Portland

Day: 53
Destination: Portland, Oregon
Route: Highway 101 south; Highway 4 south to 401; Astoria Bridge to Astoria; Highway 30 to Portland
Miles Ridden: 211   Total Miles: 12,073

Points of Interest:

• Grays Harbor
• Willapa Bay
• Lewis and Clark Trail, Park
• Astoria, Oregon

As we left Aberdeen, driving through the small towns on our way to Portland, we drove past homes, businesses, buildings, factories and docks evidencing former prosperity, but now providing further evidence of a collapsing American economy. It was sad to see, but an unfortunate confirmation of what most Americans already know.

Once we got through these towns, we began our ride south through forests and state parks. The ride was very nice. There were several reminders that this route was first discovered by Lewis and Clark during their famous exploration between Missouri and the Oregon coastline. As we rounded the bend approaching the Pacific, we could see the Astoria Bridge, which spans Chinook with Astoria. It is a long, old bridge which, at its southern end, rises high above the city below. As you arrive in Astoria, a city founded around 1800, you see small homes built up the hillside. We saw the Flavel House Museum, built for a sea captain in 1885, and the former county jail, built in 1914. After having a great lunch, and Mikie Three Meals buying some salmon from Josephson's Smoked Fish, we rode through town on Highway 30 to Portland, Oregon. On the way, we had some great views of Mount St. Helen and Mount Hood. A nice ride. Dinner at PF Changs, a couple cocktails at Henry's downtown, and life was good.