[vikram31]

Day 6 – Astoria, OR to Seattle, WA



The plan was to leave Astoria in the morning and head straight to Seattle. However, we gathered some local knowledge at the diner that there were some fantastic points to visit in the small town.

Stop #1: Astoria Column

This is a gorgeous pillar with incredible paintings on the outside. There is a near 10 story climb to get to the tower from where its tradition to fly paper planes into the city/ocean. Needless to say, gorgeous ocean views and the walk up and down is a refreshing and rewarding exercise









Even the drive back into town at daytime was a gorgeous site:



Stop#2: Wreck of the Peter Iredale

This is literally a photo stop. There is an age old shipwreck that hasn’t been touched or messed around with right at the edge of the sea. According to Wiki, Sailing from Salina Cruz, Mexico, on or about September 26, 1906, Peter Iredale was bound for Portland, Oregon. Under strong winds out of the west, an attempt was made to wear the ship away from shore, but a heavy northwest squall grounded Peter Iredale on Clatsop Sands (now called Clatsop Spit). High seas and wind drove the ship ashore.

There was little damage to the hull and plans were made to tow the ship back to sea, but after several weeks waiting for favorable weather and ocean conditions, the ship had listed to the port (left) and become embedded in the sands. Though the wreck was never actually broken up, all that currently remains is the bow, a few ribs, and a couple of masts.

Captain Lawrence's final toast to his ship was: "May God bless you, and may your bones bleach in the sands.

In text book style clicked the wreck and some photos at the nearby lake





Our final stop in Astoria led us back to the Astoria bridge and this time we could click it in much better light:








Stop #3: Fort Columbia

This is an old fort that has now been turned into a guest house and view point. Gorgeous bay views and a handsomely waving US flag make this a must do in Astoria






We covered the above 3 stops and were ready to leave for our final road trip destination, Seattle by noon

The drive to Seattle was also part Oceanside and part forest but we crossed some amazing fishing towns that whipped up our appetite. Stopped by a roadside truck called Lisa’s fish and chips and had a reasonable lunch.




This was our last stop before Seattle. The long 200 mile drive to Seattle was actually boring given it was a national highway and we had left the coast soon after Fort Columbia
Seattle, like Portland and SFO is a bustling modern city and is headquarters for biggies like Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks and Boeing. The city had an incredible charm owing to some of the local markets, the waterfront and the university area. We explored each of these places on foot over the next 2 days.

Some pics as we just casually roamed the city in the evening:








Oops, I am out of attachments again! A new post coming up tomorrow!

[vikram31]

Day 6 contd...

Here are a few more pics from our first night in Seattle




We retired for the day at the Travelodge again:


Day 7: Local touring in Seattle

Stop #1: Pike Place Market – The local market with fresh flowers, food and shopping galore over an old multi storey building with harbor views
















Had the good fortune of visiting the world's first Starbucks!




Stop #2: Snoqualmie Falls – US’s answer to doodh sagar and Kempty Falls perhaps. It was cold and wet so did the best I could with the pics…








Stop #3: Kirkland – Like I mentioned before, every large town has this holiday mecca near it. Well, Kirkland is the answer to Seattle’s need. Located around 30 mins away from downtown, this is a Bayfront down with chic eating and dining options and lifestyle friendly locations. Steeping rows of expensive housing overlooking the bay, a great waterfront and warm, easy people



Stop #4: Mercer Island – Seattle is surrounded by waterbodies and a complex web of tunnels and bridges takes you to beautiful islands that have waterside parks, a great food and shopping district



Also, one couldnt be in Seattle and not click Microsoft!



Well folks, this was the last click on our trip as we drove our car to drop it at the Seattle aiport..Some clicks from the route..

[vikram31]

I hope you guys like my travelogue. Here is a mandatory parting pic with the ODO:



Also some random pics:

Me posing with an actual engine at the Boeing factory and then having a great meal




At a local brewery near Pacifica, SFO:



Peruvian meat platter:



A gorgeous pizza at the University area in Seattle:



A bubbly at the Korbel winery:



Enjoyed a middle eastern speciality, Lahmacun at Seattle:



Chinese buffett at a traditional chinese diner:



Vietnamese Pho:



well, thats all folks!!

[ampere]

One: The country is blessed and Two; so are you to be able to roam around ! What natural colors. And the best part ? You get to drive on 2-lanes!

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by vikram31

I hope you guys like my travelogue.

Wonderful travelogue…! What I liked the most is that it felt like an old school travel which is more about absorbing the culture and experience rather than doing a tourist trail

Originally Posted by vikram31

Had the good fortune of visiting the world's first Starbucks!

This is one place I want to visit one day. If I remember correctly, Pike Place Market Starbucks is the only outlet which still keeps their original logo.

[vikram31]

Originally Posted by ampere

One: The country is blessed and Two; so are you to be able to roam around ! What natural colors. And the best part ? You get to drive on 2-lanes!

Hey ampere! Yes I agree. driving was honestly more pleasurable than the sights. Unfortunately that can only be experienced and not clicked

Originally Posted by vb-san

Wonderful travelogue…! What I liked the most is that it felt like an old school travel which is more about absorbing the culture and experience rather than doing a tourist trail


This is one place I want to visit one day. If I remember correctly, Pike Place Market Starbucks is the only outlet which still keeps their original logo.

I always prefer to be a local where I travel. One can absorb so much more then...my other option was to do the classic SFO to San Diego route which I skipped for this very reason.

Yes the Starbucks logo from 1971 is intact!

[benbsb29]

I absolutely loved reading your travelogue, Vikram. (Y) Between looks like your good friend is camera shy, explains not being present even in a single pic! LOL

For someone like me who has never been to the US, it provided a chance to see the country through non touristy eyes, and for the sheer variety on offer. Your travel style resonates a lot with mine as well. When visiting a place, i hate to carry food so i can get to sample the local cuisine.

Looking forward to the Europe travelogue. I am sure it will be worth looking forward to.

EDIT : Added rating!

[vikram31]

Originally Posted by benbsb29

I absolutely loved reading your travelogue, Vikram. (Y) Between looks like your good friend is camera shy, explains not being present even in a single pic! LOL

For someone like me who has never been to the US, it provided a chance to see the country through non touristy eyes, and for the sheer variety on offer. Your travel style resonates a lot with mine as well. When visiting a place, i hate to carry food so i can get to sample the local cuisine.

Looking forward to the Europe travelogue. I am sure it will be worth looking forward to.

EDIT : Added rating!

Thanks a lot..My friend is not camera shy at all but wanted his permission before posting. will get that and add some pics..The Euro trip was with the family (wifey and 2 kids) .. 2k kms across 3 countries..will send that v shortly

Cheers

[selfdrive]

Awesome account of your trip. An area that I have never seen before, and I am amazed by the natural beauty and some of the real unspoilt local town sights.

This type of travel is very close to my heart. One where I would be happy to omit a few destinations on my checklist, but be able to enjoy a local meal or sit quietly at the shores of a lake or stand at a pier just gazing out. Not just hop on to a bus which takes you to the mandatory tourist traps all over.

There are many pics that make me scroll back up. I look forward to the Europe trip as that might cover a few places I have been to. The only complaint I have with the West coast is that it is so far away that a reasonable trip eats away a lot into the holiday quota for the year. Regardless, your fantastic account almost mandates a roadtrip in this section to be included; should I ever finalise that trip.

Originally Posted by vikram31

Bang on..thats the bottom spot on Lombard where we just drove thru instead of stopping.

I always wonder what would happen if they make the street one way in the other direction

[coriollis]

Awesome travelogue Vikram !!

Nothing like a road-trip to chill out with buddies.
Loved your pictures, and the foodie in me is craving for the local delicacies instantly.

Now I have to really accelerate my planning, to visit my brother who stays in San Jose.

Cheers,

AB

[CornerCarver]

I must admit!! I am stunned and left speechless. Such an amazing place or rather places and an even better travelogue covering these in crisp detail. The Photos, the Roads, The Scenic Vistas and most importantly the Drive, its all so mesmerizing. Wishing you all the best, thanks for making my weekend and providing some soothing relief for our summer parched eyes and souls. .

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by vikram31

Me posing with an actual engine at the Boeing factory and then having a great meal

Nice Pictures!

Couldn't help noticing that you bought something at the official Boeing store and inside the bag is a box with the letters "787" . If that is a Boeing 787 Dreamliner model then do post a pic here :

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifti...-ships-21.html

[anup.bronco]

Hi 'vikram31', Awesome travelogue, narration and wonderful pix. I really like the way you have extensively covered everything, and gives me a feel of the entire journey virtually. Whenever I see the 'San Francisco' streets and that descent, instantly I'm reminded of the iconic movie 'Bullitt' and the action sequence in the movie 'The Rock', Loved the big trucks that you've clicked, Overall your thread captures the true essence-vibe of a traveler (as in ZNMD). Cheers! Keep exploring.

[Amit_Kapoor4750]

A very beautiful travelogue with amazing pictures, True 5-star stuff.
Your travelogue covered everything and anything from SFO to SEA. The roads, food, monuments, markets, small towns, mega cities and what not. I must thank you for showing us how to do an enjoyable long road-trip in the US of A.

[vikram31]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Nice Pictures!


http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifti...-ships-21.html

Hey Foxbat, matter of fact it did! I will click it shortly and upload..cheers