2006 - Sat Aug 5

MEM-SEA

July 29-August 6

Washington, Oregon

• Left and drove along the north side of Olympic NP via 101 to get to the ferries. We had lunch and then took a ferry to Seattle. Got to Krista and Larry's and then showered (!).
  
• Celeste came over and we all had a few beers, then went out with Angie. We met up with Brian at his work, had a few more.
• The next day, (Sun, Aug 6) we refueled and went to the airport.
  
• Final mileage: 1100

2006 - Friday, Aug 4

MEM-SEA

July 29-August 6

Washington, Oregon

• We left around 9:30 to look for a canoe outfitter. Headed to Forks, WA (after Brad backed the car into a trash can), which seemed to be the only town around within 100 miles or so of Olympic. We ended up finding a place, but they only did kayaks and expensive raft trips - the water was too low for canoes.
• We headed to the Hoh Rain Forest and went on 2 short hikes. Very pretty - lots of MASSIVE trees and lots of ferns/moss everywhere. (Just for the sake of mentioning it, there is a section in our notes that states "paid $15 to go 4 miles - government nazis!" yet I do not think that either of us will ever remember quite what that means).
• Went to Ruby Beach at low tide hoping to see some star fish...but ended up seeing only sea anemones. The beach was very pretty, with huge rock outcrops, fog, and lots of logs on the shore.
• Went back to the campsite (and had some ice cream on the way), which was fuller (meaning, more kids), but it was still pretty peaceful.
• Beer of the Day was the remainder of the week's stash. We were feeling the pressure to drink the rest of it before heading back.
• Dinner: BBQ chicken and corn on the cob.
• Mileage 919
  

2006 - Thur Aug 3

MEM-SEA

July 29-August 6

Washington, Oregon

• Departed camp at 9:30 am and drove north along the coast on Highway 101. The drive was very scenic - 101 runs up the coastline. We passed through several small towns and over the 4 mile long Astoria Bridge.
• Arriving in Olympic National Park, we stopped at Kalaloch Campground on the coast, but it was packed with RVs and children (the 2 things we try to avoid at any cost). We drove a bit farther northeast to Hoh Oxbo and got a great FREE site (#1). It was very private, right on the river. There was an area at the end of the campground with access to the river, where there were small falls, currents and pools - the water was a very blue-green color. We met a nice lady from Seattle who told us about a kayak/canoe outfitter that we decided to check out the next day.
• Some German bike riders (who we named Klaus and his brothers) came to our campsite with a small metal bowl, asking to borrow some coals to start a fire. They did not speak English well at all. Nick ended up going to help them build a fire. Turns out they were bicycling from Vancouver to southern California. Meanwhile, we are sitting in a campsite worrying about what kind of beer is next. Priorities.
• Beer of the Day: Drop Top Amber (Portland), Kena Fir Rock Pale Ale (Hawaii), and a wide assortment of leftovers. Dinner was chicken brats and potatoes.
• Mileage 825 total/239 today, temperature 63-75º

2006 - Wed, Aug 2

MEM-SEA

July 29-August 6

Washington, Oregon

• Left the hotel in Portland around 10 am via I-26W and drove to Tillamook. There, we toured the Tillamook Dairy - cheese being made right in front of our eyes! We saw lots of large patrons in line for free cheese samples. We decided on a bag of cheese curds. So tasty.
• Stopped at Fred Meyer for supplies ($51).
• Ate lunch at the Sea Shack in Wheeler, OR. Nick had grilled Tillamook provolone cheese and Brad had grilled halibut sandwich. Waitress told us about nearby camping. So we drove to Mohler Road and then took a dirt road to Cook Creek. Very private campsite on the creek. Mountain views and no one around for miles - perfect. We heard only 2 cars drive down the dirt road in 5 hours. Free camping. We picked a ton of blackberries - there were LOTS of bushes around. We built 2 dams on the creek (which we later learn is an illegal act).
• Dinner was wild salmon, veggie burgers, zucchini and onions. Beer of the Day: Fire Station #5, Brush Fire Summer Ale, Henry Weinhard's Hefeweizen
• Mileage 586 total/121 today
• Temperature today 75º

2006 - Tues, Aug 1

MEM-SEA
July 29-August 5
Washington, Oregon

• Left camp and went to Eagle Creek area to hike. Hiked about 2 miles in and saw 3 waterfalls (Metlako, Lower/Upper Punch Bowl). Trail was pretty treacherous , with a 100-foot fall directly to the side of the trail, and no rails/ropes - but we're men.
• Ate breakfast at a restaurant that had Indian artifacts everywhere. Brad had marionberry pancakes (recipe). Went to Bonneville Dam and fish hatchery where we saw a 450 pound sturgeon! Very cool - a must-see.

• Drove to Portland and checked into the Days Inn downtown. Had a beer at the Marketplace Pub and then took the streetcar to the Pearl District. PD is an eclectic neighborhood in the city that prides itself on trying to hard, it appears to us. Cool area though. Had a beer at a restaurant called Paragon, then walked around and checked out some shops.
• Hit up the Bridgeport Brewery and had beers/pizza along with bad service (see, we don't forget these things). Went to Rogue Brewery and had (lots of) beers. Took the streetcar back downtown and had a beer at Marketplace
• Temperature today was about 75º.
• Mileage 465 total/63 today.

2006 - Mon, July 31

MEM-SEA
July 29-August 5
Washington, Oregon

• We departed our campsite around 9 AM. Drove to Ape Cave (links to Wikipedia - interesting article), which was part of a massive lava field in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. There was no one around, which is pretty rare for such a seemingly touristy place. We decided to explore a bit, threw on some layers to keep warm, hiking shoes, and grabbed the lantern. It's wilderness, people...there are no lights. You enter down a passageway which is about in the center of this giant 'worm' underground. You can go to the left, travel .75 miles and come back, or go to the right, about .5 miles to another exit. We're men. We went the long way. It was an experience, just being in a place where you couldn't see a thing, it was so dark. Brad was not a fan of turning off the lantern and taking it all in with the remaining senses. We got to the end of the tube, and the ceiling of the cave got lower and lower and lower until it was only about 6-8 inches. Brad stayed behind while Nick did the belly-battle-crawl as far as he could...and had to back out the same way after about 40-50 feet. Scary. Claustrophobic.
• Went to the Lahar Lookout to view Mount St. Helen's but it was pretty cloudy around the top. There was a better view when we were a few more miles away. Spent a few hours exploring the area, checking out rock flows, different views of the volcano, etc.
• Drove south to Stevenson, WA on the Columbia River, where we had lunch at the River Cafe. Nick had egg salad and Brad had fish & chips. Good food, we agreed.
• Crossed the Bridge of the Gods (Col. River) and went to Multnomah Falls, which is the 2nd highest year-round falls in the US. An old lady recommended Eagle Creek to camp, but there were only a few sites and all overlooked the interstate (84). Rode east to Wyeth Campground - more secluded. Campsite #10 ($10). Went for ~3 mile hike on trail 411, which was pretty steep, but had excellent views of the Columbia River Gorge and huge rock cliffs.
• Much warmer today - (78-82º)
• Beer of the day is Full Sail American IPA and Twilight Amber
• Dinner - BBQ chicken (seeing a theme here?), coal-cooked potatoes and beans.
• Mileage 402 total/123 today.

2006 - Sun July 30

MEM-SEA
July 29-August 5
Washington, Oregon

• Brad was up early - around 7 AM and went into Fremont for coffee and scones. Krista gave us maps and some chairs and a cooler to use. We left Seattle around 11 AM heading south on I-5
• Lunch was some expensive Mexican food where Brad claimed to have the best chimichanga in years.
  
• Took Hwy 504 toward Mt St. Helen's, but decided to go farther south to Hwy 503, which was the southern route. Stopped at a Fred Meyer and got supplies ($87). Got to Cougar, and found camping area. Most on-water sites were taken but found one on the side that was quiet (#34). Camping was $15.
• Dinner was BBQ chicken and corn on the cob. Beer of the Day: Scuttlebutt (Everett, WA); Moose Drool dark ale; Fire Station #5 (Portland).
• Mileage: 279 total/202 today
• Dark at 9:30
  

2006 - Sat July 29

MEM-SEA
July 29-August 5
Washington, Oregon

• Flight from Memphis to Seattle. Arriving in Seattle, we learn Nick's bag ended up in Minneapolis instead. Airline promises to deliver the bag to Krista and Larry's house, where we will be staying that night.
  

• We picked up the rental car (a pimpin silver Hyundai Sonata) and drove to Angie and David's in Covington. We ended up driving into the city and had lunch and beers (Mac & Jack) in Fremont Brian, Brad, Angie, David
  
• After lunch we made our way to Krista and Larry's, had a beer, then went to Hale's for a few. That evening we went to Capital Hill and played pool and had drinks. After getting back to K & L's place that night, the bag was delivered. We were drunk and tired, and ended up in bed by about 1:30.

with Brian, Angie, and David.

• Mileage 77