Saturday Sojourn...

Astoria, Oregon

So this may reviel my true age, but one of my all time favorite movies is The Goonies.  Its the story about a group of young boys that save their town from being bought out by a developer while at the same time capturing a notorious gang of thieves.  Its a great feel good movie of the 80s and always made me wonder about the town they saved.  Well it is in fact a thriving place in Oregon, the house and neighbor hood (the Goondocks) is still there and people still come to visit.  You can even print a Google Map of where The Goonies was filmed, as well as Kindergarten Cop, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, Short Circuit, Come See The Paradise and Free Willy which were also shot on location in and around the area. So besides the movie Goonies what else is there in Astoria?  Lots!

Finding a great place to unpack your bags is pretty easy, the number one Tripadvisor rated hotel in Astoria is the historic Cannery Pier Hotel.  The hotel amenities include an on premise spa facility, complimentary Continental breakfast (featuring Finnish delicacies, fruit and beverages), complimentary wine and Lox evening reception, a complimentary Chauffeured 1939 Buick, 1938 Packard or 1945 Cadillac, free wifi, use of the hotel library and free bicycle use during the day.  They also allow pets, a huge plus in my book. Got a special Goonies story from your past?  Enter the Cannery Pier's Goonies contest and you could win two nights at the hotel, dinner for two, desert, drinks and a travel voucher.  You need to enter before May 31st, contest winner will be named June 7th.  Even with the goodies included in the room it is a little pricey at between $159 to $299 per night.  If you want a really great bang for your buck try one of the many beautiful Bed and Breakfast Inns, Tripadvisor lists the Astoria Inn at #1 and the Benjamin Young Inn at #2.  The Astoria Inn is a lovely Victorian home with rooms ranging from $80 - $95 per night and every room has a queen-sized bed with private bath.  They do not allow children or pets on the property.  The Benjamin Young Inn is also a Victorian home and overlooks the Columbia River in Astoria.  This Inn has three resident cats but does not allow guest pets.  Room prices range from $75 - $135 per night.

All unpacked, time to head out and see some sites.  Other than the movie tours you can visit Fort Stevens State Park.  The Fort was built towards the end of the Civil war at the mouth of the Columbia River to guard against an attack from the British.    Fort Stevens is preserved within Fort Stevens State Park, part of Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks.  The 3,700 acres park includes camping, beach access, swimming at Coffenbury Lake, trails, and a military history museum.   Also be sure to visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum, home to the Lightship Columbia.  "Lightships not only provided a beacon where a traditional lighthouse could not stand, but they could also be stationed offshore, where a beam from a coastal lighthouse would not reach."  It is also home to the "ultimate heavy weather vessel, the Pilot Boat Peacock crossed the most dangerous river bar on the planet, the Columbia River Bar, more than 35,000 times during her 30-plus year career."  You can stop in and visit the research library while you are there and find out some historic information on the cannery or discover ship wrecks at the mouth of the Columbia River.  Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas, admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for children ages 6 to 17, kids under 6 are free.  Had your fill of history for now?  Stop over at the Shallon Winery and indulge in the decadent with a little chocolate wine.  Yes, you read that right, they make a chocolate and orange wine, much like a liqueur, while your there you may see some other unique wines to try and buy like Wild Evergreen Blackberry, Peach, Lemon Meringue Pie or Cranberry Whey.  If this is something on your must see list I would recommend calling to make sure they are open at the time you want to see it, per the web site "The TASTING and SALES room in the winery is open most every afternoon in the year, even Christmas and New Years. The sign says "1 to 6 p.m.," but as the winemaker gets older, the one o'clock opening gets pushed a little later."  They can be reached at (503) 325-5978. 

 
 

For a memorable and unique dining experience check out the fish and chips at Bowpicker Fish & Chips.  The restaurant is an old re-purposed fishing boat, open Wednesday thru Sunday From 11ish - 6ish, Weather permitting, high winds being the worst offender.  All they serve is lightly beer battered Albacore tuna with steak fries, this falls into my category of a place that does one thing and that usually means they do it to perfection. 
 
Hope you are all having a great weekend!
 
C.Q.