FORT STEVENS

We have our mail bundled and forwarded to us about every 2 weeks, and our second batch since leaving AZ, arrived here in Seaside yesterday. Some have wondered why we don't receive mail at our home. The reason is that since 2002, our mail has gone to a private mailbox, at a business called Havasu Mail & Package. Over the years, we have gotten to know the family that runs this business, and they do a great job forwarding our mail when we're on the road. Thanks Bill, Betty, & Linda.

We drove the jeep north about 15 miles to the mouth of the Columbia River, and Fort Stevens State Park. Fort Stevens was one of 3 military installations that protected the ocean entrance to the Columbia River. From the civil war until after WWII, huge guns were aimed at potential enemies, but never fired at any. The pictures of the rock barriers are what now forms the south jetty, and protects the entrance to the Columbia River. Looking closely, you will see wooden posts sticking out of the rock. When I mentioned yesterday, that I can find a railroad if there's one close by, I failed to mention that I can often find evidence of railroads that have long disappeared. After I took these pictures, I found out that in the 1890's, a wooden RR Trestle was built about a mile out into the ocean. They used the trains to dump the rock that now forms the south jetty, and some of that trestle system is still visible.

After leaving Fort Stevens, we were driving through Warrenton, and stumbled upon another Fultanos Pizza. We decided to stop and see if this was the business that was still in the family of our friends Bob & Jeanette Fulton. Sure enough, we met their son Robert, had a short visit, and a pretty darned good pizza for lunch. Today, I think we'll be checking out Fort Clatsop, which is where the Lewis & Clark expedition spent the winter of 1805-06.