Located in Astoria, Oregon, on the mouth of the Columbia River, the museum "preserves and interprets the rich maritime heritage of the Pacific Northwest." The 40,000 square foot museum on seven acres of riverfront, recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. It annually welcomes over 100,000 visitors

The museum's location couldn't be more dramatic. The museum boasts 10,000 square feet of glass which allow visitors to look out over the five-mile wide river. And right there on the dock, they'll see the spinning cups of the Vantage Pro's anemometer. Jerry told us that the Vantage Pro console, connected to a large flat screen display, is located in the Great Hall, and is one of the museums most popular exhibits.

The Columbia Maritime Museum's weather exhibit gives visitors a view of the river and the weather station. (Put on your strong glasses and look at the far right end of the dock. There's our Vantage Pro!)

"Visitors can look out at the river's white caps and watch the dials at the same time. They love it!" Jerry told us. "Many of our exhibits are more complicated, and we find that visitors, especially kids, gravitate to the weather station exhibit." Jerry is not really surprised by the interest museum visitors have in weather. A weather watcher since the fifth grade, Jerry still has his first Weather Wizard III. He has even installed a repeater for the Vantage Pro so he can keep a console on his desk at the museum.

Jerry said that while white caps and rain showers are frequent, more dramatic weather is also often served up by the river environment. "We get some hellacious storms off the Pacific," he said, with the enthusiasm of a true weather buff. "Hurricane force winds whip in from the sea at the headlands. We are 12 miles inland, so the winds usually calm down somewhat by the time they reach us, but those wind cups can really get moving."

The Columbia is the largest river in the Northwest, second nationally only to the Mississippi, and it is an artery to the Pacific Rim. Its important role in commercial shipping is underscored by the fact that Astoria, with its 10,000 citizens, is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. It was Astoria where Lewis and Clark ended their hike across the Northwest.

Jerry's good judgment was demonstrated again when he told us how much he appreciated the quality and price of his Vantage Pro. "I know good products when I see them, and the Vantage Pro is great stuff. And it was so affordable. We didn't have to work up a fundraising campaign or even write up a proposal to buy it."

Located just two hours from Portland, the museum itself was named among the top three in the nation. Jerry Ostermiller would love to show you their Vantage Pro, as well as over 7,000 artifacts and the lightship Columbia, a national monument.

"Come by sometime," he suggests. We think we may just take that suggestion. For now, be sure to check out the museum's website.

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