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Moon Oregon Trail Road Trip

Historic Sites, Small Towns, and Scenic Landscapes Along the Legendary Westward Route

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By Katrina Emery

By Moon Travel Guides

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• Trade Paperback $24.99 $30.99 CAD
• ebook $17.99 $21.99 CAD

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Description

• Choose Your Route: Drive the entire 20-day road trip from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City (at a mild, moderate, or strenuous pace!) or take shorter getaways along sections of the trail in Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Idaho, including worthwhile detours
• Drive Through History: See the Guernsey Ruts left from wagons almost 200 years ago, read pioneer names carved into Register Rock, and learn about 10,000 years of oral Umatilla history. Practice loading a real wagon, down a mug of sarsaparilla in a recreated Old West town, and take a relaxing soak in the same hot springs as the pioneers
• Discover Diverse Historic Perspectives: Delve into the rich cultures and histories of the Native American tribes who have called these lands home for over 10,000 years. Venture through an underground city created and inhabited by Chinese pioneers. Learn the stories, struggles, and triumphs of free and enslaved black emigrants on the trail. Discover what life was really like for women making the journey west
• Adventure Along the Trail: Tube through the whitewater of Platte River, explore limestone caves, and kayak across clear blue lakes
• Maps and Driving Tools: Easy-to-use maps and full-color photos throughout keep you oriented on and off the highway as you follow the approximate route of the original Oregon Trail, along with site-to-site mileage, driving times, and detailed directions
• Expert Insight: Oregon local and history buff Katrina Emery shares thorough background on the realities of the trail and recommendations for seniors, families with kids, and more
• United States

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Moon Coastal Oregon: With Portland

Scenic Drives, Marine Wildlife, Historic Towns

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By Matt Wastradowski

By Moon Travel Guides

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This item is a preorder. Your payment method will be charged immediately, and the product is expected to ship on or around March 26, 2024. This date is subject to change due to shipping delays beyond our control.

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Description

• Flexible itineraries, including a weeklong road trip to experience the best of the Oregon Coast
• The top outdoor adventures:  Go tidepooling, watch for migrating whales, and see hundreds of sea lions. Hike along epic coastal dunes, take a surfing lesson, and catch a sunset at iconic Haystack Rock. Join a fishing charter, camp beside the ocean, or take a jet boat tour to spot wildlife on the Rogue River.
• Can't-miss experiences and unique activities:  Feast on fresh seafood in quaint seaside towns, check out Astoria's craft beer scene, or try tasty treats at the famous Tillamook cheese factory. Climb to the top of historic lighthouses, explore a shipwreck, and learn about local maritime history.
• Expert insight   from Oregon local  Matt Wastradowski on when to go, how to get around, and where to stay
• Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
• Thorough background information on the culture, landscape, climate, and wildlife, plus handy recommendations for international visitors, families with kids, travelers of color, women travelers, and more
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Moon Oregon Trail Road Trip: Historic Sites, Small Towns, and Scenic Landscapes Along the Legendary Westward Route (Travel Guide) Kindle Edition

• Choose Your Route: Drive the entire 20-day road trip from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City (at a mild, moderate, or strenuous pace!) or take shorter getaways along sections of the trail in Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Idaho, including worthwhile detours
• Drive Through History: See the Guernsey Ruts left from wagons almost 200 years ago, read pioneer names carved into Register Rock, and learn about 10,000 years of oral Umatilla history. Practice loading a real wagon, down a mug of sarsaparilla in a recreated Old West town, and take a relaxing soak in the same hot springs as the pioneers
• Discover Diverse Historic Perspectives: Delve into the rich cultures and histories of the Native American tribes who have called these lands home for over 10,000 years. Venture through an underground city created and inhabited by Chinese pioneers. Learn the stories, struggles, and triumphs of free and enslaved black emigrants on the trail. Discover what life was really like for women making the journey west
• Adventure Along the Trail: Tube through the whitewater of Platte River, explore limestone caves, and kayak across clear blue lakes
• Maps and Driving Tools: Easy-to-use maps and full-color photos throughout keep you oriented on and off the highway as you follow the approximate route of the original Oregon Trail, along with site-to-site mileage, driving times, and detailed directions
• Expert Insight: Oregon local and history buff Katrina Emery shares thorough background on the realities of the trail and recommendations for seniors, families with kids, and more
• Print length 953 pages
• Language English
• Sticky notes On Kindle Scribe
• Publisher Moon Travel
• Publication date July 28, 2020
• File size 36960 KB
• Page Flip Enabled
• Word Wise Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting Enabled
• See all details

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Take a Trip Through Time with Moon

Editorial reviews, about the author, product details.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07W42TL43
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Moon Travel; 1st edition (July 28, 2020)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 28, 2020
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 36960 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
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• Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 953 pages
• #298 in Parks & Campgrounds Travel Reference (Kindle Store)
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Moon Phases 2024 – Lunar Calendar for Portland, Oregon, USA

Moon Phases for Portland, 7 May 2024 – 30 May 2024

First quarter, third quarter, moon phases for portland, oregon, usa in 2024.

Sun and Moon times today for Portland | Moonrise and moonset times for Portland | Sunrise and sunset times for Portland

2024 Moon Phases Calendar

Special moon events in 2024.

• Super New Moon : 9 Feb
• Micro Full Moon : 24 Feb
• Super New Moon : 10 Mar
• Micro Full Moon : 25 Mar
• Penumbral Lunar Eclipse visible in Portland on 24 Mar – 25 Mar
• Super New Moon : 8 Apr
• Blue Moon : 19 Aug (third Full Moon in a season with four Full Moons)
• Super Full Moon : 17 Sep
• Partial Lunar Eclipse visible in Portland on 17 Sep
• Micro New Moon : 2 Oct
• Super Full Moon : 17 Oct
• Black Moon : 30 Nov (second New Moon in single calendar month)

Articles About Moon Phases

• About Moon Phases
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• What Is a Micro Moon?
• Full Moon Names

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An Outdoor Lover’s Road Trip on the Oregon Coast

From crabbing to kayaking, oregon’s stretch of 101 has nature, scenic beauty, and adventure in spades..

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Keep an eye open for sea lions at Gold Beach.

Photo by Sterling Lanier/Unsplash

It’s not just Oregon’s myriad rivers, towering evergreens, and Crater Lake National Park that make the state an outdoor paradise. More than 360 miles of coastline have turned the Oregon Coast into an essential retreat for Portland residents for decades. And thanks to a landmark 1967 law that preserved public access, “the people’s coast” is a wealth of pristine nature open to all.

In spring, you’ll see hills awash in yellow scotch broom and pink rhododendron bushes. Temperatures peak in the summer, and winter and spring are the prime seasons for whale-watching. The coast is great for spotting wildlife like birds and seals, and opportunities for hiking, kayaking, fishing, surfing, crabbing, and clamming abound.

There’s no wrong way to do a road trip here. It’s just developed enough with a selection of boutique lodgings, state parks for camping, and small coastal towns that you can easily be spontaneous or follow a more prescribed plan. This six-day road trip itinerary follows the Oregon portion of Highway 101 starting in the South Coast up to the North Coast before looping back to Portland .

Bay Point Landing is your glamping go-to in Coos Bay, Oregon.

Photo by Corinne Kupish

Day 1: Portland to Coos Bay

Oregon’s Bay Area and the largest city on the coast (with a population of about 16,000), Coos Bay is the commercial hub of the South Coast. It’s the biggest port between San Francisco and Seattle, and experiences like the Coos History Museum shed light on its shipbuilding and lumber milling history, providing context for the many outdoor adventures to be had in a landscape that spans long, sandy beaches and forests.

Where to stay in Coos Bay

Bay Point Landing takes glamping to new heights with RV sites, Airstreams, or cabins that immerse you in nature, style, and comfort, and amenities include a saltwater pool and fitness center.

For golfers, about 30 minutes farther south in Bandon, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort has some of the country’s premier public golf links. And they recently opened their sixth course, a 19-hole short course that takes players through rolling dunes.

Or camp a stone’s throw from the breathtaking, sandy beaches at Sunset Bay State Park . (If you want to stay in one of the eight yurts, be sure to book in advance.) Explore the area via a network of hiking trails that run through coastal forests, seasonal wildflowers, and rugged cliffs.

Keep an eye open for . . .

Gold Beach, the gateway to the Rogue River, and especially Otter Point headland, a great spot for a day of walking among the sandstone and spotting sea lions. You can also see one of Oregon’s only two pockets of old-growth redwoods at the 1.2-mile loop Redwood Nature Trail .

Don’t miss . . .

The 7 Devils Brewing Company , a spot with a patio that channels the region’s bohemian spirit with handmade furniture and local art that accompany the hand-crafted ales and bites made with regional ingredients. Another locally oriented casual spot is Front Street Provisioners , which slings wood-fired pizzas. For self-catering, visit the Coos Head Food Co-op for a selection of natural, organic products.

Dinner destinations include Restaurant O , which serves French and Italian creations, such as mussels in a vin blanc sauce and fettuccine alfredo. Or check out Black Market Gourmet, which sources local seafood, beef, and produce for prepared foods like Oregon Dungeness crab dip or smoked beef brisket. (Or opt for a sit-down dinner from Tuesday to Saturday.)

Detour worth taking

About three hours inland from Coos Bay, Ashland has all the relaxed vibes of a small town but with big culture thanks to a thriving arts scene. Its world-famous Shakespeare festival runs from March to October. Bonus: Surrounding local hot springs mean you can get your dose of nature here, too.

Stop for a photo at Yaquina Head Lighthouse in Newport.

Courtesy of Clay Banks/Unsplash

Days 2–3: Coos Bay to Florence

At the mouth of the Siuslaw River, about an hour north of Coos Bay, Florence’s Old Town makes a charming home base for exploring North America’s largest coastal dunes directly to its south. Take a sandboard or dune buggy down the famed dunes, or enjoy other adventures such as the Sea Lion Caves and whale-watching.

Where to stay in Florence

Book a room at the award-winning River House Inn on the Siuslaw River waterfront in Old Town; it’s within walking distance of the area’s top restaurants, such as the Waterfront Depot and Bridgewater Fish House , as well as galleries, shops, and cafés. Or stay about six miles north to catch sunsets at the oceanfront resort Driftwood Shores .

Instead, you could also immerse yourself in the 47 miles of dunes stretching between Florence and Coos Bay by reserving a campsite (or one of 10 yurts) at Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park . Or go to Florence’s northern neighbor 30 minutes away, Yachats (believed to mean “dark water at the foot of the mountain” and pronounced “YAH-hots”), for a stay at the Overleaf Lodge; every room has an ocean view and you can enjoy access to hikes, including the Ya’Xaik and 804 trails.

There’s also the option to unplug an hour up the coast from Florence at the Sylvia Beach Hotel , a historic building with author-themed rooms, like the popular Mark Twain room; it has no TVs, Wi-Fi, or telephones. Located in a Newport cove, the Ocean House has coastal views from every room.

The dunes, which draw visitors for the otherworldly experience of vast tracts of undulating, rippled sand that inspired the sci-fi classic Dune . Hiking affords chances to spot wildlife like elk or hunt for wild mushrooms, while exploring by buggy is a popular way to rev up your adrenaline, and you can head to Cleawox Lake just south of Florence for swimming and water sports.

A hiker’s dream, Yachats’s 804 Trail is a 1.7-mile in-and-out hike with plenty of opportunities for delving into the area’s natural beauty, including tide-pooling and bird-watching. It connects directly to several trails: the 7.4-mile Amanda’s Trail, which leads to the Cape Perpetua Stone Shelter ; the small and beautiful Smelt Sands State Recreation Site ; and the Ya’Xaik Trail–Gerdemann Preserve Loop Hike , a 2.1-mile loop trail established in 2013 by several committed locals.

Yachats also has its share of small businesses with artsy coastal vibes, such as gem and mineral store Planet Yachats and galleries Earthworks , Touchstone , and Wave .

Locally roasted coffee on the riverfront patio at River Roasters in Florence—it has a view of the landmark art deco drawbridge that spans the river.

Worthwhile breakfast spots in Yachats include Bread & Roses for fresh baked goods and Green Salmon for fair trade coffee. If you’re up for a bigger meal, try Ona for fine dining with global influences and local ingredients, or the restaurant at the Drift Inn , which hosts live music every night.

Abundant dining options await in Newport, including Local Ocean , a dockside seafood grill, and Sorella , an eatery that serves Italian classics like pizza, homemade pasta, and more.

Worth a stopover

Situated on Yaquina Bay, about an hour north of Florence, Newport’s Oregon Coast Aquarium is a scenic site in and of itself, and Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is home to the state’s tallest lighthouse, plenty of tide pools, and whale-watching lookouts.

A road trip along Oregon’s coast will be fueled by excellent meals, like Meridian Restaurant & Bar’s Dungeness crab cakes.

Courtesy of Meridian Restaurant & Bar

Days 3–4: Florence to Pacific City

Heading north about two hours up the coast brings you to Pacific City, an off-the-beaten-path town set among state-protected natural areas along the Nestucca River. Stops include a dramatic 200-foot dune adjacent to its own offshore Haystack Rock (taller yet not as well-known as the one in Cannon Beach) and the Three Capes Scenic Loop, with opportunities to check out the lighthouse at Cape Meares and picnic on the beach. You can go fishing and clamming or kayaking and hiking, or simply while away the day on the beach’s soft sand.

Where to stay in Pacific City

Located on the beach at the edge of Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, the Headlands Lodge boasts a sublime location next to the massive dune that’s prime for climbing and sunset views. It’s easy to go tide-pooling among the abundant mussel beds (the resort’s Adventure Coaches can set you up) and watch the surfers, or even take a lesson yourself. Pro tip: Book one of the two-bedroom cottages for incredible ocean views and a private balcony or patio. Enjoy seasonal, made-from-scratch fare from the Meridian Restaurant , like local Manila clams served with chorizo and grilled focaccia, which takes room service to another level. You could also stay across the street at the Inn at Cape Kiwanda or glamp in Airstreams at Hart’s Camp .

Another option is Depoe Bay, which is on the way to Pacific City and a great spot for whale-watching. Try Channel House , where every room has its own hot tub, and Whale Cove Inn , home to the lauded Restaurant Beck.

Keep going north, about 40 minutes beyond Pacific City, for family-friendly options in Tillamook that include camping in one of the yurts or cabins at Cape Lookout State Park , Sheltered Nook’s tiny houses, and a covered wagon or tent campsite at Twins Ranch .

McPhillips Beach in Pacific City’s Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, a mile of sand with the geometric basalt structures formed by former lava flows and crumbling sandstone that define much of the coast here.

The Nestucca River, Bob Straub State Park , and Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge all draw kayakers to their pristine waterways. Nestucca Adventures will set you up with kayak or paddleboard rentals. Stop before or after for a meal at the riverside picnic tables of the neighboring River House . Or you could try a fishing trip from Cape Kiwanda with Pacific City Dory Fishing Charters .

About 30 minutes from Pacific City, scenic Netarts Bay has opportunities for shell fishing at low tide. Stop for dinner at the Schooner for fresh, local seafood and foraged ingredients in a dining room next to the boat launch.

The Chef’s Tasting Menu at Restaurant Beck in Depoe Bay, the brainchild of James Beard Award semifinalist Justin Wills, which uses the finest foraged and local farm ingredients.

While several attractions in Tillamook nod to the area’s dairyland past and present, including the eponymous national cheesemaker, Degarde Brewing’s tasting room is a chance to sample suds based on historic traditions and experimentation. Try the Framboise Noire, a wild ale with black raspberries that’s aged in oak barrels for two years.

Save a few hours during your Oregon Coast road trip to explore Cannon Beach.

Courtesy of Justin Luebke/Unsplash

Day 5: Pacific City to Manzanita

As you wind your way up the North Coast, be sure to take the 101 for stunning coastal views and tucked-away beaches. Manzanita, an hour north of Pacific City, is so scenic that it inspired former Oregon governor Oswald West to make the state’s beaches free and open to all. The town’s rural vibe belies some of the coast’s best culinary experiences, and nearby Cannon Beach is a larger, more well-known destination with more restaurants, shops, and services.

Where to stay in Manzanita

Coast Cabins offers a range of tasteful accommodation options in Manzanita, from private homes with midcentury-modern architecture and decor to vacation rental apartments, all with access to a spa and gym. The sleek and intimate Arch Cape Loft is 10 minutes north of Manzanita in Arch Cape, and its seven rooms are almost like studio apartments, with kitchenettes and private entry.

Hotel fans will want to head to the McMenamins Gearhart Hotel , first built in 1890 and part of the region’s history as a vacation destination, or the Cannon Beach Hotel Collection for a selection of rooms (many with fireplaces) across four boutique hotels in New England–style buildings near downtown Cannon Beach.

The Sand Dune Pub in Manzanita is a classic roadhouse that’s been serving dishes like burgers and chili-cheese fries since 1935. Enjoy your meal on the patio with an Oregon craft beer or cocktail. Another old-school spot with a laid-back vibe, Driftwood serves up seafood and steak from local purveyors in Cannon Beach. Or try Ecola Seafoods to sample the freshest of the ocean’s bounty in a casual atmosphere.

Short Sand Beach, in a protected cove in Oswald West State Park , which is worth the brief hike through the forest. You’ll find campfires and surfers on a shore awash with massive trunks of driftwood. Look for the plaque at a lookout point dedicated to Matt Kramer, a journalist whose coverage helped pass the 1967 bill that made Oregon’s beaches public land.

Many hotels on this road trip, such as the Cannery Pier Hotel, have spectacular waterfront views.

Courtesy of Cannery Pier Hotel

Day 6: Manzanita to Astoria

Just under an hour north on the 101 brings you to Astoria, the northernmost town on the coast and a bohemian enclave. Also known as the setting for movies (including The Goonies and Kindergarten Cop), it’s on a stretch of coast known as the “Graveyard of the Pacific”—famous for some of the roughest waters in the world at the mouth of the Columbia River, where it meets the Pacific Ocean.

Where to stay in Astoria

Located at the end of a historic pier that extends 600 feet into the Columbia River, the boutique Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa has river views from each of its 46 rooms, where you can watch the ships as they pass by. Book one of the rooms on the north side for a view of the Astoria-Megler bridge, the longest continuous truss bridge in North America.

Related Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals for a Cozy Northwest Getaway

Award-winning breweries, like Astoria Brewing Company , Fort George Brewery, and Buoy Beer Company , that make Astoria a destination for craft beer aficionados.

The remains of the 1906 shipwreck Peter Iredale on the beach at Fort Stevens State Park , which bring to life how treacherous crossings are here; you can also camp at the park.

At the Maritime Museum , you can learn more about how the meeting of the mighty Pacific and the Columbia River has shaped Astoria, with exhibits on everything from dugout canoes to the science of storms.

This article was originally published in 2021; it was most recently updated with new information on May 8, 2024.

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We Took Amtrak to Oregon City for $2

By Margaret Seiler April 30, 2024

Image: Ian Dewar Photography/shutterstock.com

“Sweet ride,” my daughter texts me from the bus taking her to the Oregon Zoo for a school field trip. “It has seat belts, a bathroom, overhead bins, the little buttons above that airplanes have, charging ports, and we think TVs.” How much charging, bathroom-going, and TV watching can happen on a 20-minute ride to the zoo I’m not sure of, nor do I know why  Portland Public Schools is shuttling students in such luxury instead of on a basic school bus—maybe those were all checked out and they got the field-trip equivalent of a rental-car upgrade.

But I deeply understand the just-won-the-lottery feeling of taking a quotidian trip in a more glamorous ride. That’s what has me treating myself to a day trip to Oregon City via Amtrak one Thursday in March—well, that and the fact that I could buy a ticket for $2 each way, to get me there from downtown in 24 minutes. That’s 80 cents less than the same trip on TriMet’s 35, in less than half the time. (For the round trip, Amtrak would have charged me $2 to bring a child, $10 to bring a bike, and $58 to bring a pet.)

The train even promises something my daughter’s zoo-bound motorcoach doesn’t have: a snack bar. But the café car on my particular Amtrak Cascades route, the conductors tell me, was damaged over the winter in a fatal collision with a car involved in a police chase in Eugene and has yet to be repaired. Instead of breakfast burritos and Bob’s Red Mill oatmeal for purchase, there’s a free spread of candy bars, pretzels and chips, baked goods, and bottled water. I grab a few things that are surely worth more than the price of my ticket but feel sorry for the people who are heading all the way to Salem or Eugene and were counting on a hot cup of coffee on the train, which leaves Union Station right on time at 11:08am.

Image: CK Foto/shutterstock.com

The train ambles over the Steel Bridge and through the Central Eastside Industrial District, passing a mural of Gargamel and Papa Smurf I haven’t seen on car trips, as well as the tiny homes of Clinton Triangle, one of the city’s new TASS locations (temporary alternative shelter sites). When we pause and then start backing up (due to “conflicting train movements,” an announcement tells us) I scan the QR code sticker on my tray table and am taken to a tourist website for Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a stop on Amtrak’s Empire Builder route. I’m several clicks into reading about the city that “brewed its way into the hearts of the American traveler” and am pondering something called “ Midwest poutine ” when I realize my train is already in the namesake town of Milwaukie, Oregon, pulling away from the river and heading toward Clackamas. There’s another slowdown as we pass the Bob’s Red Mill HQ and countless blackberry bushes and battered tents before we pick up speed again next to I-205. We’re 15 minutes behind schedule (but still well under the TriMet ride time) when we pull up to the platform at Oregon City . My return train is scheduled for 6:24pm, giving me just over six and half hours to wander around the city that was the Oregon Territory’s first capital.

The train station sits directly across from the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center . While every Oregonian should visit the wagon-train-shaped museum at least once to don a floppy bonnet, dip a candle, and register a land deed, it’s not quite what I have in mind for my grown-up day trip, so I make do with a scan of the gift shop. This is where to get those pixelated “You have died of dysentery” T-shirts and hoodies, plus Davy Crockett hats, cedar-and-pale-ale-scented soap in the shape of Oregon, and a small but thoughtful selection of books on Oregon history and outdoor pursuits.

A few blocks south, Oregon City Antiques is an eras-spanning warren of Coleman lanterns, ancient beer cans, books (illustrated kids’ book The Adventures of Paddy Pork catches my eye), old-timey kitchen implements, prom-ready (and pricy) vintage dresses, and modern items like sushi-shaped Squishmallows and a Seattle Mariners lunchbox.

Image: Margaret Seiler

Continuing toward downtown, I pass Canard and wonder if I might be able to squeeze in an early dinner of steam burgers later on. (Spoiler: Nope. Next trip!) For lunch, though, I find myself overwhelmed by the choices at two dueling food cart pods across the street from each other and instead land on a different corner of the same intersection, at Tony’s Fish Market . The choices here—cod or halibut, regular or sweet potato fries—are more manageable, and the paprika-dusted salmon chowder is a real highlight. There would have been a larger drink selection at either of the pods: Corner 14 has a full bar and a varied tap list, plus a cart called the Krazy Kokonut serving a mangonada smoothie with housemade chamoy sauce, while Oregon City Brewing has a couple dozen beer choices for washing down a meal from the likes of Esan Thai and Ranch Pizza. It would take a few Amtrak day trips to try all the options at this one crossroads, let alone have any room in my stomach to spare for pizza at Mi Famiglia, Mexican plates at Don Pepe’s, or lefse wraps at Ingrid’s Scandinavian Food. There’s also serious pub-crawl potential: the no-nonsense Thirsty Duck, a four-hour happy hour at Hing’s, Nebbiolo Wine Bar, a trusty McMenamins in an old church hall, Arch Bridge Taphouse, Coney Island, McAnulty & Barry’s with its stunning back bar, Ranee’s with its giant skeleton, Trail’s End Saloon with its giant wagon wheel hanging from the ceiling….

But on this trip, I soberly stroll on. Oregon City Antiques is far from the only secondhand shop in Oregon City. Main Street offers books ( The Pig that Danced a Jig is hard to resist—what is it with kids’ book and pigs in this town?) and wedding dresses and patriotic posters at  Maizee Mae’s Antiques Retail Store and Vintage Flea Market , paperbacks and polyester at Main Street Thrift, the pristine seasonality and custom lighting of the Vintage Nest, and creepy cookie jars at the Odditorium/ Ghoul Gallery . On High Street, I wonder if the buyers for Coin Corner & Hobbies somehow time-traveled back to my childhood bedroom and snatched my old Fisher-Price record player and Anne Murray Sings for the Sesame Street Generation album. There are also bins of Pez containers, rows of Garbage Pail Kids figurines, and an extensive R. L. Stine Goosebumps collection.

Oregon City’s secondhand charms aren’t just nostalgia-flavored. The Refinery and Consignment Revolution are two well-curated clothing consignment shops—at the latter I pick up a pair of wire earrings bent into a rounded w suggesting boobs, with little gold beads for nipples. I also spot tasteful boobs, this time as drawings in tiny frames, at Imperfecta art gallery , where the owner says she stocks a variety of price points “so everyone can take home something beautiful.” Wares include jewelry from Melissa Stiles , art prints, potted cacti, and images from an Italian street artist called Blub of Alfred Hitchcock and other celebs in diving masks.  

In White Rabbit , a shop that shares space with Black Ink Coffee , a well-curated book selection joins Harry Styles mugs and pen sets, novelty candles from Malicious Woman Co.,  Spirited Away pencil sets, Pride pens, sushi earrings, and Abbott Elementary notepads. A table and chairs on the sidewalk outside Oregon City Records is a good resting spot, or a place to contemplate whether you need to buy one of the shop’s turntable T-shirts. The staffed counter at the top of the municipal elevator offers more T-shirt temptations with its limited-run artist series celebrating the landmark billed as the only “vertical street” in the US. Also at the top, the McLoughlin Promenade runs past historic homes and an Oregon Film Trail marker mentioning Twilight — the former Blue Heron paper mill, perched over Willamette Falls, was a filming location. A walkway over McLoughlin Boulevard offers a closer look at the rushing waters. The Clackamas County Historical Society’s Museum of the Oregon Territory is a little farther down the paved path, for those who haven’t frittered away the afternoon eating and shopping and can get there before its 4pm closing time.

At least the Oregon City Library isn’t closed yet. It’s been so long since I used my Clackamas County library card that I need to get a new one (yes, Multnomah County residents can use our neighbor’s library system, too, but if you don't use it for a while you need to reregister), and I score one of the while-supplies-last Baby Yoda/Grogu cards. It’s a nod to the library’s long-running May the Fourth celebration, which features a scavenger hunt, a fun-noodle lightsaber workshop, and photo ops with patient costumed characters from Cloud City Garrison. This year, the Star Wars holiday falls on a Saturday, and the library’s event runs from 4 to 6pm, which would leave just enough time to walk back to the train platform for the ride back to Portland. If the train’s late, grab a drink or snack at  Coasters Crossing , the brewpub that now occupies the station building, and watch out the window for the northbound arrival. Amtrak’s schedule says the run back to Portland takes 41 minutes, which is about how long I was on the train in the morning. But on this night it whisks me back to Portland in 24.

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