Pacific Northwest - Summer Sojourn 2014

[Mark Sedenquist]

....but achieving a goal can alter your travel plans.

That's very true.

Back downtown on the 5 to the African Burial Ground National Monument. This was the most interesting of the sites we visited. In the 1990s, while excavating for building in central Manhattan, a cemetery with 15,000 remains was discovered. The graves date back to the 1600s and were all African Americans. The small visitor center does an outstanding job of interpreting this site.

This is very interesting, I never knew of this location.

Enjoying the journey with you.

Mark

[Pmount]

Friday, June 13
Start: Troutdale, OR
Finish: Ainsworth State Park, E of Troutdale on US 30

Great night's sleep, even with a gentle rain off and on all night. Continued to rain in the morning so we drove back into Troutdale for breakfast. We then headed south to Oregon City to visit the McLoughlin House (part of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site) and End of the Oregon Trail Center. Back on I-205 heading north across the Columbia River into Vancouver, Washington to visit Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. While there we also stopped in several of the houses that are part of the Vancouver National Historic Preserve; Marshall, Howard and Grant House. All of them are beautiful homes that currently have exhibits, tours and a restaurant at the Grant House.

Back across the Columbia River

Multonomah Falls - Historic US 30 - Columbia River Gorge


Railway sign at Multonomah Falls


Horsetail Falls




Saturday, June 14
Start & Finish: Ainsworth State Park

Long morning in camp, still recovering from whirlwind trip to NYC. Went back into Gresham to do laundry, lunch, gas and some shopping. On our way back up I-84 we stopped for some letterboxes along the route. Too many in the area to do in a short period of time.

Bridal Veil Post Office


Sheppard's Dell along Historic US 30 - Columbia River Gorge


US 30 Bridge at Sheppard's Dell


Vista House - Historic US 30


View looking East - up the Columbia River from Vista House


Finished the day back at camp enjoying some bird watching. Finally got a hummingbird to our feeder, and a Rufous male and female. Their orange coloring is spectacular.

Sunday, June 15 - Happy Father's Day
Start: Ainsworth State Park, OR
Finish: Wildhorse Casino, E of Pendleton, OR

Woke up to a light rain, stayed in bed long enough for it to stop so we could fix breakfast in camp. Continued east on I-84 to Bonneville Dam Visitor Center. Besides interpreting the dam the grounds are planted with beautiful flowers.

Bonneville Dam & Locks


Full Sail Brewery


Full Sail Indoor Murals



Kitesurfing on the Columbia River - view from Full Sail


Hood River Secret Garden


Quick stop in Cascade Locks for a couple of letterboxes and pictorial stamp at the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler. Continued into Hood River for Father's Day lunch at Full Sail Brewery. This is one of two locations in town that have letterboxes inside and planted with permission from the owners. This one is at the hostess counter. Naked Winery, a few blocks away, has another indoor Letterbox. Great shops in town, fun place to walk around after an IPA and lunch. Hood River is known for wind which bring the Kite Windsurfers on the Columbia River

We ended the day east of Pendleton at the Wildhorse Casino. Free camping in the parking lot, with the big RV rigs. Went into the casino to check out breakfast options and ended up spending our 'camping fee' in the sports bars. Excellent IPA , WFO IPA, from a brewery in Baker City and 1/2 price Starters that made a full meal. Watched the final NBA playoff game.

Casino camping - our van amongst the 'real' RVs



Still no Maine license plate - not even seen while in NYC.

Week 4 Stats - June 8 - 14
Miles: 468
Expenses: $377.87*
*3 day trip to NYC not included in this week's Stats - not part of usual road trip expenses.
Total expenses through week 4


Passport Stamps
Fort Vamcouver NHS
McLoughlin House
Passport 25th Anniversary ( 1086-2011)
Vamcouver, WA
Oregon National Historic Trail
-Vancouver, WA
MO, KS, NE, WY, ID, OR, WA
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
-Washington
-Bonneville Lock and Dam
Bonus
-Pictorial of McLoughlin House
end of the Oregon Trail, Oregon City, Oregon
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
Northwest Explorer Program
Vancouver National Historic Preserve - General O.O. Howard House, white and dark roof --Vancouver National Historic Preserve - General Ulysses S. Grant House
Vancouver National Historic Preserve - General George C. Marshall House
Multonomah Falls - Oregon
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Multiple stamps at Multnomah Falls of Smokey, plants & animals
Columbia River Gorge - Vista House, Oregon
Bonneville Lock and Dam
Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler - Cascade Locks, Oregon


Collectible Tokens - 4
At Multnomah Falls

Letterboxes
Friday - none
Saturday - 4
Sunday - 6

Wildlife Sightings
Squirrels
Chipmunk
Mule Deer
Cottontail Rabbit

Steller's Jay
American Robin
Rufous Hummingbird
American Crow
Great Blue Heron
Starling
House Sparrow
Feral Rock Dove
Red-tailed Hawk
Osprey
Dark-eyed Junco
Hermit Thrush
Western Tanager
Scrub Jay
Snow Geese
Seagull, ?
Mallard
Ducks, ?

Yellow-headed Blackbird
Swallow, ?
Seagull, ?

[Pmount]

Eastern Oregon - 6/16-19

Monday, June 16
Start: Pendleton, OR
Finish: Copperfield County campground, Oxbow, OR

We had breakfast at the casino before leaving the RV/parking area which worked well for camping. Heading east on I-84 we climbed up over the Blue Mountains to La Grande, OR. We had always wanted to visit Enterprise, OR. First because of some beer we had there several years ago, when I saw how remote the town was it became a destination for us. At the Letterboxing gathering some mentioned how spectacular the scenery was in the area, so with an open agenda for the next several weeks we decided to check it out. Unfortunately a cold spell has covered Oregon this week.

As we headed up the Oregon Scenic Byway, OR 82 - Hell's Canyon, the weather got worse and worse - overcast turned into rain. By the time we arrived in Enterprise it was cold- 50 degrees and windy! We stopped at Terminal Gravity Brewpub for lunch. Excellent IPA and even better fresh Ahi tuna steak sandwich. We had planned to spend a couple of days in the area, but the weather was not pleasant for camping and hiking. We also learned that the Scenic Byway road through Hell's Canyon and the down to the Snake River would close Tuesday AM until Thursday PM for construction. So we drove on and up into a snow storm along FS39, a nicely paved road. Yes, snow on June 16!

Terminal Gravity Brewery


Before leaving the area we drove up to Joseph and Wallowa Lake, we'll definitely come back and visit! Between Joseph and the lake is the burial site for Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Tribe. The Nez Perce National Historical Park has numerous sites over several states to interpret the events from June through October 1877. This site has no visitor services, therefore no passport stamp.

Chief Joseph Cemetery


Wallowa Mountains - June!


We made a stop at Hells Canyon Overlook, part of Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (USFS) - very cold and windy at 6,000 feet. At least I was able to collect a few roadside flowers for my console bouquet - something I look forward to every summer as we drive through areas with beautiful wildflowers.

Snow along the drive


Hells Canyon Overlook


Flower bouquet


The Copperfield County Park, near Oxbow Dam, along the Snake River was a pleasant surprise. For only $14($2 discount for 60 or older) the sites had electric and water. This is one of several campgrounds developed and managed by Idaho Power. Lots of shade, not needed today, but usually much appreciated. Excellent sleeping - no trains, highway noises or rain, just a few early fisherman leaving camp in the AM.

Tuesday, June 17
Start: Oxbow, OR
Finish: Union Creek Campground (USFS), 20 miles W of Baker City, OR on OR7

After a great night's sleep and a sunny morning sky we took our time in camp. Enjoyed their excellent shower facility, which I plan to write up on my Road Showers blog. We left around 11 AM and drove 23 miles north along the Snake River to the Hells Canyon Creek Visitor a Center, just past the Hell's Canyon dam. Almost as soon as we started driving it started raining, off and on all along the drive. Beautifully paved road, 2 lanes with nice shoulders and great views. We fixed lunch back at the day use area of the campground, the temperature was definitely cooler than when we left in the AM.

Visitor Center


Snake River, N of Visitor Center


Once back at Oxbow we headed west on OR 86 to Baker City. It continued to rain off and on, but no snow today. Made a stop at the National Historic Oregon Trail Center outside of a Baker City, OR. Highly recommend spending time at this site, one of the better centers along the trail.

The weather up ahead of us looked frightful! Dark clouds covering the mountains heading west. We forged on and stopped at Union Creek campground, along OR 7. This USFS site has full and elec/water hookups! We have a small electric heater that works well in the van. No rain when we arrived, but within an hour it started to rain. We also have a microwave - so Gourmet Dinty Moore for dinner. What makes it gourmet? Served over couscous and a splash of red wine!

Wednesday, June 18
Start: Union Creek campground, OR 7
Finish: Lone Pine Recreation Site (BLM), E of Kimberly, OR

Persistent rain most of the evening, not too loud, just a light drizzle on the roof of the van. With hookups I was able to heat water for coffee and tea to go along with an energy bar. Drove along OR 7 with rain at the beginning, then let up, but cloud cover stayed socked in until late morning. This route was following the Oregon Scenic Byway titled, Journey Through Time. The changes in elevation and scenery were beautiful. A great backcountry drive that eventually hooked up with US 26.

Oregon Scenic Byway - Journey Through Time


As we drove across Dixie Pass, at 5279 ft, the view of the Strawberry Range with fresh snow from this week's inclement weather was pretty. Saw two sets of mule deer, mom and 2 fawns along the roadside. Stopped at multi-agency federal office; BLM, USFS & NPS offices in John Day for a variety of stamps. In Dayville stopped for city sign, pictured below and got a picture on an Osprey on pole. Had seen quite a few Osprey today as we followed the Powder, then the John Day Rivers.

Doe & Fawns


Strawberry Range


Dayville sign


Osprey


Along US 26 and west of Dayville you enter John Day Fossil Beds National Monument through a canyon cut by the Joh Day River. Just past that you turn off the highway to the visitor center and Gant Ranch. This is a repeat visit, but a chance for me to work on the Junior Ranger award. I was very pleased to see the booklet is titled Junior and Senior Ranger! The activities were challenging, even for a Senior Ranger, however you still receive the standard plastic Junior Ranger badge. We spent several hours at the Sheep Rock unit while I worked on the booklet. Ranger Michelle was very thorough in checking my booklet and enthusiastic in reciting the pledge. This is the first time I was offered an official,ranger hat to wear while reciting the Junior -Senior Ranger oath.

Ranger oath


We continued north along the highway, towards Kimberly, with a stop at the Blue Basin picnic area to hike the short Islands in Time interpretative trail. Happily the sun was out and very comfortable to be out and about - finally!

Along Islands in Time Trail


At Kimberly we found nothing, except a post office. A short distance to the east we camped at Lone Pine campground; five sites, along the John Day River with a vault toilet. The birding was rewarding. Four of sites taken by the evening.

Thursday, June 19

Wonderful evening and morning at the campground. Went back to Kimberly for the postal cancellation on an envelope with the John Day Fossil Beds passport stamp.

Campsite overview


We continued along the Journey Through Time, Oregon Scenic Byway along OR 19. This part of the route followed the John Day River, very scenic. We eventually ended up at Fossil, OR. Based a number of towns we had passed through, and how remote the area was, we expected very little in terms of services. Wow, not true at all! There was even a Chevrolet dealership.

Fossil Mercantile


After another postal cancellation, this one also for John Day Fossil Beds, but for the Clarno unit. This is one of three units and the only one we had not previously visited. This area is known for the diverse plant fossils found. Once there, over a very windy, but fun road there is not much available. Mainly it is a roadside rest with some interpretive signs.

Clarno unit


From Clarno we crossed the John Day River a final time before heading back to Central Oregon. North of Madras we picked up US 97 and took it south to Redmond. A stop in town at the local library to print out some papers, get gas and groceries. We then took OR 126 to Sisters where we camped for the night at Cold Springs campground.

The weather and lack of planning had slowed down our Letterboxing. When we re-route ourselves, as we did this week, we haven't printed out clues for Letterboxes along the way. That isn't usually a problem because we can easily get clues via a smartphone. However, the areas we had been traveling through were so remote, most of the time, there was so little connectivity that you could barely send a text or No Service. And rain and cold don't deter many, but we are Desert Rats! This campground had several boxes in the area so we enjoyed a nice afternoon to find some boxes. While out on a trail we found the window pictured below.

Window rock - Oregon


Passport Stamps
Oregon National Historic Trail - Baker City, OR
John Day Fossil Beds NM
Sheep Rock Unit, OR
Painted Hills Unit, OR
Clarno Unit, OR
Bonus
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
-Wallowa Valley Ranger District
Hells Canyon NRA
National Historic Oregon Trail Center at Flagstaff Hill
USDA Forest Service - Malheur National Forest
Monument Rock Wilderness
Strawberry Mountains Wilderness


Smashed Pennies
National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center - 4

Letterboxes
Monday - 4
Tuesday - none
Wednesday - 1
Thursday - 3


Wildlife Sightings
Mule Deer- including 2 sets of fawn twins
Elk
Ground Squirrel
Pine Squirrel
Lizard

American Crow
American Robin
Downy Woodpecker
Red-tailed Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Brewer's Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Mourning Dove
House Sparrow
Canada Goose
Osprey
Yellow Warbler
Bank Swallow
Canyon Wren
Black-headed Grosbeak
Cedar Waxwing
Dusky Flycatcher
Black-billed Magpie
Killdeer
Wild Turkey
Canyon Wren
Western Meadowlark
California Quail
Western Tanager

[Mark Sedenquist]

The Wallowa Mountains area has long been one of my favorite places in the west. Nice flower bouquet!

Enjoying the description and the photos!

Mark

[Southwest Dave]

I too am enjoying the report and photos. Oregon is one of many possible destination options for our next trip and I think you just pushed it a little higher up the list.

Dave.

[Pmount]

Friday, June 20
Start: Sisters, OR
Finish: Sutton campground (USFS), Florence, OR

Left Sisters heading west on OR 126 towards Eugene. This is another beautiful drive across Oregon, especially when it drops down and follows the McKenzie River. In Eugene we stopped at a Trader Joe's and then REI. At REI we made a purchase of a good jacket which was on sale and no sales tax in Oregon! On another trip up here we knew we needed a new transmission on our van, we waited till we got here to save several hundred dollars because of no sales tax.

We continued on OR 126 to the coast at Florence, OR. After getting a campsite at Sutton Beach we drove back down the coast to Reedsport to the Oregon Dunes NRA Visitor Center.

This brings up another Oregon story. A few years ago while camping at a USFS campground in Oregon Dunes we had a run-in with the federal forest service law enforcement. They came into our campsite, with hands at waist, on guns, and informed us our front license plate did not match the registration information they had run. We were backed into the campsite. They were on the lookout for a white van, like always! We showed them our back plate and told them AZ does not have a front plate (we have a commercial Route 66 plate on the front). They then accused us of fraud, as in Oregon the plates must match. We assured them if they ran our back plate we would be legal. We later found out they had stopped at the camp host to see what kind of people we were. All he could tell the is we were interested in the hummingbirds in the area.

Lots of wind along the coast, but our campsite was sculpted out of the dense forest so we were protected, for the most part.

Saturday, June 21
Start & Finish: Florence, OR

For the longest day of the year we managed to sleep until 8:30 AM. I think this campground gets the 'quietest' award! After breakfast we started on a letterbox quest of the area. Managed to find 6 of 7 boxes. Also did some antiquing. Found a postmark for Clinton, CA ( Lassen County), dated 1913. Post Office closed in 1915.

Sutton Beach view


One of the letterboxes was placed to commemorate the explosion of a beached dead whale. It was recorded by a TV crew and has now been added to You Tube - watch at your own discretion. Just searching You Tube 'exploding whale, Oregon 1970'.

View of beach - today


Another letterbox took us near the botanical site for this unique plant which Oregon has done an excellent job of protecting. The bog was full of the plant, some with stalks ready to flower. Orchid-type pitcher plant found from sea level up to 6000 ft.

Darlingtonia California


Picked up some fresh Chinook salmon which we grilled back at camp and finished with some local strawberries - Yum!








Passport Stamps
Bonus
-Oregon Dunes (USFS)

Smashed Pennies
Florence, OR
-Mo's Restaurant
-Wind Drift Gallery

Letterboxes
Friday - 2
Saturday - 6

Wildlife Sightings
Pine Squirrel
Gray Squirrel
Chipmunk
Ground Squirrel

Turkey Vulture
American Crow
American Robin
Seagull, ?
Double-crested Cormorant
Yellow Warbler


Weekly Stats - June 15 - 21
Miles: 1113
Weekly expense: $470.58
*groceries are included in meals

[Pmount]

The Wallowa Mountains area has long been one of my favorite places in the west.

We are hoping to return and spend more time here, maybe later in the season!

[Pmount]

Oregon is one of many possible destination options for our next trip and I think you just pushed it a little higher up the list.

Good choice - Oregon has soooo much to offer. We keep coming back!

[Pmount]

Sunday, June 22
Start & Finish: Florence, OR

We spent most of the day around Heceta Head, N of Florence on US 101. Our first order of business was a shower at Carl Washburne State Park. We discovered on this trip that all of Oregon State Park let day visitors use the campground showers for $2. And so far all of the campgrounds do not have a day entry fee. The price is posted with the other camping fees and you fill out a self-pay envelope, just as you would for camping. The showers are untied with plenty of hot water.

We spent the remainder of the day in and around Heceta Head, along US 101, N of Florence. While wandering along the Oregon Coast hiking trail we found 10 letterboxes. It was a gorgeous day, sunny skies and very little wind until late afternoon. It finally broke 70 degrees! This area includes the Heceta Head Lighthouse. Tours are available. From the state park parking lot, $5 day use fee, it is a 1/2 mile walk up to the lighthouse. Along US 101 is a free parking area (small and on the east side of the highway) with a signed trail to the lighthouse, 1-1/2 miles. The ocean views from this area are gorgeous.

Heceta Head ocean views








Heceta Head Lighthouse


Cape Creek Bridge - US 101


Monday, June 23
Start: Florence, OR
Finish: Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, S of Yachats, OR

Went back into Florence for breakfast, groceries, gas and one more letterbox before heading N on US 101. Another stop stop at Heceta Head area for another try, this time successful for a missed box yesterday.

Big day on the road - Not! Drove about 15 miles to Cape Perpetua Scenic Area (USFS), a spectacular area along the coast. Besides a Visitor center with films, displays and a gift shop there are numerous trails to the beach and into the Forest. Several times we have planned to camp here, but it was either full, weather was miserable or timing was wrong, so this time I was determined to make it work. Not a problem today; sites available, good weather and timing was good.

Cape Perpetua campground sign


After lunch and setting up camp we went back up to the visitor center for me to work on the Junior Ranger booklet. We also went out and found a few more boxes along the coast and up in the woods. Back to camp early to check out the critters. Looks like a female hummingbird found our feeder while we were gone.

An evening walk back to the beach found a large banana slug in the grass. The photo below shows it in scale to a car key. The beach area was deserted except for a few croaking frogs.

Banana Slug


Evening beach view


Tuesday, June 24
Start & Finish: Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

Another very quiet campground. We started the day with a hike in the Cummins Creek Wilderness, just south of Cape Perpetua. Nice road up to trailhead and no one around. We spent about 1-1/2 hours hiking along a very nice trail. Even though it was climbing in elevation the trail was smooth, no rocks or steps up or down. Hiking in the Sonoran Desert is tough, especially in and around the Sky Islands.

Trail in Cummins Creek Wilderness


Foxgloves


Went into Yachats (ya-hots) for a tasty lunch and then Letterboxing afterwards. The best find of the day was late in the afternoon at Vanilla Bean, a coffee house on the north side of town. The views all day long were pretty and the weather was perfect! Even saw some people in the water.

Ocean scene


Rock art or bored vacationers?


Beach flowers



Passport stamps
Bonus
- Heceta Head Lighthouse

Smashed Pennies
Sea Lion Caves- N of Florence

Letterboxes
Sunday - 10
Monday - 5
Tuesday - 7

Wildlife Sightings
Townsend's Chipmunk
Gopher - as evident by grass and dirt moving on top of a burrow in campsite

Turkey Vulture
American Robin
American Crow
Hermit Thrush
Rufous Hummingbird
Steller's Jay
Western Seagull
Band-tailed Pigeon
Brandt's Cormorant
Yellow Warbler
Pacific Wren
Wilson's Warbler

[Pmount]

Wednesday, June 25
Start: Cape Perpetua Scenice Area, S of Yachats
Finish: Beverly Beach State Park, N of Newport

Another very quiet night in camp. When I woke up this AM and looked out the van window a Townsend's Chipmunk was perched on a limb. We read they like to climb up on limbs and look around.

Townsend's Chipmunk


We had our hot beverage and large, delicious scones at Great Salmon Coffee House. This another Letterboxing opportunity with food as a side benefit. Very busy place, with lots of locals.
As we came into town we saw this bus parked alongside the road.

Crab bus


Blueberry scone


The weather forecast was for rain today,starting mid-morning. The coast was foggy and as we drove north it started to drizzle. It never really rained, just Oregon mist. When we got to Newport we did a few chores. On the north edge of town is the BLM site, Yaquina Head - Outstanding Natural Area. Once back at the lighthouse area it was outstanding. The bird colonies and sea lion colonies were extensive. The overcast sky did not make for great photography. In the visitor center parking lot a couple had a birding scope set up on a nest of Pereguine Falcon fledging on the nest. They were hopping around, looking like they could take off flying at any moment.

Sign


Yaquina Head view


Immature Bald Eagle sitting in the middle of a bird colony - easy eats.


Pelagic Cormorants sitting on nests


Common Murre colony


Further up the road we stopped for the day at Beverly Beach State Park. Electric hook-ups were welcomed with the continued threat of rain - all the way through Sunday! Luckily today it never was more than a drizzle, so far!

Thursday, June 26
Start: Beverly Beach State Park
Finish: Pacific City, OR

Light rain off and on all night. We were fairly clear of 'tree snot' - the rain drops that come off of trees hanging over your roof with a loud thud. What started out to be an ugly 'what are be going to do day' ended up to be fun! As we headed north on US 101 towards Lincoln City. Our first diversion took us along Otter Crest Loop to Cape Foulweather -that it was! But while we were there the weather started to clear and kept getting better all day. Below is a picture from the same location about 15 minutes apart.

Cape Foulweather #1


Cape Foulweather #2


We spent several hours around Depoe Bay for lunch and letterboxing. A series was placed in the area based on Doc Martin, the PBS series. That was a lot of fun because of the location and a favorite series of ours.

Depoe Bay Marina



We continued into Lincoln City and stopped at several antique malls. On the way out of town we enjoyed another Letterboxing opportunity at Beachtown Coffee. The banana bread and coffee cake were superb.

Our destination was Pacific City on Cape Kiwanda. We found this by default many years ago when we tried to get a campsite in Lincoln City on a Saturday night in July. We continued north and saw a camping symbol on a map out on a spur road. We stopped at a first commercial site we came to and found Nirvana! Campground filled with cute bunnies and even better a microbrew pub across the street, right on the beach - Pelican Pub. Whenever we are in the neighborhood - within 100 miles we make sure to come here. Since then we have found the county park with hookups and also right across from the pub.

Bunnies galore




Cape Kiwanda and Pelican Pub





Friday, June 27
Start: Pacific City, OR
Finish: Ft. Stevens State Park, Warrenton, OR

Quite the night along the coast, at 10 PM a steady light rain began and at 2 AM gale force winds were hitting us broadside. We survived the night with some sleep and managed to fix breakfast in the van before continuing north on US 101. It rained off and on all morning. We headed straight for Fort Clatsop, a unit of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. After getting passport stamps, Junior Ranger booklet and checking out the displays in the visitor center we went into Warrenton for the postal cancellation to complete postal cancellations for all of the Oregon national park sites.

With continuing poor weather and being Friday we decided to get camping with electric hookups as soon as possible. Happily Ft. Stevens State Park had sites. We did ask to change from our assigned site because of 'tree snot'. The site across the way had no trees overhanging the van. The rain has been fairly quiet on the roof, easy to sleep, as long as there are no overhanging trees.

Laundry day, so back into Warrenton to complete that task. Attached to the Shell mini-mart was one of the nicest laundromats; clean, lots of space and empty on a Friday afternoon.

We ended the day in Astoria visiting some antique stores then a very tasty dinner at Fort George Brewery. We almost never have dessert, but gladly we succumbed to exceptionally good carrot cake, worth every shared calorie.

Saturday, June 28
Start: Hammonton, OR
Finish: Centralia, WA

More rain off and on all night long and continuing when we woke in the AM. So after fixing coffee and tea at camp we picked up some hearty and tasty breakfast burritos at the Shell mini-mart we did laundry at yesterday. Their in-store snack bar was extensive.

We crossed the Columbia River on US 101 in Astoria, mostly seeing gray clouds, except for a couple of Bald Eagles part away across in the mud flats. Along the way we stopped at Lewis and Clark sites; Station Camp and Ft. Columbia. Station Camp is where the group decided to winter across the Columbia at Fort Clastop. We headed to Illwaco and Cape Disappointment State Park. Our 'disappointment' was the weather got worse and by the time we parked and started the walk up to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center it was pouring.

Station Camp


At this point the 4 days of rain had taken a toll. We decided to head inland and motel it in Centralia. We followed US 101 to Raymond, then WA 6 to I-5, then a short distance north to Centralia. Besides a quick stop at Rainbow Falls State Park we drove in and out of rain all day. Good to get inside. Picked up dinner at a near-by Safeway for an in-room repast.

Rainbow Falls


Weekly Stats - 6/22-28
Miles: 482
Expenses: $642.47*
*rain increases our meals out!



Passport Stamps
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
- Oregon
-Dismal Ditch, WA
-Fort Clatsop - Oregon
-Salt Works - OR
Cape Disappointment - WA
Fort Columbia - WA
Station Camp - WA

Bonus
Yaquina Lighthouse
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Cape Disappointment Lighthouse
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Illwaco, Washington
Ft. Columbia
North Head Lighthouse 1898 Washington

Letterboxes
Wednesday - 3
Thursday- 11
Friday - 2
Saturday - 1

Wildlife Sightings
Sea Lion
Cottontail Rabbit
Pine Squirrel
Townsend's Chipmunk
White-tailed deer

American Robin
American Crow
Western Seagull
Pelagic Cormorant
Brandt's Cormorant
Peregrine Falcon
American Bald Eagle
Common Murre
Surf Scooter
Finch
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Yellow Warbler