We started the adventure at the Fort Clatsop replica and visitor’s center where we got a sense of what the Corps of Discovery experienced more than 200 years ago. 

 This hike was so special and breathtaking.  The number of mushrooms and variety can’t be described. It has a super green, wet, crisp & fresh smell. We hiked 2 hours and did 4+ miles with a 570 ft elevation and 47F.  It was wonderful and one of the most beautiful, well kept and forest looking hikes and it was a relatively easy walk.

  

Fungi

There are119 known species of fungi that are recorded to be present within the park. Fungi are all around us, covering the bark of trees (lichen), fruiting with brilliant colors (mushrooms), and connecting groves of trees and plants underground in an extensive network (myceloim). They are an important part of many ecosystems, recycling nutrients through decomposition. Many mushrooms contain toxins. Some can be irritants to the skin and others are deadly if ingested. It is difficult for anyone but an expert to identify the difference between edible and inedible mushrooms.

Visiting downtown Astoria and enjoying the local views.  Astoria is on the Columbia River near the Pacific Ocean.  The Columbia River Maritime Museum displays fishing, shipping and military history in a waterfront building. The population is 10,000 people; it is small and sadly the Corona virus has impacted their economy – restaurants are closing, lots are empty, and people are not shopping as before. In fact the restaurant that we selected for dinner was closing at that moment; the owners were packing and moving out the building even though this location faces the waterfront, the hills and beautiful view.  This place feels like San Francisco, there is a street that has the Victoria houses and hilly streets.  It is a very small town but very picturesque and cute.  We tried the restaurant across the street called Hurricane Ron’s, it was a very small place but we went to check out the menu. It had a bar, a place to eat with four tables. There was one lady doing all the work; attending the bar, taking the orders and watching the store.  And the guy bringing the food was very weird, the whole place was unique and decorated with a surfing vibe mixed with a flare of a ranch and the sea.  It had an aquarium with lobsters behind the food tables and they sold seafood and lots of interesting stuff.  We decided to eat there even though it was not fancy as we had planned for our anniversary day. However, the food looked interesting; we had oysters, mushrooms stuffed with crab and seafood soup.  Everything was delicious and very filling.

You can’t leave this place without having a stroll along the waterfront. Today was specially fun because is Halloween. We saw lots of kids dressed up in customs and going out with their parents with their pumpkin in their hands full of candy.  The downtown had very cute decorations – every lamp post had witches flying.  The local people seem very nice and with a great sense of  community.  We walked along the water and saw the boats, the museum and it was a great long path – it was very peaceful and relaxing to watch the water.