Mon, July 15:

Portland/Fairview RV Park, Portland, OR, to Ft. Stevens State Park, near Astoria, OR:  Bid farewell to Portland this morning around 10:00.  We took I84 west and then I205 north and then took the I30 bypass, eventually crossing the Willamette River to Rt. 30.  The Willamette River in this area is not very pretty, with large oil storage tanks lining both sides of the river.  But pretty quickly we were in a pristine area with a pretty valley to the north and steep, wooded hills on our left.  Drove through cute little towns of Scappoose, St. Helens, Rainier, and then historic Astoria.  Followed the Columbia River most of the way.  The river really widens as it meets the Pacific.  Ft. Stevens State Park sits on a peninsula that juts into the Pacific.  A really nice park with a nice campground, extensive bike paths, equestrian trails, several lakes and nice beaches.  Our site is really nice with lush vegetation between our living area side and the site next to us.  Very private.  After getting set up we walked over to one of the lakes using one of the bike paths and then a trail through this beautiful forest.  We’re here for only four nights.  Wish it was longer.  And we have full hook-ups which is unusual for a state park.  73 when we arrived.

Our site.

Portland/Fairview RV Park, Portland, OR:  Another beautiful, sunny day.  This morning as I was walking around I noticed a couple of people washing their rigs.  Usually that’s not allowed at commercial parks.  So, I got back and suggested to Mike that we at least wash the front of the fifth wheel.  I told him I would do the washing and he could rinse.  Worked out really well.  Got most of the crud off and it looks much better.  After finishing that chore we went out and fueled up the truck and did the grocery shopping.  We’ve had a great two weeks here.  Tomorrow we head back to the Oregon coast—way north on the coast.  We’re staying at a state park right on a point overlooking the ocean.  Going to check out Fort Clatsop where Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery spent their last winter.  Should be interesting.  Low 80s today.

Chinese Garden--Portland, OR

Portland/Fairview RV Park, Portland, OR:  Got up late this morning.  Changed the sheets and then did the laundry.  The pool is right next to the laundry room.  Watched the kids for a bit.  The pool looked pretty inviting.  Finished the laundry and sat outside reading for a while.  Pork roast with a honey mustard glaze and corn casserole for dinner tonight.  A laid-back day today.  Beautiful though.  Sunny and low 80s.

Barns of America

Columbia River Gorge--Washington Side

Portland/Fairview RV Park, Portland, OR:  Explored the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge today.  Crossed over on the I205 bridge and then took Rt. 14 east which hugs the river pretty closely.  This side of the river is quite a bit different from the Oregon side, showing the diversity of the landscape in the gorge.  And it gives another perspective of the stunning beauty on the Oregon side.  Stopped at a beautiful lodge for lunch.  After lunch we continued on and took a side road which climbed way up above the river into a landscape of orchards and vineyards and a stunning, snow-capped mountain in the distance—not sure if it was Mt. Hood or Mt. Adams.  Crossed back over to Oregon on the “Bridge to the Gods” (so called because you’re praying the whole time you’re on this very narrow bridge) and then took scenic I84 back through the gorge to our park.  77 today.

View from an overlook called "Cape Horn".  This pull-off was just a wide spot in the road.  There was a guard rail, but the other side of the guard rail was a sheer drop of several hundred feet.  But it shows this pretty little valley on the Washington side and huge mountains on the Oregon side.

A huge Douglas Fir.

This huge rock Lewis and Clark called "Beacon Rock".  It's about 800 feet high.  There's actually a very steep and zig-zaggy hiking trail to the top.  No thank you.

Lodge where we had lunch.

We had to pass through a series of tunnels on the Washington side.

Wind surfers and kite surfers.  Most--but not all--had wet suits on.

A fuzzy picture, but you can see how rough the water was.  All from the wind!

Mt. Adams

All over Oregon and Washington are these signs.  Not "falling rocks".  Just "rocks".

Portland/Fairview RV Park, Portland, OR:  Back to the morning clouds/afternoon sun routine.  Chilly and cloudy this morning.  So we went to see “The Heat” with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy.  Very funny!  By noon most of the clouds had dissipated.  Still a little on the chilly side.  I made a chocolate cream pie for dessert tonight.  77 today.

Bluff along the Columbia River Gorge.

Barns of America
Historic Route 30--Oregon

Residential marina on the Columbia River

Portland/Fairview RV Park, Portland, OR:  Stayed around our park today.  Took care of some maintenance issues, got the truck washed, and explored around the immediate area a little.  There’s a marina just down the road from our park.  It’s gated, surrounded by chain link and barbed wire, and is basically a residential area on the water.  The homes were built on floating docks.  Instead of parking your car, you park your boat.  Different.  Then checked out blue lake which is also just next door to our park.  Then we had to find an Office Depot to replace the power thingy for our laptop which went belly-up.  A nice day today.  80 and sunny.  Grilling steaks tonight along with a salad. Enjoying a cocktail before dinner.

Floating residential/marina area on the Columbia River.  Gated, fenced, chain-linked and barb wired.

Mt. Hood

Portland/Fairview RV Park, Portland, OR:  Drove up to Mt. Hood today.  Took the scenic byway and it was a beautiful drive through a rugged area of mountains covered in pines, sparkling streams and rivers.  Drove up to Mt. Hood Timberline Lodge to have lunch.  Imagine our surprise when the place was slammed with skiers!  Yes!  They ski here in July!  There were whole ski and snow boarding teams brought to the mountain in buses and vans.  They have to hike up to the ski lift, ski down as far as the snow allowed, and then hike back to the ski lift.  We had a leisure lunch and watched these intrepid skiers.  This scenic loop ended at the cute little town of Hood River and then we took I84 back through the Columbia River Gorge which is also incredibly scenic.  88 today!

Beautiful Mt. Hood.

Skiers ready to hit the slopes.

Watched them from our dining room table.

Who knew?

Main lobby of the Timberline Lodge.

Timberline Lodge.

Trillium Lake