BEND TO TILLAMOOK

Thankfully we departed Bend with the Dodge almost sorted, all the outstanding jobs were completed and we had the address of the manufacturers of the crown wheel carrier (the part causing the vibration at slow lock) near Seattle where we will go when we return in August where they will decide if it warrants work. Roy has already spoken with the man so he knows all about it.

Mount Hood

HORSES AT GOVERNMENT CAMP

GOVERNMENT CAMP

Our drive north to Portland was beautiful, the Cascade mountains glistening in the sun, we arrived in Milwaukee near Portland, parked our rig outside our friends house and spent a lovely evening with them. We ate the biggest steaks I have ever seen then walked it off by visiting the splendid Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens. Sadly we had to leave next morning but with the hope of meeting up at the Pendleton Round Up in September.

CRYSTAL SPRINGS GARDENS

CLIFF, JANE AND US

A RED WINGED BLACKBIRD SINGING HIS HEAD OFF

WOOD DUCK

Back to the Pacific Ocean and Tillamook – famous for the cheese factory where we had a self guided tour, found out all about the beginnings of the cheese making business, saw the factory floor, ate lots of cheese samples and Roy ended with a huge Tillamook ice cream.

We stopped the night at Nehalem Bay State Park on the edge of the ocean so ended our day with a 2 hour walk along the deserted beach in sunshine and 30oC temperatures.

ENDLESS FIELDS OF RED CLOVER

This ship below is a replica of the first ship they used to take the cheese to market as there were no roads.