Oh Astoria, you’ve captured my heart. I climbed on your sky-reaching column at the age of 5; crossed your infamous Columbia River Bar at the age of 16 as an ordinary seaman; fished your waters for most of my life; and heard the moans of fog-bound ships from my quarters not far from the sea.

Eating the succulent treasures from the sea at your famous eateries, and so proud of your “take me back to the sea” maritime museum, and the engineering masterpiece of our state-to-state bridge. The fragrant smell of fresh-cut trees as the log trucks breeze by with great ease. But most of all, the great and the humble souls who manifest the love and pioneering spirit of our forefathers.

Oh Astoria, you’ve captured my heart and soul. Thank you Lord for blessing us with Astoria.

JIM BERNARD

Warrenton