We made it to Oregon but things didn't go as planned

Ep. 385 - We have made it to Oregon and are heading to the Columbia River Gorge for the popular scenic drive through Waterfall Alley. But first, we visit Fort Stevens State Park and the iconic wreck of the Peter Iredale with our friends ‪@GoodnightTrail‬ and ‪@Every_State_Park‬.

OREGON HIGHLIGHTS FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO:
Fort Stevens State Park (Warrenton, OR): This historic state park sits at the northwest tip of Oregon, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. It offers miles of forested trails, wetlands, and broad sandy beaches to explore, as well as the famous wreck of the Peter Iredale. Once a key defensive installation that protected the Columbia river’s mouth for more than 80 years, the remains of Fort Stevens can still be explored through old batteries, concrete bunkers, and interpretive displays.

Peter Iredale shipwreck: One of the most iconic landmarks on the Oregon coast, resting partially buried in the sand where it ran aground in 1906. The steel sailing ship was bound for the Columbia River when strong winds and heavy seas pushed it off course, driving it into the breakers near the mouth of the river. Although the hull was battered by waves, all crew members survived, and the ship has remained on the beach ever since. The wreck has become a symbol of the treacherous waters known as the “Graveyard of the Pacific,” where countless ships met similar fates navigating the dangerous Columbia River Bar.

Battery Russell: One of the most striking remnants of the coastal defense system, offering visitors a close look at early twentieth-century military engineering. Built in 1904, this concrete artillery emplacement once housed powerful coastal guns designed to guard the mouth of the River from enemy ships. In 1942 Fort Stevens became the only U.S. military installation in the Continental United States to be fired upon during World War II.

Historic Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway: While we didn't actually make it there as planned, we highly recommend a visit along this scenic highway through "Waterfall Alley." Built between 1913 and 1922, it was America’s first planned scenic highway, designed to showcase waterfalls, basalt formations, and sweeping river vistas at every turn.

We made it to Oregon but things didn't go as planned (Fort Stevens State Park, Peter Iredale Shipwreck, & heading to the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway)
FILM DATES: August 21-22, 2025

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👉 ABOUT US: We're Steve and Audra, a van life couple from South Florida who share a passion for cheap travel, nature, wildlife, DIY projects, and adventure! After about 2.5 years, we finished converting our 2019 Ford Transit high roof cargo van into a tiny home on wheels. We've been sharing our experience as we travel the country on a low budget with our cat Lady Gray Gray Gillespie Pinkerton. We invite you to follow along on our journey!

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