Portland to Cascade Locks
After getting a healthy breakfast of donuts then resuppling at the grocery we were out of town. We left town on a Marina road, which as it suggests leads us out of Portland past the last marina/ ocean simbalence that we would see for the 3,000 miles. Directly after the marina we went past the airport were as we rode airplanes would be taking off and landing at Portland International. Further down the road and out of the city we started to see a symbolance of the gorgue and surrounding towns. By the time we had crossed over into the park and starting on historic hwy. 30 I could bearly contiane myself.
After much anticipation the gorgue was not to disappoint. Each overlook provided a extensive view of the senic Columbia River and the surrounding gorgue.
Not to metion the waterfalls of the tributaries of the river trying to make it down the steep walls of the gorgue in the the Columbia. There were all types of falls some 564 ft tall, while others cascaded down the rock walls. Not to mention this is all located in a jungle made up of tall Pines, Ferns, and Moss.
At the top of the pass as Sam and I were riding around enjoying the view Sam picked up the 1st flat of the trip. 
Sam had been in hot debate with Jess and I about the quality of his Armadillo tires vs our Gatorskin tires, this settled the case with solid evidence against the Armadillos for now.
Following the epic views of the gorgue from the top we decended into the gorgue.
The downhill consisted of an unbeleviable decent through a beutifal forest of extensive growth, but excedingly quite due to the pine and floor coverings. The road twisted and turned with a perfect flow through the woods blending seamlessly with surrounding woods. BEUTIFAL.
Out of the park we hit Interstate 84 which was a rude trasition from the parks to civilazation. We rode 1 1/2 miles on 84 then took historic 30 which ran parallel to the interstate and had been turned into a greenway for cycleists.
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| Bridge of the Gods |
After bedding down with a full tummy, clean, and at the base of a pristine river gorgue out west I though that this is going to be one of the most memorable hard to top days of the trip. Funny thing is its only the 5th day so I'm going to need to prepare myself for even better.
Cascade Locks to Biggs Junction
Woke up to a perfect view of the Columbia River gorgue right from my sleeping bag, I laid there thinking about how fortunate I am to be in God's country camping right at the Bridge of the Gods which connects Orgeon and Washington. Refueled with a hot biscuts and gravy then back onto the road. Headed out of town and away from the river, heading uphill. Once out of the gorgue it was on and off Interstate 84, seeing that was the only road in this part of the country. This went on for 35-40 miles. But after battling the traffic and major roadways we were back on historic hwy 30. This might be one of the best laided out and spetacular road I will ever ride. 30 is an old senic highway and the road itself is a dymanic peice of art; it allows you as the rider to travel through the surrounding hills of the gorgue with stunning views of the gorgue always to the left. We passed rolling hill after rolling hill with huge canyon walls that would have sharp lips and points unlike anything back home in Tennessee. Homes and barns were located right up on the edge of these canyon walls providing an epic blend of civilization and nature. Beufiful, probably the sexiest road I will ever ride. The rode winded back into the river gorgue with quadrouple S turns designed perfectly run through nature and not inhibit it. The road blends perfectly into wilderness allowing the viewer to flow seemlessly through nature. As if anything could make this better we had a prevailing 25 mph tailwind that would just push you down the road with the slightest effort. Followed this road into a lager city The Dalles, kind of skirted along the out side of it so did not get to check it out. Crazy, right after passing through the Dalles the whole ecosystem changed; it went from jungles consisting of tall pines, mass, and waterfalls to sand, bramble, and alot of sage bushes. Camped on the Washington side of the Columbia river that night in a town called Biggs Junction. Its called a town but its really only three truckstops and a camp ground. Very windy that night, but still dry so no complains.
Biggs to Umatilla
Woke up to a still windy Biggs, which makes breaking down camp and packing a bit more difficult. Sam did buy some bacon at one of the truckstops so that made to morning even more enjoyable. Had a bit of a climb ont of town up to Stonehinge, acutally a replica to comerate soldiers from WWI. Sad thing is that the memorial was problably one of the high point for the day. Washington consisded of deserts, truckstops, and overpriced food. We continued through the desert all day stoping for lunch at, wait for it a truckstop. I enjoyed the nutritional meal of two frozen burritos and a pecan pie. Headed back into the desert to push on to Umatilla. Only thing that the deserts had going for them was the constant 30 mph tail wind that was pushing us out of there. Once in town we found a nice RV park on the river, which had hot unlimited showers. We went out for a burger and ice cream for dinner and while out stoped by the laundry mat to revamp our clothes/ smell. While there we talked with interesing yokles, including Kent a boiler maker from Sun Valley, ID. Just another quiet night in the mid Orgeon desert, not alot to note. Full day almost 100 miles and clean clothes nice work team.
