Trip 2014 continued.

June 26, 2014 we left Coeur D Alene and turned south to go on into Washington State.   We entered Washington near Colfax on Hwy 272 going on south to Kennewich and eventually getting on hwy 14, the scenic route, on the southern border of Washington by the Columbia River. We did stop in Kennewich to wait on another thunderstorm to  pass through and it just SO HAPPENED there was a Starbucks there and we treated ourselves to a rest and good coffee.   Skip doesn't drink coffee or Frappes but the rest of us sure do.   So we waited for the storm and enjoyed our drink then started on our way.


We try to get the State sign when entering the next state. 

Skip & Cheryl   They are tough riders!!  Trike buddies

The Columbia river borders Washington and Oregon so we drove on the Washington side for most of the drive.   We had to cross into Oregon to gas up and for our hotel stay that night.  The Dalles was a rather large city and most of the hotels were booked up so we finally settled for one that wasn't our first choice.    It could of been better, but was clean enough.  We were all tired and ready to rest.   We went to Shari's Restaurant that night, it was within walking distance so we stretched our legs a little.   Feels good just to walk some after being on the bike for so many hours. 



after breakfast stop

We stopped for breakfast before going through Portland Oregon.  It started raining on us that morning but not too hard.  I really can't complain much because after 11 days of almost perfect weather a little rain was expected.   I also had heard that it rains in Oregon a lot.   We had decided to continue on Hwy 84 on the Oregon side when we got up that morning since we were going to have to cross over soon anyway.   It did stop raining while we were in the heavy traffic of Portland, Thank GOD above.   It was really hectic going through that large city and kept busy for a long time.    We were on hwy 26 going toward Seaside Oregon on the coast. 

The moss on the trees looked strange to us

we were happy to be at the Oregon Coast. 

We drove Hwy 101 in Oregon hoping to see the ocean and some beautiful scenery.  WRONG.... I was disappointed big time.  Mostly for miles all you could see was the forest.  We had driven the California coast a few years back and I was expecting some of the same scenery as before but sad to say I felt cheated.   I had been looking forward to this drive for months and all we could see, for the most part was trees.   There were areas that you could drive out to a section for a little ways and see the ocean but not from the main highway.   Although there were a few places that opened up on 101 for some fantastic views.  

These types of views are what get me excited.   Beautiful
 

 That night we stayed in Florence, Oregon.  Our hotel room was like a house, large living room with sofa and chair.   It was a nicer room than we had been having.   Jan and I went to a restaurant in another part of the town down under the bridge.  It was apparently a popular place, there were lots of people there.   The food was kinda unusual also.