March 11, 2005

Explorer Train heads for Lewis and Clark Bicentennial

Also, makes plans for the Hood River Valley Blossom Festival in April

By DAN SHRYOCK
Oregon.com

There's a train that rolls along the banks of the Columbia River from a point west of Portland to Astoria. It's a nice ride, especially for those of us who long for the clackety-clack of rail travel or have a love of history.

This train is like no other. It transports you back 200 years to a time when a band of explorers made their way from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean. That group, of course, was the Corps of Discovery or perhaps better known as the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Now, for the expedition's bicentennial, the Lewis and Clark Explorer Train leaves the Portland/Linnton station on June 3 to start its third year of operation.

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark ended their trek in 1805 by establishing Fort Clatsop in a spot just outside what is now Astoria. This year tens of thousands of modern-day explorers are making their way to Fort Clatsop and other historic points along the way in hopes of capturing a bit of history.

There's good news at the end of the rail trail: Astoria is ready and waiting for you.

"I think the excitement about the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial is very infectious," says Susan Trabucco, a longtime Astoria resident and spokeswoman for the Lewis and Clark Explorer Train. "People in Astoria are so excited about the fact that the spotlight is on us."

Explorer train passengers boarding in Portland will receive printed materials pointing out the historic points along the way. Copies of the Astoria-Warrenton Visitors Guide will be available to help you find the diverse variety of points of interest in the area. Rail staff also will help point out details along the way.

While on board the train, you can buy tickets to Fort Clatsop National Park, home of the Corps of Discovery replica fort.

Once in Astoria:
- Greeters will meet you at rail side to answer questions.
- The greeters also can guide you to Fort Clatsop buses that are available throughout the community. Because of expected high visitor interest, no private vehicles are permitted to drive into the park this year.
- You will find a free lodging shuttle to Astoria-area lodging.
- "We're also working on a comprehensive walking map pointing out attractions in the community," Susan says. "That will be handed to people when they goet off the train."

Fort Clatsop isn't the only location of note in the Astoria-Warrenton area. There's the Columbia River Maritime Museum, the Astoria Column and Fort Stevens State Park. There's also the Columbia River walk and the trolley that rolls along the waterfront.

This most likely is the train's last year, Susan says. While it remains popular among rail enthusiasts and history buffs, the costs of operation exceed revenues generated by reasonably priced tickets. So once the bicentennial passes, so will the explorer train.

Hood River Valley prepares for the annual blossom festival. The Lewis & Clark Explorer Train leaves from Linnton Street Train Station west of Portland. Photo courtesy Hood River County Chamber of Commerce

Plan for the Hood River Valley Blossom Festival in April

Our continuing unseasonable warm and dry weather has the state in bloom. That's especially evident in the Hood River Valley as organizers prepare for the 51st annual Hood River Valley Bloom Festival. More than 15,000 acres of pear trees will provide the backdrop for a variety of events April 16 and 17.

The festival celebrates the arrival of spring and the start of a new growing season. The best way to see it all is to follow the Hood River County Scenic Tour Route. You'll pass the festival's entire slate of more than 30 events and activities.

The Hood River Valley is the largest pear-growing region in Oregon, producing over 30 percent of the nation's winter pear crop.

This year's festival includes traditional favorites and some new features. Annual events include:
- the Blossom Craft Show
- the Antique Show and Sale
- the Blossom Festival Quilt Show
- Rasmussen's Pansy Party
- Parkdale Grange Blossom Dinner
- Mt. Hood Railroad's Fine Arts and Music Festival

New events include:
- the Blossom Glass Gallery, featuring work from the Oregon Glass Guild's many accomplished glass artists
- Orchard tours aboard The Fruit Company Express - a tractor tour of Webster Orchards
- the Oak Street Hotel's Trunk Show, featuring treasures from around the globe next to art from Gorge-area artists

Three Hood River wineries - Pheasant Valley Winery, Hood River Vineyards, and Cathedral Ridge Winery - will have open houses during the weekend as well. Full Sail Brewery, based in Hood River, will open for brewery tours and samples of their award-winning brews.

Meanwhile, the beautiful pink and white blossoms are there for everyone to enjoy. They are best viewed from the comfort of your car. The Blossom Festival tour route is 45 miles long and averages about 1.5 hours, without stops. Most of the Hood River Fruit Loop member farms are located on the route, and they all offer special blossom-time activities during the weekend.

Pick up a Blossom Festival map brochure at the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce Visitors Information Center (800-366-3530).

Readers are encouraged to e-mail travel-related questions to us. Selected questions periodically will be answered here. We reserve the right to publish any e-mail submission received.