Seattle, Pacific NW. Oregon and Washington States Road Trip

hyperfish

Mt Bachelor ski resort. Lifts were running but my boss fears heights.
                                                                               

A walk in the woods at Deschutes. Wife didn't follow after reading the notice that said to beware of bears. She didn't tell me.
                                                                               

Checked into a hotel by the river at Bend for tonight.

Edit: took a short walk over the bridge.
                                                                               

Into town. The Old Mill district is geared up for tourism with shops, restaurants and a cinema.
                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

Winery outlet too.
                                                                                 

                                                                                 

Walked back to shower before dinner.
                                                                               

Dozens of people floating past down the river.
                                                                       

hyperfish

Headed into the mountains. Stopped at a town called Sisters.
                                                                               

Walked down main Street. Wife spotted a sewing shop and cloth was bought.
                                                                               

On into the mountains. Miles of charred trees from Forrest fires.
                                                                               

Reached the observatory and walked to the top.
                                                                               

Several mountaintops can be seen. More lava rock everywhere around here.
                                                                               

                                                                               

                                                                               

From there the road got steep, narrow and twisty. Found a lake where we had a picnic.
                                                                               

Had enough of travelling so looked up accomodation in Google Maps when the signal came back. A place called Detroit came up by the lake.
A bit rustic to what we usually choose.
                                                                               

                                                                       

hyperfish

But the bar over the road helps
                                                                                 

                                                                       

hyperfish

Breakfast in the diner.
                                                                                 

Followed the river.
                                                                                 

Through the Forrest. So many trees that we couldn't see the mountains.
                                                                                 

Very dry, fire risk is high.
                                                                                 

Stopped by the lake. Angler will eat well tonight.
                                                                                 

The industrial hemp farms gave way to Xmas trees.
                                                                                 

Next stop the End if the Oregon Trail visitors centre. We stepped on the trail on previous holidays in Missouri and Wyoming.
                                                                                 

Excellent film documenting the pioneer's journey.
                                                                                 

Then a look at the exhibits.
                                                                                 

                                                                       

hyperfish

Before walking the grounds.
                                                                               

                                                                               

Followed Historic Route 30 along the Columbia River. Stopped at a roadside stall.
                                                                               

Further along to Multnomah Falls.
                                                                               

Took the path and walked over the bridge.
                                                                               

Horsetail Falls was a few miles allong the US 30.
                                                                               

                                                                               

Watched a really long train go by.
                                                                               

Before checking into a hotel at Hood River. View of the river from our patio.
                                                                       

DOBLY

Fantastic pics - thanks for sharing.

hyperfish

A long drive today. After breakfast we crossed the toll bridge back into Washington State.
                                                                               

Followed the twisty Forrest road to a viewpoint. South side of Mt Saint Helens in the distance.
                                                                               

Decided to get nearer but that involved a trek to the other side.
Stopped to buy sandwiches. Walked in the nearby cemetery.
                                                                               

Stopped at the Mt Saint Helens visitors centre. Still not close enough.
                                                                               

Roadside picnic at the cliff edge.
                                                                               

Getting closer.
                                                                               

Finally got to the Observation centre. About 5 miles away. Pics don't really show the scale of the site.
                                                                               

                                                                               

The show in the visitors centre gave an interesting account of the 1980 event.
Have to return the way we came in. Several long bridges.
                                                                               

Haven't seen any accomodation for hours. Pressed on until we found a motel at Morton. Then out for dinner at a local diner. Football was on which meant steaks were discounted and Bud Light was $1 a pint when the games started. Place soon filled

                                                                       

hyperfish

Walked back through the streets. Lovely warm evening with a sunset.
                                                                                 

                                                                       

hyperfish

It had rained overnight and the clouds were low this morning.
                                                                                 

Stopped at Elbe for a look around. I guess it was a railway town in the past?
                                                                                 

Coaches were reused as a restaurant and accomodation.
                                                                                 

Stumbled across a sculpture park.
                                                                                 

                                                                                 

Next into Mount Rainier national park.
                                                                                 

Great views of the mountain.
                                                                                 

                                                                                 

Lots of opportunities to stroll and take a pic.
                                                                       

hyperfish

Short trail around Box Canyon.
                                                                               

Brought us out at a tunnel.
                                                                               

The rivers were low. Looking at the huge boulders and trees scattered everywhere, I imagine they would be quite violent during the thaw.
                                                                               

                                                                               

Out of the park and checked into a motel at Packwood. Tried to get to the river but the road through the woods hit a dead end. Did see several big ants nests though. The size of a dustbin and very active.
                                                                               

                                                                               

Edit: dinner in a local place. Just a short walk so the driver can drink Nice to chat with a couple of locals.