Last Look at Astoria…

There are many things I enjoy about blog writing.   First and foremost, it helps me relive the experiences through writing and photography.  It helps jog my memory of the many wonders I have had the privilege to see, touch, taste, and smell.  And it’s a great way to meet people, having led me to 75% of my current RVing community.

But of my 484 posts here, none have been so fun as my Astoria post from 2014.  I had never had a blog post go “viral” before, but suddenly I started getting comments from people I didn’t know.  Someone posted a link to a local Facebook page, and many Astorians came calling to offer more suggestions.   It was so much fun to have them validate that I had captured the essence of a town for which their affection was so palpable.   For this reason among many, Astoria will always have a special place in my personal history book.

Not only did I want to show Don Astoria, but given how much I enjoyed it last time, it was a “non-negotiable” stop on my return trip to the PNW.   Well, non-negotiable only as far as my ability to negotiate a place to park, that is!   Fort Stevens State Park?  Fuggetabout it!   Over 300 sites, and still the campground is always full!  After a drive through the park revealed a good number of empty spots, I stopped to inquire.   The woman behind the desk actually guffawed,  “We still have another 70 people yet to check in tonight!”

There is the Lewis and Clark RV Resort, but my tendency is to steer clear of anything with the word “Resort” in the name.   The nearby golf course tells me it’s not within my budget, as does their lack of rates displayed on their website.

My favorite bike path.

My favorite bike path along Astoria’s waterfront.

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Nowhere do I hate seeing "progress" than along Astoria's Riverfront. Retail space for rent on the bottom floor. I shutter to think what's to come.

Nowhere do I hate seeing “progress” than along Astoria’s Riverfront. Retail space for rent on the bottom floor. I shutter to think what’s to come.

A visit to Four Winds Canvas Works on Pier 39. He is helping us put some upholstery snaps into Don's privacy curtain. He's got some really cool canvas bags for sale. Go here!

A visit to Four Winds Canvas Works on Pier 39. He is helping us put some upholstery snaps into Don’s privacy curtain. He’s got some really cool canvas bags for sale. Shop here!

So to be near the “heart” of Astoria, that leaves one option…the little Pier 38 RV Park that I accidentally found two years ago, which caused me to U-turn on my way out of town after thinking there were no other RV options.   But in doing some research to see if I could reserve a couple of spots, I learned of plans to close this gem of a park for good.   All listed phone numbers refer back to the voicemail of the  previous manager, no longer employed by the park.  Online news articles point to mismanagement as the reason for decline and dereliction, leading to the decision to close.  Although they have brought in new management to clean the place up, he has also been tasked with shutting it down.

Bowpickers, as good as I remembered. Go during the "geezer hour (4pm) to avoid the line.

Bowpickers Fish & Chips, as good as I remembered. Go during the “geezer hour (4pm) to avoid the line.

Astoria's iconic "Column," 125 ft tall, built in 1926. It's 164 steps to the top.

Astoria’s iconic “Column,” 125 ft tall, built in 1926. It’s 164 steps to the top.

View of sunset from atop Astoria's Column.

View of sunset from atop Astoria’s Column.

It’s the weekend before the rumored closing date, so I am willing to roll the dice.  Regardless of whether it’s closed or full, we have no other option in this area but to keep driving inland.   So I decide to take a chance.  Rather than pull both rigs down into the small park, we leave my Winnie and Tracker parked at the Marine Museum and use Don’s Navion for reconnaissance.

Astoria's 3-mile Riverfront Trolley runs along the waterfront with historical narration.

Astoria’s 3-mile Riverfront Trolley runs along the waterfront with historical narration.

I can see the trolley passing in the dinette view from the View.

I can see the trolley passing in the dinette view from the View.

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As we pull in, the first thing I notice is the place has been cleaned up.  The grass is neatly manicured, and no longer are there rigs looking like RV Chia pets, covered in ivy.   I notice a big “CLOSED” sign on the small building, but there are a dozen RVs still in the park.   I spot a couple of people sitting outside, so I approach and ask if they know where the manager is.  I meet Kit and Barney, who tell me that the new manager, Michael, is away, “So pull up on the grass here beside us and wait….he left without his dog, so he won’t be long.”  Kit confirms the rumor that the park is closing. She says maybe he will let us stay, and maybe he won’t.   So I am on my best behavior when Michael arrives.  😉

Our lovely front row view.

Our lovely front row view.

View of our "twins" from the riverfront bike path.

View of our “twins” from the riverfront bike path.

Another Rogue Public House within walking distance.

Another Rogue Public House within walking distance.

Tracker gets a new set of spark plugs, compliments of Uncle Don.

Tracker gets a new set of spark plugs, compliments of Uncle Don.

Sunset taken from Pier 38 RV Park.

Sunset taken from Pier 38 RV Park.

We are in luck! We meet Michael, the kind and friendly manager and his “girlfriend” Lady, the most well behaved dog I have yet to meet. Michael now runs the place like his own little community. He gives us a dry camping spot right on the front row! Not only do we have a great view of the mighty Columbia River, but at an affordable price without having to pay for services we don’t need.

Just a short walk to the end of Pier 39.

Just a short walk to the end of Pier 39.

Mom keeps saying, "He looks so tired." Maybe it's not "tired" but hungover.

Mom keeps saying, “He looks so tired.” Maybe it’s not “tired” but hungover.

A glass of Rogue's "Old Crusty." It suits me.

A glass of Rogue’s “Old Crusty.” It suits me.

I am happy to say not much has changed in Astoria over the past two years.  It’s a bit more crowded than I remember, but then it’s salmon season!  There is a buzz of activity next door at the boat dock, where both personal as well as commercial boats line up at the cleaning stations with their bounty from the sea.

View from the boat dock next door.

View from the boat dock next door.

Proud fishermen.

Proud fishermen.

Salmon filet mid-flight.

Salmon filet mid-flight.

Another kind of crowding is the influx of transient visitors from California…the sea lions!  During my last visit, it was June so they were out to sea looking for a mate.  But this visit, there are an estimated 5,000 of them lounging around on the docks, resulting in a musical cacophony that can be heard all over town.  The noise could get a little annoying at night until I remind myself…“Oh…that barking I hear is sea lions!”  Not something one hears every day.

California Sea Lions love Astoria as much as I do.

California Sea Lions love Astoria as much as I do.

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The Sunday Farmer’s Market seems to be more vibrant than ever.  The selection, quality and variety is among the best I have seen, particularly in a town the size of Astoria.  With live music and plenty of food truck options, it’s a great venue for a Sunday stroll.IMG_6178 IMG_6181

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This cool musician makes these instruments from old cigar boxes. Note closely, the interior silver part is an inverted metal dog bowl.

This cool musician makes these instruments from old cigar boxes. Note closely, the interior silver part is an inverted metal dog bowl.

I particularly appreciate the advice, "Don't tinkle on vendor tents."

I particularly appreciate the advice, “Don’t tinkle on vendor tents.”

But the biggest difference is the weather.   The typical 60 degree days have taken a hiatus as a heat wave moves through town.  So instead of city activities, we head for the beach two days in a row.  The beach near the shipwreck of the Peter Iredale is crawling with kids, so we drive down toward the South Jetty and turn in at a sign saying nothing more than “Area B,” and have the entire beach to ourselves.  Bliss!  I didn’t expect to be walking barefoot on the far reaches of a northern Oregon beach in shorts and a tee shirt.

Shipwreck of the Peter Iredale, ran ashore in 1906 in route to the Columbia River.

Shipwreck of the Peter Iredale ran ashore in 1906 in route to the Columbia River.

That's Don way down there on the deserted beach.

Don down on the deserted beach.

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"What's it all about, Alfie?"

“What’s it all about, Alfie?”

Contemplating the Stairway to Heaven.

Contemplating the Stairway to Heaven.

We end up staying four nights in Astoria, but it wasn’t nearly enough.  Had we not had a deposit down on reservations in Portland, we would have no doubt stayed until Michael turned out the lights.  Yes, in spite of hoping the owners would come to their senses and see that this is the best way to give people a the chance to fall in love with Astoria as I did in 2014, the lovely little Pier 38 RV Park is sadly no more…(sniff)

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Photo compliments of Don

14 thoughts on “Last Look at Astoria…

  1. Ah shucks…I was waiting for this post and really, really hoping you’d say Pier 38 RV park wasn’t going to shut down after all. Such a bummer! So much fun seeing Astoria through your eyes again. I just love that place!

    Nina

  2. I thought maybe you and Don would decide to stay and refurbish the old place. How fun for you and your brother to enjoy the PNW together. Very special.
    Thank you for all your lovely photos and descriptions.
    Pamelab in Grand Rapids, MI for now

  3. Nice story, great vivid descriptive words. When I scan my email inbox and see one from you, I hurry to open it and race through the post allowing myself to visualize being there through your words. RV chia pets…….good one!

  4. Hard to believe it is really gone…. I was there just a week before you. Can’t believe we didn’t organize a visit!! I spent far more time at South Beach this year as I had a beach front spot and refused to move!! We are now back in Spokane, she is in school and I am pouting…..
    I shall live through you and your travels!

  5. As Kit said: wow, just wow.
    Many many years ago I drove through Astoria on the way to Seaside. I missed an awful lot. Maybe next year when we’re up in Lincoln City we can take a little more time to get up to my hometown, and go through Astoria on the way. We will have you to thank if we do!
    Looking forward to your next post.

  6. Oregon is my favorite state and Astoria is my favorite place on the coast. I, too, have noticed a big difference in how crowded the Oregon Coast has gotten. There was a time when I traveled with my husband that we didn’t make reservations. Now you’re lucky to get one booking as far in advance as allowed. Thanks for the pictures and the memories.

  7. Great text and pictures of Astoria. I loved your description in 14 and this one is equal to it. Deede aunt lived the other side of the bridge over the Colombia when we visited there in 77, had a great time, but much has changed. Enjoy having your big brother along.

  8. Hi, it’s Michael & Lady!
    Thanks so much for your great review. Yes, it’s been years now since Pier 38 RV park has been closed and I just happened to be taking a trip (reading) down memory lane… my dear old rv park. It’s sad how mismanagement after I left the first time destroyed such a unique place. Oh it wasn’t a resort by no means…no wifi,, TV… but it had much more. Character. I met some of the most wonderful people I would have never guessed I’d meet. I remember when you guys were there and what a pleasure it was to share the great adventure of rving. Because the park was owned by corporation, the effort of myself and an interest holder, Floyd Holcomb, Pier 39 director tried our best to keep the park open. We often talk about if we could just get the other interest holders to give it another chance…. Thanks to all who made my time at Pier 38 a good memory-

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