Day 15: From Astoria to Seaside
I was so happy to leave the Motel-6-esque hotel in Astoria. It drizzled that morning, and Ashley was once again covered in water spots. Today, my destination was Seaside, Oregon, a few towns south of Astoria. But first, I had a few stops planned along the way.
I wanted to check out an outlet I had passed previously in Seaside, and there was also a Costco nearby where I could pick up some “food” for Ashley. Gas prices tend to be cheaper there, and I also had an order I placed for pick up at Costco, so it made sense to stop.
At the outlet, I grabbed a new pair of trail-friendly Nikes. The ones I had been wearing weren’t built for hiking or camping, and I knew I’d need them later on this road trip. I was starving after, but I figured I’d wait to eat until I got into Seaside.
Along the way, I took a wrong turn and spotted a sign for “Cullaby Lake.” Curiosity got the better of me. I drove into a neighborhood of charming old bungalows and suddenly came across a massive lake. A “private property” sign warned me off, but a County Park sign nearby suggested I could explore further. I parked and took some photos by the water. The place was serene—trees, grass, and the lake perfectly framed like a postcard.
A man in his 50s was fishing from a parked Toyota Tacoma. I didn’t want to disturb him, but I couldn’t help chatting. He shared a bit about the park’s history, though I barely understood it since I was unfamiliar with the area. The man seemed amused by my touristy photography of Max and Ashley. I think it brought a smile to his face. I left the park feeling adventurous and eager to see what else was nearby.
I remembered the old man from dinner last night mentioning a “Sunset Beach.” Following Siri’s directions, I got a bit lost and ended up on a gravel road with chickens wandering freely. A kind woman redirected me, and eventually, I found the beach. It looked incredible, but driving on it wasn’t allowed, and the walk down seemed long. I also tried testing my Starlink again—closer this time, but still no connection. I gave up, laughing at my own persistence.
Hungry and ready to settle, I drove to my hotel in Seaside. Instantly, I felt a sense of familiarity—the hotel was part of the same chain as the one in Long Beach, WA. “Adrift” had become “Ashore” here. The memory of the mild mildew smell returned, along with the décor and even the towels.
I decided to walk around and find a place to eat. Unfortunately, the Pacific Northwest isn’t as dog-friendly as I hoped. Even restaurants with patios weren’t accommodating. Finally, I found a dog-friendly bar and ordered off their happy hour menu. Walking around Seaside, I realized it was almost a carbon copy of Astoria, except with more of a carnival vibe. Honestly, I liked neither town much—I much preferred the originality of Long Beach, WA.
Nothing about my meal or evening stood out. I probably could have saved money skipping this overnight stay, but I needed to be in the area to pick up my Costco order tomorrow. I was bummed it didn’t arrive as it was expected to today.
