Astoria, Oregon

Monday 26 July

You didnt get a letter yesterday from Bend, Oregon, on account of we arrived there late after a big day in the saddle.

I was in the dogbox for getting us lost in a town called Grants Pass

trying to dodge the I-5 interstate freeway with the GPS doing its best to put me on it

the worst part about it being the 2 bikes in our group with pillions doing stop-starts around city streets

while trying to stay on the track of a headless chicken leader.

I finally gave in to the GPS getting on to I-5 but heading in the wrong direction

and I woke up I was in exactly the same predicament as last year

but this time was able to get off the freeway quicker without the u-turn I pulled last year.

Neither GPS option of fastest time, or shortest route, is convenient at times

and this situation does indicate a rare case of deficient road signage

come to think of it, I pulled into the same gas station to ask directions

and was given the same off-beam pointers

its a waste of time asking an American for directions.

From Eureka up the coast in the fog but lifting a little for the run through Redwood National park to Crescent City, then the duck inland to Grants Pass and Crater Lake.

Went past the turn-off to Oregon Caves, and was told by a gas station attendant it was something to see

next year maybe!

Crater Lake

Crater Lake was still there, a 6 mile diameter crater filled with water, not blown up in the interim since we were last here.

Interesting to hear the comments of the others, discovering what we did last year

how civilised the road traffic is

and how our great scenic asset is but a postage stamp compared to whats here.

Fast run on straight roads down to Bend with the GPS redeeming itself putting us right at the front door of a difficult to find hotel

where I scuttled away to the McMennamins pub to throw down a handle or two.

The group were a bit shocked by the heat that day, but at 85F I had to tell them, like the scenery

it gets better........

Today was Bend to Astoria through Salem where some fellow-riders wanted to go to the Harley dealer.

From the Willamette ferry

Out through Sisters with the 3 mountains on our left in clear blue skies at 7000' asl

down past Detroit Lake and an ice-cream and right on the button at the Harley shop

which was closed......

after weekend trading many businesses take monday off.

Reliant on the GPS we headed for McMinnville on the fastest route setting which took us to a ferry crossing the Willamette River

through fabulous agricultural country, hops, wheat, alfalfa, dairy farms (all housed), a huge garden nursery

to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum for a couple hour visit.

Highlight exhibit is the Howard Hughes "Spruce Goose", a monolithic seaplane that was designed to carry troops to Europe during the war, but only did one test flight at 70' off the water.

The wingspan is greater than a football field is long, and a man can stand inside the wing

the avionics are noted for the leverage of effort from joystick to aileron control.

Then down through some more shady forest winding road to Tillamook

where we dodged the aviation museum there, opting for the farmer co-op cheese factory

another example of local industry turned massive tourist attraction

glassed walkways above the production line, cafe, souvenir shop, and a huge icecream bar.

Light fading so quick rip up the coast and within 20km of Astoria, we spot a 2 block retail outlet complex open 9am-9pm,
shopping time!

In Astoria, down to Wayfarer Inn to check if the 14oz steak still lives

it does......

Final comment...

we've been in pine scented fresh air and blue skies nearly all day, (except for the last 30 odd km up the coast in cold fog)

like last year you have to think there's little wrong with US CO2 sequestration and emission ledger.