Fort Stevens

As we are staying in the state park, this was a totally free day of sightseeing. We toured the visitor center, watched a film on the bombing of Fort Stevens by the Japanese I-25 submarine in June 1942, and then walked and walked and WALKED around the ruins of Civil War Earthen  "Emplacements," WW 2 Batteries, and the remnants of a WW2 Army post. I had read Fort Stevens had a "replica of a Clatsop village." I eagerly watched for it as we walked around the beautiful compound.

 

 

Fort Stevens was named in honor of Maj General Isaac Ingalls Stevens, killed in action in July 1862. The fort was completed April 8, 1865, one day before the Confederacy surrendered at Appomattox. It went on to serve as an Army post in WW1 and WW2. `

This was a lot of walking and climbing. Truthfully, about 2/3 of the way through the day  (3 hours) I looked like Michael does when I'm shopping at the mall. All the batteries looked the same, I wanted to sit on a bench and wait for him and it seemed we'd NEVER get to the last item on the map - I think there were 39.

Japanese Sub I25 on OR coast

Playing Hogan's Heroes

"Powder Room"

A gun
 

Battery

 

Last to leave the chapel wherever we are
 

Dark tunnels and hallways - photo taken to illuminate area - thus Stacia's grip on Nolan

Stevens Battery

Hands on learning

 

 

I kept persevering as I knew we hadn't reached the replica of the Clatsop Village ....turns out it was #39 on the walking tour...then I saw it...a sign....and this is all that was there....I'm not sure one log counts as a replica.  At least it was at the site of the village....

This is not a replica of a Clatsop Village - but it was cool

 

Forgive the whine - I had one hour of sleep last night as Yuuki was determined to get outside and chase raccoons. They were tormenting her. I did enjoy the 0315 look at the stars as I walked her.  Maybe if I'd been more rested, I wouldn't have tired so quickly? I probably would have remembered to pack a lunch - which would have helped too. ::grin::

The area IS beautiful! The weather was WARM.  We learned lots of new things. We didn't realize Fort Stevens was shelled by a Japanese sub...and that it was the first time since 1812 that America had been attacked on the continent......We hadn't realized bombs were dropped by Japan on the forests in Oregon and Washington in the hopes of starting fires..... We were able to talk to a lady who was 5 years old when the attack came....her memories of black out curtains, birthday cake eaten in the dark et al, brought history alive.

Bandits at 9 O'clock

Posted by MEG

We had a nice evening sitting around the campfire, enjoying the  clear skies, eating s'mores.  Nolan and I played a round of cribbage.  I had a great night - Nolan probably does not want to go on the record on this one except maybe a bit of grumbling about a massive mugging.  (Yeah, you got to play to know what that is all about.)

 Everyone had gone inside.    It was around 9 o' clock when Nolan noticed a critter on the picnic table.  A raccoon had gotten up on the picnic table and stole a bag of graham crackers while Nolan and I were sitting not more than six feet away.  These were some rather bold interlopers.  We got a couple of pics before we called it a night.  Before going in, though, we made sure all of the compartments were shut and locked.

Fort Clatsop

Did you know the Corp saw only six days of sun during their stay at Fort Clatsop? They made more maps and journal entries at Fort Clatsop than any other location on their journey. Collectively, the Corps made 340 pairs of moccasins for their trip home during their stay.

 

We visited Fort Clatsop near Astoria, OR  today. Fort Clatsop hosts a visitor center with interesting exhibits and two film presentations: one from the perspective of the Clatsop tribe and one over-viewing the Corps of Discovery.  I found the varying perspectives captivating - both thinking the other group a bit rude and odd.  Admission fees are $3 in the winter. We were able to  use our National Parks Pass and get in for free.

Taking Jr Ranger work seriously

There are also two trailheads at the fort: Fort to Sea Trail  and the  Netul River Trail and paths to wander through the woods.

We found the replica of the fort, built by the Corps when they wintered here from Dec 1805 - March 1806, to be one of the highlights of the center.  The river is beautiful.

 

We wanted to find the canoe landing outside the fort. Michael opted to stay at the center- too  much walking the past few days. The kids and I  set off....

 

It turns out we were actually on the popular Netul River Trail and not on the way to the canoe landing at all. We did comment several times that it made little sense to land the canoes so far downriver. It was an invigorating two mile hike as we didn't want Michael to be alone too long.

 

On our return to the fort area we noticed the Canoe Landing SAYS it is only 200 yards....ah well...it was a pleasant hike anyway.  

 

This river is actually called the Lewis and Clark River, but the park labeled the trail the Netul River Trail to honor the Clatsop nation. This is the river the Corps came up when looking for a winter encampment in 1805.

 

Hiking the Netul River Trail was one of the activities listed for Jr Rangers. Stacia had visited enough of the sites and done enough activities to earn the "President" ranking as well as a certificate and a nice iron on badge.

Columbia River Bar

Posted by MEG

 

One of the most violent bits of waterway is its estuary - the place where the river and the ocean meet.  The Columbia River bar is one of the worst anywhere in the world.  The mighty Columbia's massive flow of fresh water meets the onrushing Pacific Ocean as they are in a constant state of trying to reach equilibrium - a balance they will never find.  An incoming tide and a rain-swollen river are the two key ingredients for the most violent of these encounters.  Today was not that day, fortunately.

 

 

We had stopped at another spot to look at the Columbia, and saw a large freighter working its way down the channel.  Wanting to see it go over the Columbia River bar, we rushed over to another point a little downstream.  Alas, the ship channel turned away  from our bank of the river to center itself for its trip over the bar.  Also, it turned out to be a much further trek to a good viewing point than we had guessed.  We tried to walk out on the jetty, but it was home to some very big and very jaggedly placed rocks.  the crossing was very much slower than we anticipated.  The jetty runs a long ways out into the Pacific.  We were only able to go a short distance out before we realized the sun was going to set before we got out as far as we wished so we turned back. 

 

 

It was interesting to see the waves crashing into the jetty.  With each wave came a thundering splash of ocean spray, and yet, the jetty remained unmoved.  It absorbed the pounding of the waves as if it cared not about the niggling presence of the Pacific Ocean.  And there we stood, safe from the pounding waves - the same waves that only a couple miles down the beach destroyed the iron ship, the Peter Iredale.  So is the one who stands firm on the word of God.  Though the waves crash or the storms rage, he who stands firm on God's word will remain.

 

Let's Go Fly a Kite

We couldn't help noticing as we walked along the beach and explored the Peter Iredale Shipwreck, there were no TREES in sight and there WAS a wind.  We've been looking for these kite-flying conditions since Launny gave us a couple of new kites.

 

This kite is incredible. Check it out - it's a pair of LEGS. There was a cross-country race going on at the beach....who could resist?

 

We all had fun flying the legs....this kite has NO STICKS... we need to find more like it.

 

The kite is designed by Martin Lester and sold by New Tech Kites.

Peter Iredale Shipwreck

Fort Stevens State Park is AMAZING. One of the intriguing things to see in this 3, 763 acre park is the Peter Iredale Shipwreck.

 

The Peter Iredale was a four-masted steel ship built in England in 1890 and owned by the British shipping firm Iredale & Porter. It was bound for Portland, OR, where it was to pick up a cargo of wheat for the United Kingdom. In the early morning of October 25, "a heavy southwest wind blew and a strong current prevailed. Before the vessel could be veered around, she was in the breakers and all efforts to her off were unavailing."

She came to rest at Clatsop Beach. The lifesaving station at Point Adams quickly responded and no lives were lost. The wrecked ship became an immediate tourist attraction and continues to be so.

 

Clark's Dismal Nitch

 

Imagine it's 1805, you've been on an expedition across the continent of America. Your fresh food has run out. Your clothes are rotting off your back and you are traveling as fast as you can down the Columbia River to meet one of the last trading ships of the season. You have an unlimited line of credit from President Jefferson and plan to refill your stocks soon. This is the situation the Corps of Discovery found themselves in that November 1805.

Instead, they ran into some of their most treacherous moments. A fierce Pacific storm pinned them to this small, rocky cove that is little more than jagged rocks and steep hillside. Capt. William Clark described the spot as "that dismal little nitch," and the name stuck. For six days the Corps was trapped by fierce wind and high waves.  For only the second time in the expedition Clark wrote he was concerned for the safety of the corps. He also wrote,  “A feeling person would be distressed by our situation.” They were in danger of floundering within a few miles of their goal - the Pacific Ocean.

The storm broke, they missed the trading ship but reached their goal.  They moved on to Station Camp and then to establish a winter camp among the Clatsop tribe. You can read more about this incident here.

 

This is a beautiful little rest area now.  On this sunny day it was hard to imagine the danger the Corps of Discovery faced. The scenery is beautiful as you look across the Columbia River into the state of Oregon. Eagles nest nearby and sea lions and seals chase salmon in the waters below. Quite a few stopped to read the informational signs along the walk.

Little dots are sea lions

 We declared we've seen Washington now. We'll go ahead and put the sticker on our map.  I look forward to future trips - we've just scratched the surface. It's time to move on to Oregon.