To mark the bicentennial of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark's famed journey west, my husband, Larry, and I visited Fort Clatsop outside Astoria, Oregon to see where the Corps of Discovery spent the winter of 1805-'06.

Fort Clatsop is part of the new Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, spread out over a dozen sites in Washington and Oregon. The site includes an authentic replica of the fort, just 50 feet square.

We sat in replicas of the Corps of Discovery's dugout canoes--none too large or comfortable! We also had fun participating in a fire-starting demonstration, one of several programs led by costumed rangers during summer.

Astoria is where U.S. Highways 30 and 26/101 meet in far northwestern Oregon (see page 14 to learn more). Fort Clatsop (92343 Fort Clatsop Rd.) is about 6 miles southwest of town and roughly 3 miles southeast of Business U.S. Highway 101. In fall, winter and spring, the site is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The park is open an hour later from mid-June through Labor Day, with daily admission including a 3 day use of shuttle bus service to other historic sites--costs. To learn more, call 1-503/861-2471.