November 6, 2016 - Blow Your Float

Astoria, Oregon is rich with history. Not just plain old history, but tales of renegade sailors, shipwrecks and houses of ill repute. Inhabitants of beautifully restored Victorian homes proudly display historical markers that explain their home was once a famous brothel favored by the sailors.

The 125-foot Astoria column built in 1926 has the exterior decorated with drawings telling the story of the town. The 164-step spiral staircase inside takes you to a 360 view of the mouth of the Columbia and the harbor.

Columbia River emptying into Pacific

The Columbia River bar where the river empties into the Pacific is one of the most dangerous in the world. Every commercial vessel entering the river must be boarded and maneuvered in by one of a dozen Bar Pilots. The churning of the currents at the bar is amazing.

Astoria is also home to an artist’s enclave. We both found glass blowing really interesting and took a class from an artisan that let us blow our own glass floats reminiscent of the glass floats once used on fishing nets. Blowing glass is no easy task, and hot as hell. Our floats came out great and are safely tucked away so they don’t get damaged in Scoop’s jostling.