ASTORIA

ASTORIA

We were running out of time as usual but had time to drive the rig up to the Astoria Column to see the views. The column was completed in 1926 which depicts the discovery and settlement of the Columbia River until the arrival of the railway. No time to look for the Goonies house - next time!  We have now moved into Washington and arrived at our last campsite near Olympia.  A morning to pack and then we spent a great afternoon  with our friends Terry and Sally at a Bluegrass festival they are attending. So here we are sat in Schipol airport almost home again after another fanatastic time. Three months at home to sort our house then back again in August.

    

CANNON BEACH TO FORT STEVENS

Cannon Beach of “The Goonies” fame was not as I remembered in the film but then Terry had already told me that we had missed other places where it was filmed – next time!

However it was a beautiful walk along Cannon Beach watching the birds on Haystack Rock - Tufted Puffins, Common Murres, Pelagic Cormorants, Brants Cormorants in their hundreds.

CANNON BEACH

TUFTED PUFFINS

On to Fort Clatsop, where in 1805 - 06, Lewis and Clark and the 33 members of the Corps of Discovery spent 4 months preparing for their return journey to St. Louis, Missouri. They had completed an expedition that was President Thomas Jefferson’s idea, he sent an exploratory party by rivers to the Pacific through virtually unknown territory, they travelled over 4,000 miles on way!

We spent the night at Fort Stevens State Park, from the Civil War to the end of the Second World War this fort had guarded the mouth of the Columbia River. We had a walk to see the wreck and next day we drove to see some wildlife before heading to Astoria.

ELK AND EAGLES AT FORT STEVENS

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.

MOUNT HOOD AND TAMANAWAS FALLS DAY

BEFORE READING THIS YOU NEED TO GO BACK ABOUT 3 BLOGS TO THE OREGON TRAIL NATIONAL SCENIC CENTER ONE SO YOU CAN GET THE FULL STORY FROM THE BEGINNING!

SCRUB JAY 

BONNEVILLE DAM

MEMALOOSE OVERLOOK - THE ISLAND IS WHERE THE INDIANS LEFT THEIR DEAD

Yesterday was quite stressful as the garage man kept sending us texts about the fault with the Dodge, am sure he was looking for a loophole but in the end we decided it was best to drive back to Bend with the truck and trailer on Monday so he could deal with it in person.

We made use of the rental car and spent two days visiting scenic areas. On Sunday we drove up to the base of Mount Hood, quite spectacular! We combined it with a 4 mile hike to pretty Tamanawas Falls.

MT HOOD

 UP AT TIMBERLINE LODGE AT THE BASE OF MOUNT HOOD

Today, Monday 12th, we returned the rental car and drove back down to Bend so the company can hopefully sort out the Dodge, 150 miles south instead of heading north but at least I got to sit in a posh lounge and get caught up with wifi.

Let's hope the next blog will have good Dodge news!