour last minute after checking email for the day so I needed to grab food fast before boarding to keep up my strength. It’s hard work sitting in a boat looking at amazing views for 6 hours!


Someone recommended the food truck across the parking lot. I got close enough to see the menu and it was donuts! Well shoot. The owner already saw me so I have to order something now. I told him I needed protein so he added extra bacon to the maple bacon minis. When in Gold Beach… down the hatch! 


These are the softest donuts I’ve ever had. Worth stopping for if you see the truck. 


Back to Jerry’s Jets now that my stomach is satisfied. The Rogue River has been a mail route since the late 1800s. In the 1950s, a guy named Jerry and his brothers started giving jet boat tours of the scenic river. You can read the full history here.


I went for the 6 hour whitewater tour. And wow! Definitely a must if you’re anywhere near here. 


When booking my ticket, the lady on the phone said, "Bring a towel and be prepared to get wet. Also dress in layers because it’s cold right now."


My mind: I don’t like being cold and wet so this will be interesting…


Turns out that it’s MUCH warmer and feels like a real summer up river! 


The 6 hr boat ride had a few stops. Our driver was informative AND hilarious. His jokes flowed naturally with the River. And his boating skills are impressive to say the least.


Cattle and seals and bears! Oh my!


Recommendations from our guide:



Just around the river beeeeeeend. Waiting just around the river bend! I look once more…

Pocahontas was playing in my head most of the trip. It took all my self control to not sing as we turned each corner.



River Stories:

WWII veterans built a cabin up river after the war. A bomber would circle up above so they had radio contact if WWIII broke out. Yes, that's THREE.


BLM came in in the 1960s and burned down all the cabins like theirs. The hillbillies who fought to keep their places won out with the stipulation they couldn’t build any more and had to keep the rustic aesthetic. 


He pointed out one house that's been around for 3 generations. They can only access it by boat and live off solar power.


Back in Gold Beach...


First Chapter Coffee wins best no-dogs-allowed sign.


Superhuman Shroom coffee? The barista said it has an earthy flavor. And no psychedelics. I figured why not give it a shot! Not bad. Different from the sweet Maple flavor I go to lately. With my new Super Mario power I went shopping for my favorite things: food and wine!


Oh, and their fairgrounds, school and football field all have beach views!


Dear Clark County Fair Board, what are the chances of adding waterfront to our fairgrounds? The mud volleyball pit isn’t exactly the same.


Hiking:

There is so much nature to see. We did one hike on The Shrader Old Growth Trail. Half way through Aunt Trudy says, “Those are berries that bears like.”


Then I realize this is just up the hill from the river. Where I saw a bear. Yesterday. 😳


We survived without seeing any wildlife. Or people. The trail had 13 markers and there’s a pamphlet for self guided tours. It told the story of old trees that fall down and new trees rising up. Most of the trees here are over 200 years old. The char is from fires over 100 years ago!


The Oregon coast is beautiful and unique. It’s hard to condense it all into one post!

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