Sheathed in plastic during repairs, the Astoria Column appears to be one big gray monolith.

It’s our Astoria Column story.  Located on Coxcomb Hill in Astoria, Oregon, the 126-foot high Astoria Column patterned after Trajan Column in Rome (114 A.D.) is known for its pictorial bas relief using sgraffito technique.  Inscribed on this column are 14 scenes and many messages commemorating the history of Astoria, a dream of Ralph Budd, president of the Great Northern Railroad, who, in 1925, wanted to “properly salute Astoria’s explorers and early settlers.”  Visitors (well, usually) can climb the 164 steps to the top for spectacular views of Astoria, the Columbia River, and even the Pacific Ocean in the distance. But time and weather have taken a toll on the column — so much so that the community of Astoria and Friends of the Astoria Column have sheathed it in grayish plastic during summer of 2015 while the column undergoes an extensive renovation.  We had no idea since we obviously didn’t do our homework very well on what to see in Astoria. But with more than 400,000 visitors per year, we’re hoping most of them get the message. Otherwise, they, too, might have a gray day on Coxcomb Hill if they’re coming to see the column.

View from Coxcomb Hill, Astoria, Oregon

All was not lost, however.  Take a look at the view from the hill (albeit at the bottom of the column). Absolutely superb!

For more information on Astoria Column, click here.

For more shades of gray, click onto Ailsa’s blog Where’s My Backpack for entries into the challenge known as Travel theme: Grey.

And our advice from our mistake:  Talk to those people at the Visitor Center!

–Bert and Rusha

View of Columbia River and Vista House from Chanticleer Point near Portland, Oregon

One of the most dramatic vistas we saw occurred at Chanticleer Point on Oregon’s Historic Highway 30.  The vantage point frames where land meets water beautifully even though the haze of hot summer days clouded the view a bit.  If you look closely on the right, you’ll see Vista House perched atop the bluff.  Completed in 1918 and deemed a National Historic Landmark, this observatory sits 733 feet above the Columbia River offering a superb vantage point with a uniquely different perspective from the one at Chanticleer Point.  Just standing and looking made us both aware that this is America the Beautiful at its best.

For more photos from Travel Theme: Land meets water at Ailsa’s blog Where’s My Backpack,  click here.

One “kiter” (about 60ish) told us, It’s an old man’s sport.  But we still don’t believe him. Although there were a few seniors in the crowd, it was mostly young, able-bodied souls we saw gathered after work on a hot, hot day.

Kite surfing at Hood River, Oregon

And it seems to be a true bonding experience for those who surf and share pointers and, at the end, help each other roll up their gear at sundown.  A symbol for Oregon fun in the great outdoors.

For more symbols, check out the Weekly Photo Challenge: Symbol right here.

The gift was unexpected.  A thank-you gift for hosting a shower from a bride-to-be who now lives in Portland:  this lovely bamboo cutting board in the shape of Oregon.

And a sweet little box with a thank-you note attached.

Fresh eggs

And inside?  The freshest of eggs from her mom’s Rhode Island Reds.

Doesn’t get any better — or fresher — or nicer — than this.

For more entries in the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Fresh, click here.