Day 15 – Milestones and the Oregon Coast

Devil's Punchbowl at low tide

Fifteen days and more than 4200 miles later we reached one of our milestones – the Pacific Ocean. We left Corvallis, OR, this morning and headed due west to pick up the 101, known here as the Oregon Coast Highway, for a drive north to experience the Oregon coastline before reaching Portland. It was still a little foggy in the morning but still very beautiful. Our first stop was the Devil’s Punchbowl and its name is very obvious from when you first see it. At low tide you can walk inside but when the tide starts to rise, it fills with sea water. Look closely at the photo and you can see some people walking inside.

Jeanne at Haystack Rock

Our next stop was at Tillamook to tour the Tillamook Cheese Factory. Actually it was just an excuse to taste some free samples of their cheese, which is sold up and down the West Coast, and to buy some of their ice cream. From there we headed further north to Cannon Beach to see the iconic Haystack Rock and the Needles (the two tall rocks to the left in the photo). Haystack Rock is supposedly accessible at low tide, but not today. We stood with our feet in the water but could only take it for a few seconds. We were both running for dry land seconds after this photo was taken!

Flintlock Demo at Fort Clatsop

After that we visited Lewis and Clark National Historical Park and Fort Clatsop. This is the site where Lewis and Clark spent the winter of 1805-06 before returning back east. We made the trip in 15 days and it took them 2 years and we even let them start in St. Louis! What a pair of losers - Lewis and Clark, that is. The park service also does a good job and we witnessed the firing of a flintlock musket by one of the rangers dressed in period clothing.

Bowpickers for Fish and Chips

Not far from the fort, we stopped briefly for dinner in Astoria which is located on the mouth of the Columbia River. Following advice from Trip Adviser and also our Road Foods book, we stopped at Bowpickers for some fish and chips. That is all they sell there and there is no dining space and frequently long lines. As you can see from the photo, it is a tiny boat with just enough room for 3 women to cook and serve the food, but it was delicious. They only use fresh tuna and it was the best fish and chips I have ever tasted, including in London. Amazing.