Day 2: Ecola State Park, Oregon

Views from Ecola State Park

After spending the night in charming Astoria, I was so excited to hit the road and sink my toes into the sand bordering the Pacific Ocean.  Remember, New England Native living in Utah, missing the ocean something fierce.  Our next stop after Astoria was to stop at Ecola State Park for some amazing views down the coastline and of Cannon Beach. We drove the 45 minutes from Astoria to Ecola State Park via Route 101, our first journey down the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway.  A park I had never heard of until some thorough "OR ROAD TRIP RESEARCH", but man am I glad I stopped at Ecola. 

Day 1: Astoria, Oregon

Astoria is a quiet coastal town at the mouth of the 1,200 mile Columbia River with a whole lot of character.  At first glance, the town has a charm to it, but was generally a little run down, a foggy memory of its historic past.  This town is home to famous movies like the Goonies and Kindergarten Cop, with a thick history dating back to Lewis and Clark.  And then there is the unpopular seasonal visitor, the California Sea Lion. 

Day 1: Vista House at Crown Point

Our last stop along Waterfall Drive was a beautiful spot I had heard about perched above the Columbia River.  More of a scenic overview than an "activity spot" if you will.  The Vista House was built in 1917 as a stopping point for tourists along the Historic Columbia River Highway and through the gorge. The house is run by a non-profit group in partnership with the state park program. 

Day 1: Oregon Road Trip: Waterfalls of the Historic Columbia River Highway

Our first official stop of the trip was to hike and stop along Waterfall Drive.  Now waterfall drive isn't a real thing, but it's the pseudo name we made for the beautiful drive along Historic Columbia River Highway (a scenic byway - Route 30 in Oregon).  You could easily spend a few days driving down this 70 mile scenic drive, hiking and exploring all of these trails, parks, and viewpoints along the way (and I would have lovvved to).  However, we were on a tight schedule so we had to improvise.  A hike, a few stops, and lot of fun exploring this area (I had never even heard of until this trip!). 

Historic Columbia River Highway Map

Our "Waterfall Drive Waypoints" were:

--a Hike at Horsetail Falls, Ponytail Falls and Oneonta Falls,

 --stopping to view Multnomah Falls,

 --a stop at Guy W. Talbot State Park to see Latourell Falls, 

Day 1: Oregon Road Trip: Columbia River

I have to admit.  I have fallen in love with the idea of the Pacific Northwest.  I spent some time in Northern California, as well as Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington.  I have to also admit, that many moons ago, I planned a trip to visit friends in Seattle for Thatcher's birthday as a way to lure him to the Pacific Northwest (specifically Seattle).  I was smitten with the idea of living by the Puget Sound, with the Pacific at my door step and a whole new range of adventure.

Somehow I landed in Utah, and I have to admit, it all worked out.

After visiting a few gorgeous spots on the Pacific Coast (especially northern CA and Seattle) the Oregon Coast gained top ranking on my "must see" list while living out West.  I had visited Portland, Oregon which wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but I knew the coast would be something right up my alley (read ocean, sea lions and seafood). 

Total Road Trip Map and Miles