Columbia River Maritime Museum & Trolley Tour, Astoria

June 30th, 2016 

We went to Astoria to the Columbia River Maritime Museum.  Outside the museum is the Lightship Columbia.  Lightships are quite rare. The last one we saw was in South Wales when we were visiting Ian, Kris & the boys.  We couldn't go on that one but this one we could.

I assume this is officers quarters with a window view!!!

Sailor's Quarters

A steamboat was visiting

The Coastguard

LST Propeller

Fresnel lens

Samurai Swords

The Yosegaki Hinomaru or Good Luck flags shown below were flags that were carried by Japanese soldiers in WWII.  They were given to them by their families who wrote good wishes on them for a safe return and signed them.  These flags were brought back by American soldiers who took them as souvenirs.  Now, many veterans realize what these meant to the Japanese families and are striving to locate family members so that they can be returned.  The Obon Society was formed to help facilitate the return of these flags and they are working on locating family members from the signatures and names on these flags.

Here is a VIDEO that shows a flag being returned to a Japanese soldiers younger brother in 2014.  I watched this in the museum and have to warn you be prepared to shed a few tears.

Steamboats (Sternwheeler) that navigate the Columbia River.

The bridge from the USS Knapp is located in the museum.  It was placed here and then the museum was built around it.

Sue peeking over the bridge of USS Knapp

Captain of the ship

There was a lot of information in the museum and it is well worth a visit.

After walking around and looking at everything we decided to take the Astoria Riverboat Trolley for a tour to learn more about Astoria.  It was $2 for an all day on/off tour.  The complete trip takes about an hour and is quite interesting.  The trolley stop was right by the Museum and it was nice to give our feet a rest.

Tankers moor here in the Columbia River as it is free.  If they go further up river there is a fee.  According to the tide they will turn and we saw them at different angles during the day.

The Astoria Megler Bridge which completed the US101 from Olympia,Washington to Los Angeles.  It is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America at 4.1 miles.  You cross the border from Oregon to Washington while you are on the bridge.

                            

A memorial was dedicated for primarily the shipping, maritime, and fishing industry locals, although there are other locals remembered here also.

A double decker bus

Smallest City Park

The trolley tour was informative and a nice way to spend an hour.

We stopped in Costco on the way home and joined.  We can fill up Lily on our way out of here and there is a Costco near to us when we return to San Diego so we will use it then as well.

Until the next time, take care.