Goonies Never Say Die! and other Astoria experiences

I have never been to Astoria before, so I was super excited when we took a day trip there from our time at Fort Stevens State Park.   

The first thing we did was to visit "The Column". I had literally no idea what it was, just that people had told me that I had to do it. On the site of the column is this symbolic Indian burial canoe that was dedicated in the 1960's to the descendants of a Clatsop chief that was friends with Lewis and Clark. Or something like that. I clearly didn't read the sign carefully to learn more about it. What I DO know is that it was pretty cool and had a great view as well. 

The burial canoe

I am also still fuzzy on this whole column deal. It seems that it was built as a symbol of the city of Astoria.  It is engraved to represent the history of Astoria.

The Astoria Column

I also know that there are amazing views from the top of it (which takes 164 steps to get to the top).

Astoria Bridge

And I also know that it is 125 feet tall, which seems more tall when you look straight down to the parking lot.

That's a long way down!

I also know that for $1 you can fly a balsa wood airplane from the top, or, if you are like my husband, you throw 7 because you want to have a balsa wood airplane fleet in the sky.

Someone is excited about his fleet of planes!

"Vroooooom"

Jason wasn't the only one getting in on the plane throwing fun. We all had fun throwing our planes. 

Ready, Set, Launch! 

And since there are no pictures to prove otherwise, I am going to declare my second plane the winner for distance (and possibly time). If you look close, it is the tiny tan thing right in the middle of this picture:

Look at my plane!!  Woot!

Safely back down on the ground, Brandy and I found a "historical" marker about how the very first cable tv happened in Astoria. Or something along those lines. It seems like I wasn't paying a lot of attention at the column. I normally soak up the facts a little better than this! 

"History Rules!!"

After the column it was time for lunch. We were going to go to the Bowpicker because my parents told us that they have the best fish (made out of TUNA!!) and chips. I was pumped, but unfortunately they were closed. So, instead, we headed to the The Ship Inn, which is right on the river. I shared the crab melt and the captains platter AND a cup of chowder (because holy cow, how much chowder can I have in 2 weeks?? I'm surprised my blood hasn't completely turned into chowder at this point!). My crab melt was really good and the platter was pretty tasty as well. And, of course, the chowder was decent (although still not Mo's - my barometer for best chowder). 

Ship Inn

While we ate lunch, Brandy and I discussed fun things that we wanted to do in Astoria. We had gotten a map from the waitress that showed some interesting places and activities. On the map was the location for the house from Goonies! So, we decided to take the drive across town to see it in all its glory. - Totally worth it. I wish I had taken a picture from the house back to where we parked because you can totally see that neighborhood and that street in the movie. 

Goonies Never Say Die!

And here it is! It looks just like it. I can totally imagine little Sean Astin leaning out that top left window with his telescope. 

The house from Goonies!

Later I found a map that had the directions for the Short Circuit house, the house from Kindergarten Cop, and the school from Kindergarten Cop, but we didn't make it. Next time!!! Astoria is pretty cool. I definitely could spend more time there!!