R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 146

Christmas on the Pecos — Part 1

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25th Anniversary of Christmas on the Pecos

Time for what has become sort of an annual tradition here at the blog — Christmas light photography — but this time with a travel twist. This week I’m going to not only give you five articles, but I’m going to take you to Carlsbad, New Mexico, for a Christmas light boat ride along the Pecos River.

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Christmas on the Pecos

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Christmas on the Pecos, which originates from the Pecos River Village. Ursula has talked abo...

Fun Photo Friday — Astoria Part 3

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Towering Steel

Today’s Fun Photo Friday finishes up our tour of Astoria with the favorites below. Next up for the Crown Princess was Vancouver Island, which we’ll begin next week.

Filed under: Fun Photo Friday, Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation Tagged: Astoria, Crown Princess, Fun Photo Friday, photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, travel photography, vacation

Lunch at Fort George Brewery + Public House

You’ll recall from Monday that after our hike into town both Ursula and I were feeling a bit peckish. So, after passing the remnants of Fort Astoria (also known as Fort George) . . .

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Fort George/Fort Astoria

We stopped at the Fort George Brewery + Public House. This was at the recommendation of a brewer at their adjoining brewery, and I even tried his recommended brew with lunch.

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Fort George Brewery + Public House

I later was pleasantly surprised to find out that the brewer checked to see if...

Moving from Astoria Riverwalk to Downtown

I’d Hate to have to Trim this Bush

Still on the Astoria Riverwalk, peering over the trees once you near the Columbia River Maritime Museum, you’ll see the 90-year-old Astoria Column. This 125-foot/38-meter column sits atop a 600-foot/180-meter hill southeast of town. The column has a mural that spirals upwards from the base. This mural, if laid straight, would measure over 500 feet/150 meters.

Astoria Column

Shortly after passing the Maritime Museum we turned south into main section of town i...

Fun Photo Friday — Astoria Part 2

That started from the tropic port Aboard this tiny ship

In today’s Fun Photo Friday I present some more favorites from around town:

Filed under: Fun Photo Friday, Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation Tagged: Astoria, Crown Princess, Fun Photo Friday, photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, travel photography, vacation

More Images of the Captain George Flavel House Museum

Captain George Flavel House Museum

The Captain George Flavel House Museum is worth the price of admission and a leisurely walk — both around and through. Tickets are purchased in the nearby carriage house. Here is an view of the back of the Flavel House:

Captain George Flavel House back view

The grounds are also quite photo-worthy, as you can see here:

The grounds of the Captain George Flavel House

No flash photography is allowed inside, so you have to get creative with your camera controls....

Astoria’s Captain George Flavel House Museum

Captain George Flavel House Museum

Astoria was named after famed business mogul John Jacob Astor, but Mr. Astor certainly wasn’t the only millionaire in the early days of Astoria. George Flavel made his fortune here as a Columbia River bar pilot. Captain Flavel left quite a legacy, including the Captain George Flavel House Museum:

Captain George Flavel House Museum

This house is a great example of Queen Anne architecture, but it may be more familiar to fans of the 1985 motion picture The Goon...

Fun Photo Friday — Astoria Favorites Part 1

Fun Composition

Here are some fun shots from our stroll through Astoria:

Filed under: Fun Photo Friday, Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel Tagged: Astoria, Crown Princess, Fun Photo Friday, photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, travel photography, vacation

Astoria Riverwalk

Astoria-Megler Bridge

Leaving the cruise ship dock area takes you right by a marina with the Astoria-Megler Bridge as a backdrop:

Columbia River Panorama

The Astoria Riverwalk runs along the water parallel to Marine Drive, which also goes by the name East Columbia River Highway/U.S. Route 30. Stay on the Riverwalk to get the best shots. Here’s a view looking back toward Cannery Pier, with the Crown Princess docked behind:

Crown Princess and Cannery Pier

Astoria’s trolley also runs along the A...

Strolling Toward Astoria

Crown Princess docked in Astoria

Two days after departing San Francisco the Crown Princess docked in Astoria, Oregon. We’ve been to Astoria several times now, and this small town of under 10,000 people never disappoints in presenting lots of photo opportunities. To take full advantage of such chance encounters with color and composition, Ursula and I opted to walk into town from the dock. Almost immediately we stumbled upon a fun excuse to take a portrait. Here’s Ursula posing for me:

Ursula...