Oregon- Washington coast

We're on vacation! Hubby and I went north a few days ago and landed in Astoria. This is a part of the country we have never been. Have you seen the Columbia River where it meets the sea? Beautiful. We have been drinking a lot of coffee, which leads to a lot of conversations with locals and others. We're staying at the Astoria Inn, a B and B with only 4 rooms. The forest greets us at the back of the house. Endless green, with the scent of rain always on the edge of the breeze.
On the other side of the Columbia river is Washington state. The bridges all seem to be small, skinny and high over the river. Its like a ride at Magic Mountain going across the river! Two lighthouses on Cape Disappointment frame the cape for oncoming boats and ships. The Columbia River has a huge sand bar that has been the ruin of many ships since before Lewis and Clark arrived on this side of the continent. The history of ship wrecks and life on the Columbia is well documented at the Maritime Museum in Astoria. On this lovely day in July, one can hardly believe the tales of rough water and peril faced by the seafarers, fishermen and loggers of long ago.
We traveled East through Portland and found the Columbia river gorge. As some would say, "Gorgeous". Several waterfalls are found on a ten mile stretch of historic Oregon highway 30. We stayed in Bridal Veil at the lodge that has been there since 1926. Across the street is the Bridal Veil fall. A lovely place, so quiet at night.
It was a relaxing time.