Rhododendron and Bonsai Garden in Tacoma WA

Today, Karen and I visited the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, with the largest collection in the world, north of Tacoma, Washington. It was constructed by the Weyerhaeuser Timber Company. The gardens also feature a fantastic exhibit of champion Bonsai plants at the Pacific Bonsai Museum. The gardens, close to the Interstate 5 Freeway, were surrounded by Douglas Firs.

Many companion plants were also featured: Himalayan blue poppies, camellias, magnolias, Japanese maples, and many rare plants. Many vendors were present selling a variety of plants. We purchased two rhododendrons.

The traffic from Olympia to Tacoma was extremely congested this Saturday. We found the driving experience to be frustrating and very tiring.

Astoria, Oregon

Today, I traveled from Portland to Astoria via Oregon Highway 26, 47, and 202.  This route took me through the forested areas of the Clatsop State Forest.  There are few people living in this area of northwest Oregon.  

In Astoria, I visited the port area, Godfather's Books, and lunched at the Bridgewater Bistro.  There were many Asians walking around Astoria today because a huge Cruise Ship, the Ruby Princess, had docked in Astoria.  A cold, damp, and foggy day along the Columbia River.  

Then, over the bridge to Ilwaco, WA, and my campsite at Cape Disappointment State Park, Yurt 88.  

Astoria   Population 9,500   A small town with many tourist attractions.  There are many motels, restaurants, cafes, grocery, museums, theaters, historical sights, marina, docks, hospital, gas, stores, services, supplies. 

Clatsop County   Population 38,000   The Clatsop County Courthouse is in Astoria.  Astoria is the largest city in Clatsop County. 

Astoria Images  

"Astoria is a port city and the seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1811, Astoria is the oldest city in the state of Oregon and was the first American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.[7] The county is the northwest corner of Oregon, and Astoria is located on the south shore of the Columbia River, where the river flows into the Pacific Ocean. The city is named for John Jacob Astor, an investor and entrepreneur from New York City, whose American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site and established a monopoly in the fur trade in the early nineteenth century. Astoria was incorporated by the Oregon Legislative Assembly on October 20, 1876.  he city is served by the deepwater Port of Astoria. Transportation includes the Astoria Regional Airport. U.S. Route 30 and U.S. Route 101 are the main highways, and the 4.1-mile (6.6 km) Astoria–Megler Bridge connects to neighboring Washington across the river."

Columbia River Maritime Museum

Museums in Astoria

Astoria Lodging

Fort Astoria (1811-1825) History

Astoria Food 

Astoria   History1    History2

Astoria Column Historical Tower

Charter Boat Services in Astoria 

Lower Columbia River: Astoria to Portland, Ilwaco to Vancouver

Long Beach Peninsula  

Lewis and Clark Historic Sites

Clatsop County, Oregon  Population 38,000 

Fort Clatsop  Camp of Lewis and Clark in the Winter of 1805.  Video: Winter Story

Fort Steven's State Park  A World War II military base defending the Columbia River. 

Northwest Coastal Oregon Travel Guide: Astoria to Cape Lookout.  By Mike Garofalo. 

Clatsop People

Revealing the Human Body

I have attended two of the Human Bodies Revealed exhibits.  The first exhibit was in Redding, California, at the Turtle Bay Museum, where I also conducted three introductory Qigong classes.  The second exhibit was at the OMSI museum in Portland, Oregon.  The OMSI exhibit was quite large and impressive, and well attended.  I am a supporter of more education in the medical sciences and technologies.  

Green Way Research

Ways to Improve Our Lives

Winter Readings: Native American Peoples

During the last few days,  a 2" blanket of snow has covered everything.  It has lingered for two days in the shady areas.  Nothing significant in terms of travel, and quite beautiful.  No outdoor work for awhile.  

I have been reading two books from the Fort Vancouver Regional Library, Three Creeks Community Library, in the Salmon Creek neighborhood of northwest Vancouver.  I request books online from the library, and then pick up the reserved books and browse at the nice Three Creeks branch library.  The Three Creeks Library is very close to my daughter's home in Salmon Creek.

A Guide to the Indian Tribes of the Pacific Northwest. By Robert H. Ruby, John A. Brown, Cary C. Collins. Norman, University of Oklahoma, Third Edition, 2010. Index, 415 pages. ISBN: 978-0806140247. FVRL.

Native Peoples of the Northwest: A Traveler's Guide to Land, Art, and Culture. By Jan Halliday and Gail Chehak. In cooperation with the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians. Seattle, Sasquatch Books, Second Edition, 2000. Index, appendices, map, 319 pages. ISBN: 1570612412. An excellent handbook for traveling to Native American reservations, museums, cultural centers, historical sites, businesses, festivals, artists, tours, etc., in the Northwest including British Columbia. FVRL.