Astor Column

As children my brother and I used to race up the winding stairs of the Astor Column. Randy had been there as a teen but it had been a long time for both of us. We decided to visit on our way to my Grandma's memorial. With Sabrina in a pack on Randy we made our way slowly up the staircase. On this particular trip I could relate to Jimmy Stewart in VERTIGO. I got a little dizzy going up the first thirty feet. The view from the top was spectacular, showing the mouth of the Columbia as it emptied in the Pacific Ocean. Looking out was easier than looking down. On the outside of the column was the story of Explorers coming to the Pacific. On the surrounding grounds was a time capsile that is to be opened in about forty more years.