Fort Stevens State Park

Monday, August 22, 2011 (written Aug. 26)

We had a leisurely drive from Deschutes State Park in the Columbia Gorge to Fort Stevens State Park at the mouth of the Columbia River.  We didn’t take Hwy. 30, the route along the river, as we had been on that not too long ago and wanted to see something different.  We took Hwy 26 from Portland to Seaside and had a great drive.

We knew that Fort Stevens SP is the most popular SP in Oregon but it is huge with 476 RV spaces, 6 tent site, 11 deluxe cabins, and 15 yurts.  When we pulled in, shortly after check-out time, we found they only had two sites available in the entire park!  We took one for two nights and felt lucky to get it.
Fort Stevens is located in the northwest corner of Oregon, near Astoria.  This fort was built during the civil war and was only fired on once, during WW11.  We did not return fire.  You can read all the history here.



The weather was pretty cool and rainy when we arrived and we were tired, so other than a walk around the loop, we didn’t do much.  Had some rain off and on throughout the evening and into the night but Tuesday morning dawned bright and clear and warm.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

This is an area rich in both history and nature.  The first thing Russ wanted to do was see Fort Clatsop
 
and so off we went…doggies in tow.  Fort Clatsop is just a few miles from the SP and includes a replica of the fort where Lewis and Clark wintered in 1805/06.  This is a National Historical Park and has an entry fee of $3 if you don’t have the National Parks Pass.  We forgot our pass in the motorhome but were more than willing to pay the $3.  Well worth the cost.  Unlike most National Parks, this one welcomed the dogs as long as they stayed on leash and didn’t go into the buildings, so they got to tour the fort also.  The dogs are not allowed in the rooms of the fort but human type people can go in and look around.  There are beds with deer skin blankets and tables and furnishings such as there might have been in 1805.





There are folks in period costumes throughout the park talking and giving various demonstrations.  There are many trails, all easy with only a little elevation change.




This tree reminded me of some of the giant redwoods…well almost.  Not nearly as big around but pretty darn tall.  If you enlarge the photo, you can see the woman in the background getting a similar shot.  She looks mighty small up against those trees.





Walking down to the river, we spied this tree.  I don’t think I have ever seen one with such a tangle of branches.  There were several like this but this one was the biggest.






We walked down the shaded trail to the Netul River Landing, partly along a raised boardwalk.




The sign at the end of the walkway asked, “Why are Those Poles in the Water?”  Without skipping a beat Russ said, “Because they ran out of Swedes?”  Now don’t go getting all offended…he was only joking.  Here is the real reason for the poles.



There is also a gift shop and a theater at the park. We didn’t watch the Lewis and Clark movie as the dogs were getting tired and it was too hot to leave them in the car. Russ did find a cool magnet though! He’s doing it again- every magnetic surface in our house is covered in souvenir magnets and now he’s started on the motorhome. Not much metal surface inside though. We aren’t even safe on the outside. Lazy Daze siding is NOT fiberglass, it is METAL! Oh well, if he enjoys it…at least he’s not collecting big rocks.

We left the park and drove a short way to a picnic area along the Netul River.  Nice area with covered picnic areas, rest rooms and a kayak launch.  This one is for you Sue and Mo:



The Netul is a small but scenic river and the clear blue skies created a perfect reflection of the river bank.


We went home for lunch and a nap (yeah, we’re that old) and in the evening went out again to see Coffenbury Lake, the mouth of the Columbia and several other stopping place.  Come back tomorrow and I’ll tell you all about it.

This beautiful creature was just relaxing alongside the main park road, watching the cars go by.  We backed up, pulled over, rolled down the window, and said hello while Russ snapped this photo.  She smiled, said she was fine, wished us a good day, and welcomed us to her park!