The “Rediscover Astoria” committee has chosen Mary Ordal of Hillsboro as the Grand Prize Winner of the contest. First Runner-up Lorelea McAfee Einwaller is from Portland and Second Runner-up Jenni Pearson is from Brush Prarie, Wash.

Their essays follow:

  

1. Winning essay, Mary Ordal, Hillsboro

 

My earliest memories of visiting Astoria are from nearly 20 years ago. It was a dreary, rainy day, and we didn’t find much to hold our interest; perhaps it was the rain, but the town seemed hunkered down, like it was hanging on. We returned for a visit in 2006 and found a vibrant Astoria. We had needed a getaway to take our minds off our late son’s birthday; he had passed away the prior year, and our grief was overwhelming. We needed to go someplace new to us, and friends recommended Astoria. 

Our weekend in Astoria was magical. We were awed by the freighters that passed so close to the shore, the seabirds that posed for us on the piers, and the kayakers exploring the shallows. “Shanghaied in Astoria” made us laugh and vow to return for future performances.  (“I like sturdy women” is repeated often in our house!) We toured the historic neighborhoods, including the Goonies house and the Astor column with its majestic views of the Columbia. We walked the River Walk and rode the historic trolley. We enjoyed microbrews with live music and cuisine at fine restaurants.

Everywhere the city and its residents sparkled and we felt personally welcomed. Astoria was more than an antidote for our sadness, it was an affirmation that there is a positive future with good times to be shared. We have encouraged others to rediscover Astoria and look forward to future visits ourselves.    

 

 

2. First runner-up, Lorelea McAfee Einwaller, Portland

 

My most recent trip to Astoria was 10 years ago with a would-be-tour-guide that showed me where “The Goonies” and “Kindergarten Cop” were filmed. Interesting trip, but somehow this tour did not fully showcase the city’s history or magic. The city seemed tired, wearing its faded glory poorly, silently pleading for a well-deserved makeover.

Then one glorious day last September, I rediscovered Astoria with 21 elementary students on an overnight camping trip they planned themselves! During the drive from Portland to Astoria, I was quizzed on basketball trivia by a six-year-old. (Pathetic note to self: before next campout, study Blazer, and former Blazer, stats.) Everyone in our car became deliriously excited, me especially, as we approached the beautiful Astoria-Megler bridge and began our invasion, I mean exploration of Astoria.

Traveling with children helped me savor this now vibrant city in new, exciting ways. We climbed Astoria Column, shouting gleefully as our balsa gliders zoomed around the historic and history-illuminating column. From the observation deck, we marveled over incredible views of the city and the Pacific Ocean. Exploring everywhere was especially fun for the child in all of us. Mostly everyone in our group excitedly recalled their “best” family trips to Astoria, saying “I had the best sushi there.” And “that’s the best museum ever!” referring to the Columbia River Maritime Museum.

Regretfully, we had only one magical day in history-filled, stunningly beautiful Astoria. We needed many more days here to capture its unique magic, history, and fun!  We love you, Astoria!

 

3. Second runner-up, Jenni Pearson, Brush Prarie, Wash.

Serendipity

Growing up the sixth child of a farming family in the desert outside Boise, Idaho, I learned to live vicariously through my father’s youthful travels. Boxes in our attic hid treasures, ghosts from his childhood, that served as reminders of his days in exotic locations, tagging along with his father for work in places like Cambodia and Japan. Figurines, jewelry, and miniature replicas of landmarks so foreign to my existence seemed to whisper of adventure and intrigue. One in particular caught my eye – a tall column carved of wood and painted with such tiny detail as to be nearly impossible to decipher.

As I grew older I forgot about the box of wonder, until one day while visiting Astoria with a friend who grew up outside the city on a holly farm. We roamed the quaint streets, darting into antique stores and umbrella shops, and then wound up the hill for a better view of the river, the city below, and for a visit to “the column.”

Nothing could have shocked me more than to round the top of the hill and come face to face with the tower of mystery from my childhood. The tower was not from some exotic location as I had presumed, except, for me, it sort of was. Astoria, with its history and charm had won me over, and just like the allure of that box of treasures, it tempts me back to wander its streets in search of adventure. I always find it.