(The Associated Press circulated the following story on March 15.)
ASTORIA, Ore. — The Lewis and Clark Explorer Train starts running again May 28, connecting Portland to the historic Astoria-Warrenton region after a successful season last summer carrying travellers along the south shore of the Columbia River, through nature preserves and passing by the Lewis and Clark trail.
The train will run through Sept. 20. Tickets are available at www.amtrak.com.
The debut of the line in 2003 was the first time since 1952 that a train had carried passengers along that route.
Once you’re in the area, use the Explorer Shuttle bus to travel between historic sites such as Fort Clatsop, which is a replica of Lewis and Clark’s winter outpost, to Fort Canby in Ilwaco, Fort Stevens in Warrenton, and Seaside, where the Lewis and Clark salt mines are located. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/focl.
Nearby Fort Stevens State Park offers many recreational options, such as beaches, hiking, boating and camping. And if pitching a tent doesn’t appeal to you, check out a “yurt,” a Mongolian-style hut outfitted with every modern convenience – electricity, furniture, locking doors and venting skylights. Visit www.oregonstateparks.org/park-179.php for details.
For help in planning your visit, check out www.oldoregon.com.