I was suppose to go on an “Epicurean Food Walking Tour” today, but since I am the only person signed up, it is cancelled. Drats! The downside of traveling solo; I need people!
I have covered the major tourist sites in and around Portland, but I never finished the Oregon coast. I decide to drive to Astoria, a seaside port founded by fur traders and named after their employer, John Jacob Astor.
But first, more doughnuts!
One of my hosts prefers Blue Star Donuts, another Portland based shop. First, though, she has visited the local farmers’ market for “Hoodies” - strawberries grown around Hood River and prized for their sweetness and flavor. They don’t travel well nor last long, but these remind me of picking fresh berries as a child. A little bit of sunshine in each bite!
The line is huge at Blue Star Donuts, and I wait 40 minutes. I think about leaving, but once you are in line, you are invested.
However, there is the guy behind me coughing and blowing his nose, AND the line moves so slow w/ one person taking orders, another person filling them while she talks w/ another employee putting boxes together and dancing. He is entertaining at least, but can we get a little more organized here and speed things up?
The sign says their donuts are for “grown-ups” which I think is a dig at Voodoo’s frivolous creations. Started in 2012, Blue Star uses a French brioche recipe made fresh daily taking 18 hours to complete. They use organic, locally sourced ingredients, without additives, preservatives or artificial colors.
I order a blueberry basil bourbon (I’m told, their best-seller), a passion fruit w/ cocoa nibs and cayenne, and their suggestion of an olive oil with orange dusted w/ powder sugar. I like that each donut is served in the box with its own paper. Sometimes it’s the simple things!
Oh my gosh, the BBB - blueberry basil bourbon is the best donut EVER! Not only is the flavor incredible, but it is not overly sweet like most pastries. I lick the glaze off the paper!
Without the sweetness, I want another and dive into the passion fruit. It is almost as good as the blueberry. I love the mild heat, and I do not like spicy food! The heat remains for 10-15 minutes, but I’m wishing I had more of these. No wonder people were walking out with big boxes!
Voodoo Doughnuts is fun and an attention grabber, but my vote is for Blue Star Donuts for TASTE!
Many small towns in Oregon welcome visitors with road plaques mentioning their population...1,236 or 6,542. What happens if someone moves in or out of town or is born or gosh, dies? Is there a local who adjusts the population numbers daily?
By the time I arrive in Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River, I’m ready for a nap so the waterfront offers the perfect place to recline the seat and snooze.
It’s a beautiful day walking along the river walk. The Columbia River is huge here, and I count 2 ships docked and 6 tankers in the harbor. Known as the Great River of the West, an American sea captain named the river after his ship in 1792. Astoria became part of the vast Oregon Territory and was claimed by the U.S. in 1846.
Astoria’s downtown was built over the water since their living was based on fishing, trade and shipping. After it was destroyed by fire the second time in 1922, much of the area was filled in to create the river walk, but piers still exist.
A few miles inland is Fort Clatsop, built by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and the Corps of Discovery, during the winter of 1805-1806. Arriving finally on the west coast, the band of 33 explorers built a fort and lived here for 4 months preparing to return to Saint Louis in the spring. They named the fort in honor of the friendly local Native Americans, the Clatsop.
Nothing remains of the original fort, but a re-creation was built in 2006 based on Clark’s journal and floor plans.
Cannon Beach is a popular seaside resort in northern OR. Another beautiful state park, Ecola, provides some final moments along the coast with the beach and sea-stacks.
In the distance, Haystack Rock is one of Oregon’s most recognized landmarks.
One of my hosts suggests I stop at Camp 18 on the drive back to Portland to eat. Two men dreamed to build a huge cabin with their own logging camp which they accomplished in the 1970’s logging and hauling trees locally, then hand peeling and knife drawing them with the help of family and friends.
The huge roof ridge pole is 88 ft long and weighs 25 tons! Beautiful floors, doors, and a stone fireplace are a great setting for a celebratory birthday dinner!
I leave Oregon tomorrow heading to Washington. It’s a gorgeous state which I knew little about before visiting. There is no sales tax, and the drivers are very civilized obeying the signs on the highways, “Use the left lane only for passing.” If you have the opportunity, you should visit too; although, locals like to keep their state a secret!
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