Fort Clatsop

July 1
We have been full timers for a full month now! Wahoo!!! We are still newbees. Getting better at it, but we still feel like we are on an extended vacation. We really do miss our family! We love you all!

We went to North Coast Family Fellowship (NCFF), a Baptist church that has a 9:30 service that was very good! great worship, great teaching. The 11:00 service was supposed to be more traditional with hymns, etc.. We felt right at home. We have been very fortunate so far as to the churches we have been led to attend!

After church we went to Warrenton to Fort Clatsop. We have been there twice before. Last time was 8 years ago with the Blankenbillers. On the way we stopped at Dairy Maid hamburger stand. the burgers tasted exactly like Winns burgers in Oxnard!

Dairy Maid

Fort Clatsop was a fort that Lewis and Clark settled in Clatsop Indian territory. This fort is actually a reproduction as the original fort has burned down.

Fort Clatsop sign

In this picture at the entrance of the fort you see Patty on the left and a gentleman sitting on the right. I thought he looked familiar. I looked at pictures from 8 years ago and found an old picture of  'Larry'. Yep the same guy from 8 years ago, and his name really is Larry. Confirmed today from someone who knows him!

Larry Guarding the fort today

Larry in the fort 8 years ago!

Larry in 2004

We Came out of the visitor center and there stood a statue of Sacagawea. She was the American Indian who helped the Lewis and Clark encampment. 

Sacagawea

I'm thinking that she was not at the visitor center but at Netul Landing parking lot. Netul Landing is about 1.5 miles away from the fort. 8 years ago during the bi-centennial you would park there and they would bus you to the fort.


Here is a picture from 2004 of Sacagawea in the parking lot with Krista Blankenbiller Zatz and our son Matthew.

Sacagawea in 2004

 Finally here is a picture today of Patty where Sacagawea used to stand!

Sacagawea in 2012!

It turns out that several years ago some dimwhit cut off Sacagawea at the ankles to sell her as scrap mettle. Fortunately they caught the scroundle and he was properly prosecuted!  Unfortunately Sacagawea was cut into pieces and could not be salvaged. They had to re-cast her and put her in a safer place.


Here are living Quarters in the fort. After touring the fort we decided to walk the 3 miles round trip to the Netul Landing. Netul was formally the name of the Lewis and Clark River.

Living Quarters in Fort

There are several boardwalks on the trail to Netul Landing. We really enjoy the boardwalks for some reason!

Boardwalk

Continuing on the trail to the landing.

Trail

We saw alot of these purple bell shaped flowers on the trail. Not sure what they are but they are pretty!

Flowers

This bridge was on the way to the landing. The reeds were growing up through the boards.

Bridge

We made it to the Landing. 1.5 miles each way. Doesn't seem so far when the scenery is so awesome! The pilings sticking out were originally 60-80' tall trees that were used to tie lumber to. When replaced they would use steel.

Netul Landing

Now it is time to head back. We saw stuff going back we didn't see going. Somehow it also seemed shorter going back?? We don't get that.

More flowers

All the trees had moss on the trunks. It really stays wet around here!

Green trees

Well we made it back. 

Please give us feedback if you enjoy reading the blog. We miss you, and love you.

Brian and Patty