September 18, 2022
Day 9 - Cathlamet to Astoria
Today’s route took us west and across the border from Washington to Oregon.
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We couldn’t have asked for better weather. Though our tents were wet with few, the sky was clear and the day promised to be warm. And waking up next to the river filled me with a sense of calm anticipation.
We rode back through the sleeping town, and just a few miles to catch the ferry that would take us across the River and into Oregon.
At 9:00 AM we said goodbye to Washington and boarded the ferry, which was much smaller than I expected, with only enough room for about 8 or 10 cars plus our bikes and pedestrians.
Once on land we cycled together until the first significant climb, which came around mile 8. Climbing at our individual paces broke is naturally into smaller groups. Many of us ride alone for large periods of time.
We took several detours off the main highway and into quiet rural roads that followed the Knappa Slough. I took a detour of my own to investigate the view from a bridge.
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Another of our detours took us by the Twilight Eagle Sanctuary, a wetland area viewable on the Burnside Loop, which runs alongside the Columbia River Hwy. it was an awe-inspiring sight, but we didn’t see any eagles.
As we entered Astoria, we moved onto the bike and pedestrian path that runs along the river. From here we had a good view of the Astoria bridge and the sea lions on the docks.
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We stopped at the Maritime Museum, ate lunch on a bench overlooking the water and the Columbia, a light ship that was deployed from the 1950s to the late 1970s because there was no lighthouse.
I spent some time in the museum, which I highly recommend if you ever find yourself in Astoria. They have these amazing lifesized displays depicting life on the water of the Columbia.
Finally, I got back on my bike and headed out of town to the KOA, our destination for the night. All in all, it was a perfect day.
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And here’s my video compilation of the day.
Today's ride: 47 miles (76 km)
Total: 408 miles (657 km)
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