Another beautiful day as we left the welding shop:

We drove to Fort Stevens, a military installation active from the Civil War through World War II, designed to protect the Oregon coast and the Columbia River.  We headed down to the beach:

And checked out the wreck of the Peter Iredale, which was beached here about 100 years ago.  All that remains of this 300 foot sailing ship is its bow:

Next we headed to Battery Russell at Fort Stevens.  This battery housed two large guns, aimed out at the ocean.

One of the gun pits:

After visiting the museum on site, we headed to the main battery, which has been better preserved.  Here’s the rack that would hold the shells waiting for firing.  The shells were brought in using the rails at the top of the photograph, then hoisted up via hook and chain to the gun above:

A more modern gun emplacement:

Fort Stevens is in the Northwest corner of the state, where the Columbia empties into the Pacific, so some batteries defend the ocean side, and other defend the Columbia.  Battery West defends the Columbia River:

Our daughter is 25 cents away from being a spotting officer:

Next we visited Fort Clatsop, which Lewis and Clark built and where they wintered in 1806 before returning to the East to complete what was the first expedition to complete a land crossing of what would become the American West.  The recreated fort was very interesting:

The kids received their Lewis and Clark NHS Junior Ranger badges, and we headed out.  Tonight we are staying at the Home Depot of Warrenton.  More adventures tomorrow!

  See the trip map for today’s drive and our current location.