OUR ADVENTURES SOUTH OF SEATTLE

After disembarking from the cruise ship in Seattle, our first stop was at Fall City WA to resupply the motor home for our travels south and east.  Fall City is named for falls in the Snoqualmie River, so we visited the site. They are said to be 100 feet higher than Niagara, and they were impressive. Some of the water is diverted to power two historic electrical generating stations operated by Puget Sound Energy so the falls would be even more impressive with a greater flow. 

 

 

Or next stop was at Ilwaco WA, on the north side of the Columbia River.The Corps of Discovery led by Lewis & Clark first saw the Pacific Ocean near Disappointment Cape. Clark’s journal spoke of him leading a small group up the beach on the Pacific Ocean a few miles north. In walking on the beach near Long Beach  WA we found this replica of the tree Clark mentioned that he inscribed on the side trip.

Lighthouse on Cape Disappointment taken from walk in front of Washington State Museum focusing on the Lewis & Clark expedition’s travels along the Columbia River and winter stay near Astoria on the south bank. High ground on the south side of the mouth of the Columbia might be seen through the coastal clouds.

 

We had a nice stay at an RV park three miles from the Pacific along the Siletz River  near Lincoln City OR. The salmon run was just starting up the river, but in 7 hours fishing from one of these docks I did not even get a bite!

Our next stop was at Crescent City CA in the Redwood country. We took a nice ride a few miles from the ocean up the Smith River, named for mountain man Jedediah Strong Smith.”Cousin Jedediah” and I share a common ancestor who migrated to America in 1630. Nearby is Jedediah Smith State Park featuring stands of old growth redwoods.

 

At Crescent City we visited with an old friend and client, Carole Schmieder, left, and her daughter Susan, who was in Girl Scouts with my daughter in grade school. The lady on the far right is their visitor from the Phoenix area. Carole maintains a beautiful summer home here.

 

On this typically cloudy day on the beach we enjoyed a fire made mainly from driftwood, flying kites and making (and eating with relish) Smores! We did not forget the hotdogs, either.

Driving south on US 101 we found many views like this of the offshore islands. They would be much more picturesque if the marine layer lifted, but that was not to be the case for us.