Oregon Geology Parte the Tenth: Crown Point

We're at the end of our long journey, which began in Astoria, continued through Ecola State Park, Hug Point north and south, the world's shortest river, Cape Kiwanda, Cape Meares, the Columbia River Gorge, and some truly tremendous waterfalls.

Now here we are at Crown Point, where the Vista House gleams like a jewel in the crown:

View of Crown Point from Chanticleer

And I could do a proper write-up, but I'd mostly just be repeating myself.  We'll have more images than words this time round, I should think.

Floating in the Void

Now, it may look like I retouched the above photo, but I didn't.  All natural.  That's the Vista House against a cloudy sky.  It's a gorgeous building, conceived by Samuel Lancaster as a place where travelers on his wonderful highway could contemplate the Gorge.  He also mentioned "silent communion with the infinite," which any Terry Pratchett fan will love. 

Sandstone Closeup

It's built of sandstone blocks that glow golden in the sun.  One can get very friendly with that building.  It's some pretty wonderful architecture, possibly the only thing that can draw one's attention away from the jaw-dropping geology of the gorge.  Those rough-hewn blocks are delightful.

And here it is, with the Gorge as its backdrop:

Vista House

Here's the man to thank for all this beauty:

Samuel Lancaster

Now, walk down the road a bit toward a curlicue of concrete and a lamppost:

Ooo, Interesting

Here you'll find a treasure sure to delight any geology geek:

USGS Benchmark

Now, if someone could be so kind as to explain exactly what these benchmarks are in the comments, I'd be eternally grateful.  My Google-fu has failed me.

And with that, we've left the Gorge.  Stop for just one last, lingering look from Chanticleer Point:

Gorge and Vista House

It's amazing what geological processes and human beings can create when they collaborate.