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From our room at the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa we watched tugboats pulling barges under the bridge and into the river on their way to Portland docks. e view wasn't the only reason we adored this beautiful boutique property. We also appreciated the proximity to Bridgewater Bistro, where we sampled the local flavors for which Oregon is renowned. My sea bass was flavored with in-season morels and wild huckleberries, and Richard enjoyed Willapa Bay oysters and savory Dungeness crab cheesecake. To learn more about Astoria, we spent some time at the Columbia River Maritime Museum and then moved on to Fort George Brewery + Public House, where they brew untold varieties of beer. Is this spot popular? Astoria has a population of about 10,000; this brewery takes up an entire city block. And when we were there, nearly every seat was filled by a happy occupant. We weren't traveling with offspring who are studying the Lewis and Clark Expedition, but we still enjoyed the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. e famous explorers stayed here at Fort Clatsop in the winter months of 1805-06. By the time we left Astoria, I was beginning to realize that coastal Oregon has little in common with Southern California. In fact, there were times when I felt like I was in a foreign country. I loved the lack of chain stores and eateries, and I appreciated the concern for the environment and the pervasive kindness. In short, coastal Oregon reminded me of New Zealand. Perfection on the Pacific We spent ten days touring Northern Oregon and if I could only go back to one place, it would be Cannon Beach. e town, with a population of about 1,500, is known for its long, flat beach and the 235-foot-tall Haystack Rock, a basalt sea stack that rises dramatically from the ocean. At low tide, vibrant tide pools here reveal mussels, barnacles, snails, sea anemones, crabs, and orange sea stars. Haystack Rock is also a haven for 22 kinds of birds including cormorants, gulls, and puffins. I appreciate that team members from the Haystack Rock Awareness Program set up telescopes on the beach and I was able to clearly see a tufted puffin with a distinctive orange beak. I also enjoyed the firm sand for walking, the lack of crowds, and the mellow, pet-friendly, detour destinations << ranchandcoast.com 70 AUGUST 2023 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE ASTORIA - MEGLER BRIDGE: PHOTO COURTESY OF TRAVEL PORTLAND