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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
On March 31, 2012, I climbed the Astoria Column. I am sort of glad that I did, but I won't be doing it again. This post includes my pictures, some videos that I got off of You Tube, with a list of links at the bottom.
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
This video is really good; it is full of information and historical facts:
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
Views from the base:
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
Climbing Up:
Cary said no thanks to climbing up the Astoria Column, as I knew that he would. Mom really wanted to; she had done it as a kid and really enjoyed it. She is now 74, and I admire her stamina, so who was I to say no? Besides, I wanted the pictures. Little did I know how uncomfortable that this little experience would make me. Here is a view of the spiral staircase from the bottom.
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
There were plaques at every resting spot telling about those who sponsored the column's restoration, which began in 1988 and was completed in 1995 at a cost of $1 million.
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
This is exactly what it was like climbing up and then opening the door to the landing:
View from the top:
It just happened that Mom decided that the climb was too much for her, and she headed back down. I ended up being the only one on the staircase and up on top. It was scary up there. The wind was blowing 40 mph, I'm guessing. I hugged the wall with my back as I quickly circled the column; taking pictures all away around. I got back inside as soon as I could. I was thinking, wait until I tell you guys the lengths that I went to for this post! I am happy with the pictures that I got though.
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
Coming down was worse than going up! I took baby steps and used my right leg for balance. It killed me for the next three days. It was scary! I tried not to look down. The structure is sturdy but steep and it just seemed too easy to fall. Here is a video on You Tube about what going down was like:
Finally back down at the bottom, my ordeal was over. There is this cool relief map showing what we were looking at, mainly the Mighty Columbia River as it opens up into the Pacific Ocean at one of the most dangerous bars of all.
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| Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
Roll On Columbia Roll On by Woodie Guthrie:
Links:
This was a great post! You went beyond the call of duty on this one. I've been to the Astoria Column. It is an amazing structure, and one I would for sure I would not even think of ascend. I have such a fear of heights, and then that spiral staircase, oh my. My hat goes off to you.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are really nice.
Judging by the beautiful photos, it's definitely worth the climb. I remember walking DOWN the Washington Monument in 7th grade -- but it wasn't spiral, thank-you-veddy-much. My legs were like rubber when I got to the bottom. I would LOVE to see the artwork on the Astoria Column. Is it the history of Oregon or settlement of the northwest in general? It looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBetter thee than me with my fear of heights. I loved the panels with the art work. It is a shame the art isn't more visable from the ground.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy! Thank you so much for dropping by today, commenting, and following! I've returned the favor, and quite happily, too.
ReplyDeleteMy parents live in Central Oregon, in Redmond actually, in the Eagle Crest resort. My son and I, and occasionally my husband, visit every summer. We live in Seattle and the mountain passes between here and there so much of the time are dangerous with snow and ice, so summer is all we can manage. I love the high desert, especially Smith Rock and going into Bend to stroll the Old Mill. But we do go to Portland at least 4 or 5 times a years, as well. I love it there, especially Powell's books! I'm a writer after all. Being from Central Oregon, you must know of Mary Pax and her blog Wistful Nebulae. She lives there too and writes often of the observatory. If you don't know her, you should check her out.
I missed you during the A to Z but I'm gonna list you on my blog roll so I don't make that mistake again. I'm not a prolific blogger, only once a week, but I do like to make the rounds when I have time away from writing. You'll see me again, I promise!!
The last time we stopped there was during the time it was closed. I'll have to put it on the list of things to do with the kids.
ReplyDeleteI think that I would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't the only one in it at the time and it wasn't so windy.
ReplyDeleteKathy
Wonderful photographs. I have seen Trajan's column in Rome. Yours may not be as old - but it is certainly more colourful.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the Astoria Column! Thanks for the great pictures. I miss the Pacific Northwest!
ReplyDeleteI also read you A to Z summary. It was a great blogfest.