Friday, September 1, 2017

I wished Pam & JC a Happy Anniversary. We walked our dogs and almost got mowed down by two kids coming downhill on the bike/walk path at about 40 mph on their bikes! They do NOT read the sign that says bikes are to yield to pedestrians! They are having too much fun going fast! Plus they probably don't know the meaning of "yield or pedestrian". We survived!

Our Campsite and Buster being calm. Then we left our dogs in the RV and went to tour Fort Clatsop. I flashed my new Senior Park Pass and we got in free (saved $10), Woo Hoo!

We started out at the fort and looked around a little, then they had a talk on the Kentucky Long Rifle by a Ranger - who told a great story.

Next we hiked toward the place we walked yesterday with another Ranger and she told us some Native American stories. She was a good story teller. Great information.

We returned to the fort and checked the visitor center exhibits and talked to another Ranger about fur. We saw his display. He had mink, ermine, sea otters, beaver, red fox, wolf, bobcat, cougar, elk, black bear, badger, skunk, and coyote pelts all on display! He discussed how they were prepared and tanned in early days. I have no earthly idea why I didn't get pictures of him and the pelts. I think it was too shadowy under his shade tent. In case it isn't obvious, I love the history of the Lewis and Clark expedition. If you have never pondered it, read the book by Steven Ambrose. The journey and exploration they undertook was enormous! Plus they were going into uncharted territory basically. They made many scientific discoveries, charted their findings and made maps that were highly accurate. The total undertaking from provisioning to the journey and all their findings always stirs my imagination. Then we went back to the RV. Later after resting we went to the north end of the park where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean and walked the dogs. This is an amazing sight! This area was mostly deserted as it was almost dark. I think it was too dark to take pictures - I don't have any. There was a nice wooden, elevated, walkway out to a bird blind that we enjoyed. And just listening to the waves crash, and the water move is awesome. It was a lovely day and evening.

Thursday, August 31, 2017- Netul Landing Trail at Fort Clatsop

Wow! August is over! This state park has about 500 campsites - so Huge! Our site is large and has a lot of trees between sites, so we don't feel crowded by neighbors. It is difficult at times to walk our dogs. This morning we drove to one of the beach parking places and walked on the paved path for bikers and hikers. Buster doesn't like bicycles so he almost goes crazy when they come by. Plus some of those on bikes almost run over pedestrians - even though the sign clearly states they are to yield to people walking. I have been trying to have Buster sit and I try to calm him down. He has anxiety I guess and he and Zoey are cute so people want to talk to us or them and we have to warn them away before he becomes a crazed, wild dog. So most of our dog walks are quite an adventure. Then we decided to check out Fort Clatsop and Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. This location is where Lewis and Clark wintered during their exploration of Missouri River and the Path to the Pacific Ocean. I went inside and found out there is a fort replica behind the main building and there are some trails. So back in the pickup and off to a trailhead site. We walked the Netul Landing Trail alongside the Lewis & Clark River-there were two families having a picnic there and a few people walking. No bikes. More calm and serene. A lovely little hike with the dogs.

These cute wooden decorations were near the picnic area.

Flowers along the trail. The other pictures are of pilings in the river. We found out that these are not removed because they might be used again and they are not the easiest things to install. A pile driver is used. This river was quite a commercial entity at one time.

This building displayed many informational signs about Lewis and Clark. Plus had picnic tables, a restroom, and seats for a rest.

This is a bush changing colors.

We returned to the RV and had a rest then a campfire. We ate burgers, chips and berries for supper, Yum!