From personal experience, I can tell you there's nothing quite as adrenaline-pumping as being on the Columbia River Bar in a 25' Bayliner when the only way you can see sky is to look straight up!
I grew up learning to run our boat out of Hammond (on the Oregon side) going over the Bar. We had our share of puckers for sure. I remember being out there in the fog, too, the time when a ship ran in to the dredge Biddle. Oops.
Heard our share of calls for help on the radio too. Once we were able to get a line on another boat that had lost power and was drifting into Clatsop Spit (not good). We were only able to stay in place until the Coasties got there and got 'em out of trouble.
Go back on a stormy day, or on an ebb with a serious minus tide if you want to see some serious waves!
Anyway, nice pics. Astoria is a nice loop. Hy 202 to Astoria then back on Washington side on 401 and Hy 4. The small ferry at Cathlamet is a fun diversion too.