Potholes State Park, Yurt Camping Trip, Day 4

Potholes State Park, Yurt Camping Trip, Day 4

We packed up all our gear in the Ford. Said our last goodbyes to Mick and April. 

Karen drove to Umatilla, I drove to Hood River, and Karen drove back into Portland/Vancouver.

Columbia River Sightseeing

Mt. Adams, Washington

Repost from 10/2018.

Karen drove our old 2003 Ford Explorer from Vancouver east along Route 14 on the north side of the Columbia River all the way to Bingen.  We climbed up a hill to visit the town of White Salmon, and then drove north on Route 141 to Trout Lake.  From Trout Lake to Glenwood.  Then south down through the Conboy Lake Refuge to BZ Corner.  Over the bridge to Hood River, then hone to Vancouver via Interstate 84.  We left around 9:30 am and returned home at 5 pm.

Spectacular views of trees and shrubs with autumn colors to the leaves intermixed or at the edges of conifers.  The many clear views of the 12,300 foot Mt. Adams from the valleys around Trout Lake and Glenwood were very dramatic. 

The views on the drive east and west through the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area were, as always, very beautiful, inspiring, and grand.  

Others Have Shared Photographs of the areas near White Salmon, Washington.

The town is high up on a hill on the north side of the Columbia River

directly across from the City of Hood River.  Many dramatic views
looking south towards Mt. Hood and Oregon.

Columbia Gorge

On Monday, Karen and I travelled to The Dalles.  We shopped at the Klindt Bookstore, the oldest in Oregon.  We purchased three books on regional history.  Then, we visited the Columbia Hills State Park and viewed the petroglyphs saved when the Dalles Dam was built.  The lava formations near Horsethief Butte in this area are impressive.  The view from the Stonehenge Monument was spectacular, as was the drive on Washington 14 from Maryhill to White Salmon.  Many wildflowers were in their spring bloom: yellow mustard greens, orange poppies, purple lupine, and dozens of others.  

The Dalles in Winter's Drab Days

 Karen and I have driven through, eaten in, or shopped in The Dalles, Oregon, many times. It is 87 miles from our home in Vancouver, WA, via Interstate 84.  From the Biggs Junction, just east of The Dalles, you can drive north to Yakima or south to Bend on U.S. Route 97, and all are good paved roads on the east side of the Cascade Mountains.   

The Dalles was the terminus of the Oregon Trail in 1850.  Boats used the Columbia River at The Dalles, west of Celilo Falls, with clear but dangerous river travel west to the Pacific.  

Native Americans have lived here, and had a major trading center here for over 10,000 years.  They called it "Win-quatt," signifying a place encircled by rock cliffs.  

We drove this morning from Vancouver to Biggs Junction on Interstate 84.  This 107 mile drive through the Columbia Gorge is always beautiful, and mostly a safe driving adventure.   We stopped at Deschutes River Recreation Area, Maryhill State Park on the Columbia, the concrete Stonehenge memorial near Maryhill, Horsethief Lake Columbia Hills State Park, History, the Dalles Dam Museum, and into the City of The Dalles.  

Lunch.  

Afternoon driving trip up and back Road 197 to Dufur and hills of the Eastern Cascades.  

Check into motel.  Dinner: Cousins.  

Wednesday: Cherry hills drive, Breakfast, Drive I84 to Portland, Hood River Hotel stop, Rooster Rock stop, Home.  

We drove in our 2018 Ford Escape: nice quiet ride, smooth, safe, plenty of power. 

The Dalles Dam, City of The Dalles,
Foothills of the Eastern Cascades, Mt. Hood

Downtown, The Dalles, 1940s?

Cheery Orchards in Eastern Cascades

Downtown, The Dalles, 1920's?

 

Repeat of Post from 2/28/2021:

We purchased and are now (2/27/2021), driving a 2018 Ford Escape, Titanium Model, SUV, AWD, 4 cylinder, 2.0 L engine, 22-27 mpg.  This SUV has 35,100 miles on its bones and engine.  The 2.0 L Turbocharged engine can put out 245 horsepower.  Reviews?  

The Ford Escape SUV has many passenger safety features and road handling AWD capabilities, and meets all the Washington State emission control and road safety standards of 2018. This model uses a Sony electronic, audio, and communication system.  There is plenty of room in our "new" Ford Escape for loading groceries from the Kroeger Fred Meyer's in our Orchards area.  Or, room for moving gardening supplies and plants, boxes, travel gear, clothing, lunches and coffee, and recreational gear.  This SUV model has new tires, good handling and AWD stability and adaptability, good lights, and versatile rain and cold controls for comfort and safety.  Our SUV is silver in color.  

99.9% of the time there are either one or two persons in the car.  We will not be towing anything, or carrying any gear on the hard top of this Ford Escape vehicle.  We rarely camp anymore; and stay in motels, cabins, or hotels.  Besides suitcases, we have a variety of recreational gear (boots, camera, backpack, maps, emergency supplies, raingear, tools, folding chairs, blankets, backup food and water, backup clothing, toiletries, auto stuff, etc.) to carry on some day trips or overnight trips.  Plenty of room for two travelers and their gear and stuff!!  

This kind of newer used card should provide good service for our uses for many years in Southwestern Washington, Clark County, Washington.  We have traveled many U. S Interstate  highways and roads, Washington and Oregon State roads, U.S. Forest Service Roads, local Clark County roads and backroads into and through and over the Cascades to the east of Vancouver, WA. This Ford Escape should have plenty of power and safety features for two auto travelers in our typical 150 mile and less radius of travel ... Portland Metro and Beyond from Desert to Mountains to River Valleys to the Pacific. 

Buying a Used Car

We purchased a 2003 Ford Explorer for $3,000 in 2016.  We have put in probably under $2,500 in maintenance since then.  Thus, over five years for $5,500, not, of course, including gasoline.  

We have traveled in this 2003 Explorer between Red Bluff, California up to Portland and then north to Bellingham, Washington.  From  Okanagon, WA, Hanford, Yakima, all parts of The Columbia Gorge, the high deserts of the Columbia Plateau, and everywhere in Oregon.  The fabulous Pacific Coast from Bodega Bay, CA, to Port Orford, OR, to Cape Flattery, Makah Indian Reservation, Neah Bay, WA.  

We have many fond memories of our travels together, Karen and I.  Also, many trips with family and friends.  That old reliable 2003 Ford Explorer tackled all the hills and valleys of the Cascades, and provide all the suburban ease (e.g., good heat in the SUV, space for outdoor recreation gear, etc.).  

However, it is now time for me to give this old 2003 Ford Explorer to my son to sell and keep the proceeds.  This old Explorer SUV runs fine, has OK tires, 4WD, 120,000 miles, a few rusted areas in roof, ... yet still may have some practical uses for on the cheap (mas o menos $1,300??) for somebody else.      

So, what other used car to choose?  1.  A SUV that my wife is very comfortable driving.  She does most of our driving, because she likes to drive the most and is a very safe driver.  2.  Under the amount we have saved for cash purchasing.  3. Under 40,000 miles.   4. A newer Ford product.  

So, we purchased and are now (2/27/2021), driving a 2018 Ford Escape, Titanium Model, SUV, AWD, 4 cylinder, 2.0 L engine, 22-27 mpg.  This SUV has 35,100 miles on its bones and engine.  The 2.0 L Turbocharged engine can put out 245 horsepower.  Reviews?  

The Ford Escape SUV has many safety features and road handling AWD capabilities, and meets all the Washington State emission control and road safety standards of 2018. This model uses a Sony electronic, audio, and communication system.  There is plenty of room in our "new" Ford Escape for loading groceries from the Kroeger Fred Meyer's in the Orchards area.  Or, room for moving gardening supplies and plants, boxes, travel gear, clothing, lunches and coffee, and recreational gear.  This SUV model has new tires, good handling and AWD stability and adaptability, good lights, and is silver in color.  

99.9% of the time there are either one or two persons in the car.  We will not be towing anything, or carrying any gear on the hard top of this Ford Escape vehicle.  We rarely camp anymore; and stay in motels, cabins, or hotels.  Besides suitcases, we have a variety of recreational gear (boots, camera, backpack, maps, emergency supplies, raingear, tools, folding chairs, blankets, backup food and water, backup clothing, toiletries, auto stuff, etc.) to carry on some day trips or overnight trips.  Plenty of room for two travelers!!  

This kind of newer used card should provide good service for our uses for many years in Southwestern Washington, Clark County, Washington.  We have traveled many U. S Interstate  highways and roads, Washington and Oregon State roads, U.S. Forest Service Roads, local Clark County roads and backroads into and through and over the Cascades to the east of Vancouver, WA. This Ford Escape should have plenty of power and safety features for two auto travelers in our typical 150 mile and less radius of travel ... Portland Metro and Beyond from Desert to Mountains to River Valleys to the Pacific. 

Post from 2019

Travel and Camping in 2019

Traveling in an SUV (2003 Ford Explorer)
2019-2020
Northwest United States and British Columbia
Camping Notes, Equipment, Plans, Experiences
By Mike Garofalo
January 2019

Travel in Washington, Oregon, Northern California, and B.C.
Books, Maps, Travel Guides, Natural History Manuals, Maps
Bibliography, Links, References, Notes
By Mike Garofalo
From 2006-2019

My Travel Plans for 2019-2020

I write about these short travel adventures in my Cloud Hands Blog. Follow the adventures by the Category Labels: Oregon, Southwestern Washington, Washington, Travel, Camping.

Leavenworth, Washington

Karen and I are going to visit Leavenworth, Washington, this week.    

Leavenworth is located 20 miles west of Wenatchee, 60 miles north of Ellensburg, 280 miles northeast of Vancouver, on the eastern slopes of the Cascades. The roads are excellent in these areas. 

Since the 1960's, this small tourist town features Bavarian themed architecture, German culture, shopping, mountain and river scenery, restaurants, outdoor recreation options, and nice hotels.  

We are not sure about flu pandemic restrictions, but assume they are the same in Leavenworth as they are in Vancouver.

On Wednesday (10/28) we drove from Vancouver, up I5 to Mary's Corner, then US 12 to Yakima, then to Ellensburg, then to Leavenworth.  We stayed at the Enzian Inn (10/28,10/29).  Enjoyed the breakfast and spectacular views from the 4th floor of the Enzian, as well as the Alp-Horn playing at 8:15 am.  We walked around, shopped, and enjoyed fine food.  The weather was perfect for this trip.  We drove home on Friday (10/30) from Leavenworth to Clem Elm, then via I90 to Seattle, and I5 to Vancouver.  

The autumn leaf color was at its peak.  The yellows and gold leaves were extensive and spectacular along streams and intermixed with evergreens.