Friday, May 30: Yellowstone

I just read a flier that said that Yellowstone was the world’s oldest national park. I’m not 100% sure if that’s true, but it certainly is the United States’ oldest national park. If my tax monies go to preserving this amazing land, then bring it on. It is gorgeous….

Thursday: Idaho and Montana

A morning drive to Lake Coeur d’Alene was the perfect way to kick off a Thursday morning. It was overcast, but the lake was beautiful — as was the largest city in northern Idaho (population under 50K).  From there I headed for Montana (through gorgeous National Forests).  The entire population of Montana is under 1 million people — thankfully. The serenity and breathtaking simplicity of huge forests, mountains, rivers, clouds, farms, rainbows and wildlife are an unparalleled asset. I stopped for lunch at the Rose Memorial Park in Missoula and then found my way to Bozeman.  A perfect stopping point — this city (third largest in Montana) is very neat….as was my dining establishment. Montana Ale Works — home to Bozone Amber and a bison burger, which I happily consumed after a long day on the road.  It was hailing today….so I found shelter is the “TLC Inn” in Bozeman….

Wednesday, May 29th: Driving East

Today was a great day to drive — bright blue skies, just enough clouds, just enough sun.  Perfect.  After coffee in Seattle, I took off for the Snoqualmie Falls (thanks D3 for the recommendation).  The Falls are managed by Puget Sound Energy who harness the running water for electricity – and sure were running as things just started melting here.  I hiked down to the base of the falls – a perfect way to start off the morning.  Then back on I-90 heading east.  I felt like I was driving the wrong direction all day…..I’ll get used to it soon.  I drove by a city called “George, Washington” — remind me to meet someone from there.  Then to the Wanapum Vista Overlook off of I-90.  Here I found the Wild Horses Monument – steel sculptures on a cliff and a great view of the Columbia River.  Once I crossed the Cascades, Washington’s landscape became very different.  Then off to Spokane – caught the Red Wings game at a local sports pub, did laundry at the hotel.  Tomorrow — Idaho and Montana.

Tuesday, May 27th: Seattle

I should write a series of books (I’m sure it has already been done) called “City in a Day” and allow others to replicate extremely insane day-adventures for barely any money. Take today for example….

Monday, May 26th: Memorial Day

After having breakfast at the hostel and learning all about Yellowstone from an awesome guy, I said goodbye to Oregon and headed north.  First stop: a rest area.  I want to call attention to the fact that this rest area was quite unique: free coffee, free cookies and really fun people with whom to talk.  Washington State, I give thee two points for hospitality.  And definite points for landscaping….

Sunday: Plate Tectonics, Glaciers and Webkinz

Today, I am amazed and inspired by plate tectonics, glaciers and new friends. The morning started with a trek along the Columbia River — breathtaking beauty. In fact the scenic highway, as described by its visionaries, was to be where “tired men and women…may enjoy the wild beauty of nature’s art gallery and recreate themselves.” I would say they fulfilled their vision. Every turn along the highway was a different view of spring greens, sky blue skies, and the dramatic Columbia River.

Saturday in Portland

I love Portland. It is a really vibrant community that seems both welcoming and mysterious. It doesn’t surprise me, at all, that it is a really well-kept secret. As a professor at Grand Valley once described it, and I can now confirm, it is an urban planner’s dream — public transit, mixed-use facilities, gardens, parks, walkable blocks, great land, awesome people. I had a whirlwind adventure today….

Friday, May 23: Oregon Whales and Cheese

The lighthouse adventure didn’t continue today — a mixture of blustery rain and my fascination with whales and cheese dominated.

Depoe Bay, celebrating its notoriety as the world’s smallest harbor, is home to a whale watching center. I spent close to an hour learning about whales while watching the ocean. While gazing at the violent and dreary sea, I met remarkable volunteers who taught me about grey whales. Some call the grey whales “resident whales” as they are frequently found off the Coast — I was corrected, the whales don’t really stay at Depoe Bay longer than two months. Whales and I have a lot in common these days…. the ocean is their home, no place in particular — just wherever the currents take them.

Tillamook, Oregon – home of Tillamook Cheese. I took a tour of the cheese factory, visited the cheese visitor center, met a cheese maker, waved at a cheese packager and ate some cheese. And some ice cream…of course. It was delicious and amazing. All of it. Especially the ice cream.

After leaving Tillamook I took my first eastward turn – leaving the Oregon Coast, through the Tillamook State Forest and heading towards Portland…

Thursday: Oregon by the Lighthouses

The first stop this morning was at the Gold Beach, Oregon Visitor Center. The ladies there told me that the Cape Blanco Lighthouse was worth the 10-mile detour from US-101 on my trek north….they were right.  At Cape Blanco I met an amazing man (retired truck driver…we had an immediate connection) – he and his wife were volunteering at the lighthouse.  We talked for a while and then he handed me a map of lighthouses along the Oregon Coast and told me a little about each of them.  He was inspirational enough that I dubbed the rest of my day “Oregon by the Lighthouses.” And off I went…

Wednesday, Part II: The Coast

I didn’t really understand everything that encompassed being on the Pacific Coast until I saw a sign explaining what to look for when whale watching. WHALES!  I didn’t see any — but I definitely looked. It is a really violent ocean but is engulfed by a sense of power and majesty. The vegetation along the Coast is incredibly resilient (I read it on a sign) – and I understand why — it gets battered day in and day out by high salty winds and bright sunlight.

Crescent City resembles its name due to the curvature of the Coast. They built some breakers to create a calmer inner bay and have a shipyard.  The Battery Point lighthouse is only accessible at low-tide.

Campfire and s’mores finished out my night…..