Diary/Photo Journal
Week of July 20, 2003
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Louise overlooking Manzanita Beach and our lunch view |
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Island water in Oregon |
We almost stayed another day at Pacific City, but decided to venture farther up the coast. We found Ft. Canby, a State Park in Washington, located at the intersection of the Colombia River and the Pacific Ocean. Again, seeing the biking opportunity, we let loose the bikes and were off to ride around the peninsula. Of course, Gerson found a hill and I had to foot it that last 100 yards to the Fort itself . The Fort is nestled in the rock and is becoming one with the forest. The State has built an information center over and onto most of the Fort but many of the original rooms and battlements remain. We were unable to get a picture because of the tight quarters.
We took a short hike up to one of two lighthouses in the area and found the view spectacular. If we were to take a trip in this direction again, we would just go from Lighthouse to Lighthouse - we would be guaranteed amazing views.
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North Head Lighthouse and a view of Ft. Canby State Park from the second lighthouse - the Fort is just on the far right |
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View from Cape Lookout along the Oregon coast |
Week starting July 27, 2003
Ft. Canby State Park had much to offer us so we thought to stay another day; however, in keeping with our motto, we went in search for the sol and left when the overcast skies did not break away. We followed the Columbia River, past Vancouver, and found a little camp area called Beacon Rock. This campground was within a short distance of the river and the trailhead to the top of Beacon Rock.
We had arrived early enough to ride down to the shore, nap in the sun and swim in the river. In keeping with Gerson's affinity for hills, he found the trail to Beacon Rock, which was as close to straight up a mountain as you can get. After hiking up a trail which felt like 50,000 flights of stairs, we made it to the top of Beacon Rock, the second largest monolith (single rock) in the world. If that little bit of trivia is not amazing, the view is.
At the top, we met a wonderful older couple (in their 70's!) that have hiked this rock some 30+ years ago. We got to hear the stories of how there used to be suspended and swinging bridges over the gaps in the rock wherein now, there are stationary bridges and small staircases.
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View of the Columbia River and Gerson cooling off |
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Views from Beacon Rock overlooking the Columbia River |