[Scott S]

The ocean is wonderful but you will have to remember that it is ball numbing cold. It is a rare day on the Oregon Coast when it is hot enough on beach to brave the frigid water.

I am not trying to discourage you, (if you were from CA I might) but just making sure you have all the facts. Those of us that are natives(my family homesteaded here) are very proud of our state, notwithstanding the politics.

Astoria, is starting to rebuild itself, when the fishing industry started to collapse things were pretty tough there. But I think it is coming back around now. The views of the ocean and the Columbia river are awesome. One of the great things us in OR and WA share is such a great river, the folks on the east coast don't get to see a river with such power. It doesn't just trickle out in to the Pacific, it actualy races going over one of the worlds most dangerous bars.

Astoria has a pretty decent small community college, and believe or not the US first tv cable system started there. I remember when there was no bridge to WA and there was ferry service to get across, there still is a pretty neat ferry about 25 miles up river from there.

If you are hunter there is some of the best deer, elk and duck hunting just within a couple of miles of nearly anywhere on the north coast. The Jewel Elk refuge is about 20 miles outside of Astoria and it is not uncommon to see 500-600 head of elk. Season permitting there is ocean charter fishing available near Astoria, right now is halibut season. Fresh caught Halbut is absolultly fantastic! There is a record Dungeness Crab catch going on right now, but the clam digging has been halted untill a red like tide subsides. I love Razor Clams and digging them is a bunch of fun.

Oregon has a public beach access law which means the state owns the beaches. It is even against the law to block access to the beachs or coast line. The south coast near Coos Bay has some incredible sand dunes where recreational vehicles(4x4, sand rails, dune buggys and the like) can play. The eviro's are trying to get it stopped but the area is so huge I don't think they will get it all locked up.

Will anyway time to go work on the Coupe,

Good Luck,

Scott S