Astoria
It was misty and moist in Astoria, Oregon today – exactly as you'd expect in this Pacific Northwest temperate rainforest. In the early morning we visited the Columbia River Maritime Museum and learned about the history of the famously fierce Columbia River "bar". Later in the morning, we traveled several miles outside of town to visit Ft. Clatsop, the site of the Corps of Discovery's winter camp on the coast. As we walked through the lush rainforest surrounding the camp, we encountered many fall fungi. Among the leaf litter, deer fern and step moss carpeting the forest floor, this Violet Cort (Cortinarius violaceus) and Questionable Stropharia (Stropharia ambigua) were impossible to miss.
After lunch several guests decided to take advantage of our proximity to the Pacific Ocean and make the trip out to the beach at Ft. Stevens State Park. Others combed the antique shops of Astoria, in search of the perfect treasure. As we pulled off the dock late in the afternoon, we watched California sea lions foraging for fish and gulls diving for the leftovers. A lively Halloween & farewell party made a perfect end to a wonderful trip.
It was misty and moist in Astoria, Oregon today – exactly as you'd expect in this Pacific Northwest temperate rainforest. In the early morning we visited the Columbia River Maritime Museum and learned about the history of the famously fierce Columbia River "bar". Later in the morning, we traveled several miles outside of town to visit Ft. Clatsop, the site of the Corps of Discovery's winter camp on the coast. As we walked through the lush rainforest surrounding the camp, we encountered many fall fungi. Among the leaf litter, deer fern and step moss carpeting the forest floor, this Violet Cort (Cortinarius violaceus) and Questionable Stropharia (Stropharia ambigua) were impossible to miss.
After lunch several guests decided to take advantage of our proximity to the Pacific Ocean and make the trip out to the beach at Ft. Stevens State Park. Others combed the antique shops of Astoria, in search of the perfect treasure. As we pulled off the dock late in the afternoon, we watched California sea lions foraging for fish and gulls diving for the leftovers. A lively Halloween & farewell party made a perfect end to a wonderful trip.
