By the Seaside

A road trip within a road trip seems to be an ongoing tradition for me. After spending just under a week in Grants Pass, we loaded up the truck to escape the smokey air of another southern Oregon fire season and headed up the I-5 to the coastal beach town of Seaside. 

Our base for the weekend overlooked the waters of the Necanicum River. A few Oregon craft beer and a riverside balcony fire pit is not the worst way I've ever spent an evening. 

We filled the next day exploring the towns of Seaside and Astoria. In between the two is Sunset Beach, which you are allowed to drive your vehicle on. 

Yes, please.

A little further along, near Fort Stevens State Park...

"Wanna see a shipwreck?"

Seriously, though, what kind of question is that?

The Peter Iredale wrecked at Warrenton, Oregon on October 25, 1906. Though intentions were to re-sail the ship, it had become so entombed in sand by the time the weather cleared enough for the move that the plan was abandoned and, despite salvage rights being sold in 1917, it remains where it landed over a century ago to this day.

Onward to Astoria, where we did a drive-by tour of the house from the Goonies movie (currently barricaded and blocked off to tourists and locals alike) and the school featured in Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1990 'Kindergarten Cop'.

Then a visit to Pier 39 for a bite to eat and a bit more of the local finery.

The Tourist II has a fantastic history (read about it here) and is currently only used for special events and tourist excursions in the area. I spotted it moored at the docks of Pier 39.

A little bit more of the local offerings...

And then it's back to Seaside to wander the boardwalk of this storybook beach town.

On our way back, we passed a beach wedding and I was able to capture this beautiful little girl making her way to the ceremony. I have since located the bride through the magic of Google and the information provided on the sign, and been able to give her an extra little piece of her day.

Seaside is a tiny town, but one day was not enough to cover all of the charm this bit of utopia has to offer. I look forward to returning, camera in hand, and sand under my feet.