August 17th

Oregon and Washington

(two notes- we still have intermittent and limping internet, so photos will follow when we get out of the mountains, gullies and gorges. Also- we love your comments, just remember that everyone that reads this blog may read your comments!)

We took the interstate north out of Idaho, attempting to get far enough north by Monday to be out of the “eclipse hysteria”. All along the path of the eclipse, everyone is in high gear- hundreds of porta potties being placed along roads that normally get low traffic, the sheriff’s dept. has moved mobile units to out lying communities on the path, and every business has raised their prices and camping and lodging was booked months ago!
We stayed one night in Pendleton Oregon (yes, Pendleton shirts and blankets are from here), and then on to Walla Walla Washington- north east, to keep moving out of the path. Four consecutive nights in Walmarts- a new record! However, we did score a campsite on the Columbia River for 4 nights after the eclipse.
Walla Walla is nouveau wine country- over the past 30 years it has become the “thing” here. We did errands and chores here- get this- next to the laundromat was a barbershop- we both got haircuts while doing the laundry- we also needed water for the camper, which Barber Walt procured for us from the next door shop. And to top it off, there was an ice cream stand next door to the barbershop- perfect! Then onto to this beautiful park in town for a picnic lunch, a walk, and they have an aviary with exotic birds- go figure.
Ice Harbor Dam and Fish Ladder- so cool- we watched 20lb Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Trout move up the ladder through giant windows. And we picked up a stone in the windshield so must get that fixed.
Mary Hill State Park is our location for 4 nights along the Columbia Gorge on the Washington side. Hot weather has returned, however I swim in the river and Clare and Rhylee dip there feet 🙂