Day 41 - Portland, OR to Everett, WA. The Long Way

Days on the road: 41.
Miles today: 384.
Miles to date: 8251.


Oh joy, more rain. I know this is the Northwest, but 3 days of rain in a convertible blows. I had hoped to avoid some of the inclement weather by heading inland, so I pointed the little blue Audi East and rolled the dice. Much like in Las Vegas, I crapped out. The clouds were heavy and low, obscuring the mountains that I had hoped to see. I went inland via the Columbia River gorge, weaving along the river's bends and climbing all the while. It was again verdant and lush, and those well-draining roads continued. My trip took me past the Cascade Locks, a place called Starvation Creek (I wonder what happened there), and through The Dalles, home of a honking big power dam.

I then cut North into the Tekama reservation which turns out to be apple and pear country. Up, high on a plateau, were orchards and ranches and vineyards too. Passing through the Rattlesnake Hills, I went through Yakima, Selah, and Ellensburg. Then it was a massive downhill run back through the Cascades Range, through Bellevue and settling in Everett, WA. If you know what is here, you'll know tomorrow morning's big activity.

Day 40 - Eureka, CA to Portland, OR

Days on the road: 40.
Miles today: 451.
Miles to date: 7867.



Rain, rain, and rain...from light sprinkles to heavy downpours to traffic halting rains of biblical proportions. I started off by heading up the 101 along the coast. Having a convertible and being forced to keep the top up by inclement weather is bogus. If feels as though the gods are conspiring against me. But I'm not paranoid. Once again, the giant redwoods framed my view of the road for half of my day. As I excited the forest, the clouds parted for just a few minutes to get a good view of my surroundings.


And a few miles up the coast provided for what would be the last chance to shoot without getting drenched by the rain:


Shortly thereafter, I headed inland and along the Umpqua river toward Drain, OR. Drain was once a thriving logging town. Not to be confused with a town in which Kenny Loggins once thrived. (I saw a Kenny Loggins billboard on the road today and have been dying to work that in somehow - look, I'm not saying it is all gold, but it is better than sleepy kittens.) And now, it is pretty hollowed out. The mills are dormant and wasting away. Buildings are crumbling and nature is starting to take it all back. Plenty of rain and elk, though.

All that rain makes Oregon verdant and lush. But the people seem like downers. I didn't see anyone smiling or laughing. The hotel clerk, bartender, waiter, doorman, and doughnut vendor I interacted with all appeared dour and mopey. Also, there are very few attractive women in this city, and those that caught my eye are probably hitting 1-2 points higher than they usually would due to lack of competition. And further, TONNES of lesbians. TONNES. More lesbians than you can shake a stick at.

Good things about Portland - your roads drain very well and are fairly smooth. And you've got great doughnuts. Now I gotta get out of here before I confuse another lesbian with a meek, nerdy man from tech support again...