Hot and cold in Washington and Oregon.
As we head south the temperature increases.
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Pacific beaches, aeroplane factory and coffee in Seattle. |
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At Lynden border crossing we were soon through the formalities and once again back in the United States
Our route took us south around Lake Whatcom to Wenberg state park campground on lake Godwin.
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Next morning found us heading to Everett for a tour around the Boeing assembly plant. No electronic devices or cameras are allowed so we have no photos! The tour was far too short but it was interesting to see how a 747 is put together.
In Seattle we parked near to a futuristic building that is home to the Museum of Science Fiction.
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We took a ride up the Space Needle to see the city.
The expensive coffee was not that tasty!
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At Ocean Shores on the Olympic Peninsular we spent time on the beach and Dot scared all the gulls as she rode around on her bicycle.
Along the highway we saw an RV towing a Sprinter van! ( at home the Sprinter would be the RV)
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The coast is very, very windy-hence the World Kite Museum. Walks along the beach were a challenge.
The beaches along this coast are spectacular and deserted.
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At Cape Disappointment State Park we visited the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Centre.
This was the end of the epic journey in November 1806. |
The Cape was named in 1788 by a English sea Captain who failed to cross the bar into the Colombia River.
There are many lighthouses along this rocky coast and at Northhead a couple were getting married in the gale!
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Another 'first' was a State Park campsite with its own airstrip where pilots could pitch a tent beside the plane. . This area is covered in cranberry bogs where they 'float' off the berries at harvest time. |
Now it was time to go inland to visit Mount St Helens to see the devastation left behind when the volcano erupted 25years ago.
The volcano had erupted again in December 2004 and was still smoking!
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Our Yamahas were very useful in this area as many of the roads and trails were closed due to volcanic activity.
This sign didn't stop us exploring some that were still open to two wheel travel. |
These two pictures show the difference between the devastated areas and the new growth on the pumice and lava.
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Some of the trails were blocked with fallen trees and we had to stop and make a way around.
But on the narrow Boundary trail a bridge across a ravine was washed away and we had to turn back!
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Meeting old friends and hot racing at Washougal MX. |
Our journey continued along the Colombia river gorge to admire the scenery and visit Washougal MX track. Here we met up with Carol and Alan Parker from Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Last time we were together was in Taralgon, Victoria, Australia at the 75th ISDE in 1988! Alan was wearing his Team Old Fart T shirt!
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Racing began on Thursday for the amateurs and the WMA (Womens MX Association) were holding a round of their championship at the track.
The racing was keen and Jessica Paterson was stylish and fast! |
The girls on the podium were thrilled to have raced on the pro track and the prizes hard won!
Over 2000 riders from the ages of 5-70 came to the starting gate over the three days for some exciting racing! But it was HOT! Over 38degrees outside and 35degrees inside our bus! |
Thousands of spectators were crowded into the infield and the USA military were there to try and get recruits!
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Each tried to have a bigger presence but this Marine was just a big blow up doll!
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These Unbound Energy Drink girls however were very real!
Pity the drink tasted awful!
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We were disappointed that both Bubba Stewart and Chad Reed were absent due to injuries so Ricky Carmichael would have no serious competition.
Since we last watched him race he had changed from Honda to Suzuki and was on course to win yet another championship!
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Practise time was used very carefully and getting a good start was going to be essential. The mechanics take it all very seriously and have carts full of equipment at the trackside.
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David Voullimeen and Kevin Winthrop would try to keep up the pressure but RC had it all his own way in both races!!
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This pit board made us smile!
Just how many pairs of goggles does a rider need?
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It was so hot that Carol wore an ice hat.
The last photo I took in OZ she was wearing a huge Mexican sombrero!
Others used snocones to cool down!
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The three riders on the podium were happy to finish the days work and all said they had enjoyed the racing!
The track is in a beautiful location high up in the forest and reminded us of Hawkstone Park track.
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Down along the fantastic Oregon coast. |
As the sun was setting we followed the Parkers across the Colombia River into Oregon.
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Now we could spend some time at their house in Lake Oswego and admire all Alan's toys!
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Alan has a well equipped workshop and Carol has a lovely sewing room-
but she would not allow any photos in there! |
To escape the severe heat we all went for a visit to the coast to see some of the famous lighthouses, this one is at Cape Mears
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Jim had been surprised to learn that the Evergreen museum in McMinnville is where the famous Howard Hughes flying boat has a new home.
Just look at the size of the engines! |
The vast interior looking towards the back of the Spruce Goose. It was hard to believe this huge plane is made of wood! |
It was lovely to be driven around all the local beauty spots like the Bob Straub park. The sand dunes make a nice backdrop for a photo shoot!
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At the roadside fruit stall Dot spotted this unusual RV with a VW used as a roof, parked amongst a herd of goats! |
Carol and Dot visited Oregon City and the trail museum.
This map helps visitors to follow the route that the pioneers took across the country. |
A Ranger gave an interesting talk about the pioneers journeys in this reconstruction of a supply warehouse.
Even though the trail was in use in the 20th century all the exhibits are about the first ten years from 1840.
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To escape the heat we left the Parkers and headed down the coast past Heceta Head lighthouse and the Tillamook cheese factory.
We had a quick look at the visitor centre and tried to imagine this number of people visiting the cheese factory in Oswestry! |
Alan and Carol have a lovely plot of land where they plan to build a log home for their retirement. Just a few miles inland it is ideally positioned to escape both the heat and sea fog!
The first building on the plot is a huge workshop, no surprise, to store all the equipment. Here we said goodbye until we meet again in 2006 in New Zealand at the ISDE. |
Riding in the Oregon dunes and beside the ocean. |
All along the coast every day there is a huge bank of fog caused by the severe inland heat.
While it is much cooler it spoils the beach parties and the water is too cold for bathing!
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At one State park we came across an historic tree stump!
No comment! |
Along the way we spotted a sign for the biggest Sitka Spruce tree in the USA ( strangely not the World)
Standing 206feet tall with a circumference of 56feet it was impressive and too big to photograph! |
Across the 45th parallel through Lincoln city to Beverley beach where Dot collected pebbles and a dragonfly was caught sunbathing!
These strange tents are called yurts and are supposed to resemble Mongolian tents-why?
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Next stop was at the marina in Florence where this fine bridge crosses the river. The town has developed the riverside into a tourist hot spot with trendy boutiques and expensive cafes.
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This signpost shows the mileages to some of the other cities that are also called Florence.
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This Range Rover parked alongside belongs to a couple who run a small gallery selling motoring memorabilia.
They own lots of classic British cars and we had a good long chat.
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Further south at Winchester we camped at Salmon harbour Marina and unloaded the bikes to go and ride on the famous Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
We had to get a permit and a silly flag for each bike.
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Used mostly by rented ATVs whose novice riders can ride the soft sand easily.
We were both glad to get out onto the hard sand next to the Pacific ocean and into the cooler air.
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This is a wreck of the freighter Clarissa which ran aground in 1999 and has defied all attempts at sinking.
Pity there was so much fog.
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All along the coast there are tons of driftwood washed ashore and the water worn timbers make interesting shapes.
Yet another lighthouse-this is at the Coquille River. |
At Bullards Beach near Bandon we explored the
unusual rock formations on the shore. When the fog lifted and the sun shone it was fantastic
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We leave the ocean to visit the mountains. |
Oregon has a few covered bridges and this one over Sandy Creek was built in 1927.
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Up in the forest we visited the Tokebee falls and the parking place was beside this huge stave pipe that takes water to the hydro electric power station.
Jim noticed that the pipe had a few leaks!
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High up in the clear air is Crater Lake National Park where we drove around the rim of this beautiful deep blue lake.
It is the deepest lake in the USA. |
What a place for a lunch stop-the view was awesome!
This Phantom ship made of rock sails all day on the lake. |
We spent the night in the campground up there and walking back from the Ranger talk the stars seemed almost within reach. Back down to lower altitude we stopped in Grants Pass for supplies and saw the smoke from a forest fire.
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As we drove along we could see the water bombers overhead.
We decided to choose an overnight stopping place well away from the path of the fire! |
Back to the coast and the California Redwoods.
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