Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Oregon East to West

  Those Gas Stations from the past:

 (Publishing a little earlier,  for tomorrow, we are a little beat.)

For Wednesday’s drive:

We started just inside the border of Oregon, on I-84. The scenery was long roads, farms, still a lot of wheat, hay and potatoes:

 





But the land became barren hills and more rugged, the Big hills became mountains.

 

Look at that home tucked way back under that mountain.


There were long runs, up to 6 miles, down a 6% grade. These pictures do not show how steep the hills were.

Something I love is looking at the abandoned homes and trying to imagine the lives there in earlier years:


Something unique here in the west the giant Wind Mills. Here is a blade being transported, it is about 100 feet long.

 


 AS we went West and the mountains grew, all of a sudden they were covered with trees



 Our biggest treat was driving beside the Columbia river. The river separates Oregon and Washington states for many miles and is absolutely beautiful.

 


Across the Columbia is Wahsington state where those wind mills are.

To our left was usually vertical rock cliffs.
A train track ran between us and the water at times.
One of the several dams along the Columbia.

 Note this TRAIN tunnel cut through that rock. There are several of these.

One surprise was the huge mountain that jumped in front of our road in the distance, at least 80-100 miles away. In just a few minutes Sherry and I recognized it. We had once climbed up to the first glacier; it was the beautiful and majestic Mt. Rainer in Washington State. (Times Like this I would like to have a good camera, this is a little Kodak)

 


Then we drove into Portland;

 

 

 

AND headed south to Salem, the capitol of Oregon. Where we plan to spend a few days with JJ’s other son Corey.  Corey is now a truck driver.

We had never driven East to west in Oregon before. Our trips before have been North to South.  Both drives are super.

Nite Shipslog   

                

 

9 comments:

betty said...

Great pictures of Mount Ranier!! You guys are covering a lot of miles in your adventures! Thanks for sharing them with us!

betty

Susie said...

I have loved seeing the gas station photos. Your son is an awesome driver. I would love to see the river. We have an amazing country. I am so glad you and Sherry got to do this trip. So nice your son is with you, too. Blessings to all, xoxo, Susie

Lisa said...

More great shots here. It’s nice that your son is helping with the driving. My mom and dad are heading to Tennessee next month and for the first time have asked for one of us kids to got with them. I will volunteer my big brother, ha!

Stay Between the lines
Lisa

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Driving those mountain roads would be very scenic for sure. New view around every curve. Nice Jack Jr. is getting to see his kids. And you, your grandkids too. I've never quite figured out why kids have to live so far away. When they were young, I always imagined them close by. I have some grands that live in California and miss seeing them. Enjoy your visit and stay safe !

Mevely317 said...

I was over here reading and thinking, "Oh, don't go to Portland ... please don't let them go to Portland." LOL!
That image of Mt. Ranier is breathtaking. I can only imagine the thrill of seeing it in person.
Hope y'all are putting your feet up and enjoying a nice respite with Corey!

Glenda said...

I'm dizzy from seeing the photos, OMG, they're spectacular. BUT, they gives me the "willies. So happy that JJ is the driver! The pics are, of course, awesome. Thanks for the thrills!!! Hugs from Chobee, Glenda

Dar said...

Oh MY, but today has been another fascinating drive thru hills and dales, rivers, rail, and WOW look at Mt. Rainer. Oregon is beautiful. I've been watching too much of the weather channel.....are you breathing any of the smoke from the CA fires? Be safe and continue exciting us with your awesome trip east to west.......the mt. roads scare me a bit. I'd have to close my eyes.:/
loven'hugs from our northern WI where we are having the most pleasant weather right down to excellent air quality. I can breathe.

yaya said...

My #2 son lives in Beaverton, just outside of Portland. It is beautiful but I would hate to make the drive in that traffic with a motor home! It's pretty hilly in his neighborhood but I love when we go to the coast. I thought the mountain you were seeing was Mt. Hood...I've been up that one! Enjoy your trip and seeing family! You certainly have seen this beautiful country! One day we may drive instead of flying when going to see our son and his family.

boromax said...

Man, I enjoy seeing your travel logs. I'm pretty sure that mountain in your pictures is Mt. Hood.