MAY 9, 2011: ASTORIA, OREGON, at the mouth of the Columbia River is a significant place in the history of the United States. The region is the terminus of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Before today I had crossed over the spectacular bridge between Washington and Oregon... both times on my bicycle on long rides from Vancouver, B.C., to San Diego, California. Coming in and going out over the bar at the mouth of the Columbia River is said to be the most dangerous crossing of its kind in the world.