Moved up the Columbia River

We dragged our feet (and the RV wheels) yesterday, not leaving until 11am, our first for leaving late, because we were only going 'up' the Columbia River for a whopping 1 hour drive.  Could not get into our new site until 1pm. We have changed our plans, were originally going to leave Cascade Locks and drift south towards Bend, Oregon, but decided that we needed to see more of the southern part of Washington. Decided to follow the Columbia River to where it meets the Snake River and follow that river eastward into Idaho.

Making the turn onto Bridge of the Gods, Cascade Locks

Looking downriver (westward), Bonneville Dam right beyond bend

Looking upriver, eastward, towards The Dalles

PC Hikers taking picture at sign that says Welcome to Washington

And we are back, again, in Washington

And we are glad to leave that last campground - oh my goodness, the noise!  Between weekend campers who have to laugh and whup it up until after midnight every night and smelling their campfires, plus the trains.  Blowing, more like howling, as they passed by the campground.  I realize that they have to toot 4 times for each crossing they go through, but seriously, some just lay on that horn continuously and makes no sense other than they are punishing all of the campers.  Funny how you get used to something, were becoming numb to it.

Route 14 is a very scenic road, only one lane each way

I knew Mt. Hood was somewhere in those mountains - but where?

We also decided to take the scenic route, traveling along the Columbia on the Washington side which meant we had to pay the toll to cross the Bridge of the Gods.  On our way across we had to stop, 2 Pacific Crest Hikers were stopped at the 'welcome to Washington' sign and were blocking our lane.  Quite an accomplishment!  Made it to Washington and had about 240 miles to go to Canada.

Looking back to Oregon (south)

Oh joy.  Trains.

It was the shortest driving route but Dave said almost the most treacherous.  Tunnels galore.  Some tunnels were so narrow at the edges that he had to move into the other lane, thankfully no cars or trucks coming at us.  Scary.  The GPS never said not to go that way due to our height restrictions, so we had to be okay, just very cautious.

First tunnel, height okay, phew.

And still okay

Okay

Houston - we have a problem! We are 12' 6".  Rutt-roh.

Houston heard - 1 inch to spare.

The Columbia River Gorge is beautiful.  As we got into Hood River we could see the windsurfers and kite sailors (those that windsurf but have a kite aloft that pulls them along), sailboats whizzing by, lots of people out enjoying the beautiful Labor Day.

I see Mt. Hood finally!  Looking across river at town of Hood River.

We will stay put here for at least a week, want to extend it because we have since learned of so much to see, especially Mt. Adams - the second highest mountain in Washington behind Mt. Rainer - area that hopefully we can stay put.

And poor Buddy.  Since it was a 'short' trip, we opted not to drug him up.  Wow, big mistake.  He was so sick with nerves, I had to shower him down and shampoo him, plus the carpeting in the back - even though I had put plastic down, he still messed up everything.  Was not until we got ready for bed last night that he stopped shaking.  So sorry, Bud Man!  Will drug you regardless in the future.

Hiding in my drawer. Took a lot of coxing to get him out.