But first.... we took one last walk along the beach on this lovely morning, to take one last look at the haystack and the dunes.
We walked towards the giant dune and without even thinking, simply kept on trudging until we scaled Cape Kiwanda's Everest.
The view was spectacular and worth my huffing and puffing to reach the top. Last time we crested the dune, the cape was shrouded in mist. This morning we could see for miles.
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| the view on the other side of the dune looking north |
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| view south.... my it's faaaar down |
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| I'm on top of the world....er, dune |
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| straddling the ridge.... looks like I am leaping into the air but I assure you I am not! |
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| a major upthrust and evidence of some pretty major geological activity |
The scenery today was pretty, and as we descended into the valley, there were mostly vineyards and open fields along the way.
We passed McMinnville with its Spruce Goose and collection of planes (which we toured previously during our Rilata days), and the Boeing plane on top of the building.
We drove along route 99W until we reached Portland with its many bridges, and finally connected to Route 84 heading east.
Mt Hood appeared in the distance, looking so different without its snowy cover.
After a quick stop at Walmart to replenish a few staples,followed by another stop at Love's for diesel, we arrived at our destination for the night at Sandy Riverfront RV Resort in Troutdale.
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| the picturesque small town of Troutdale |
After checking in and getting set up, we took a stroll across the Sandy River bridge. The Sandy River empties into the Columbia River, the same river along which Lewis and Clark paddled during their voyage of discovery.
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| the Sandy River |
There were pretty flowers in bloom at the resort, always a welcome sight.
And to remind us that today marks the beginning of Fall, there was a little pumpkin in the vegetable patch here too.
Tomorrow we continue the final 180 miles to Prosser, Washington for the Good Sam Balloon Festival rally.