Today was the last for US 30, and today it headed west.  Sooner or later we will head south (tomorrow) toward San Diego. Today's route followed the course of the Columbia River, but for the most part we were too far from the river to see much of it.  We did see it a few times especially after we left Rainier and climbed up the bluff on the south side of the river.  It was very nice with the steam rising from the industrial plants across the river as the sun slanted through the low clouds surrounding them.... a bit magical.

Speaking of climbing up the bluff, this was just one of the major climbs we had for today.  Although we traveled less than fifty miles today, more than eight of those were spent in the geezer gear (smallest chain ring...sometimes called granny).  Riding along a river is not flat unless you never climb off the flood plain.  Today we did, and two of those climbs were two plus miles in length.  Other climbs added a few more miles in our lowest gear.  Good thing we're getting used to this now as we'll have lots more short steep climbs as we move down the coast.

Today was dominated by trees...those growing on both sides of the road and trucks carrying logs, chips or just going back empty to pick up another load. We were also entertained by dozens of old cars in route somewhere for a car show.  Many appeared to be 1930s vintage but there were many newer ones.  We may see them somewhere this weekend.

Our destination for today was Astoria....the major port at the mouth of the Columbia River.  The historic significance of this site is too great to relate in this short space.  The sawmills, salmon canneries and dock facilities are but a remnant of what once was.  But remnants of that past are still visible in this small city’s cultural landscape.  This is a place to spend some time.

We arrived too early to check into the B&B and so just had to stop at the Fort George Brewery.  That’s a cavatica stout on the left and a coffee girl stout, 9%, which they only serve 12 ounces.