Sutherland, OR

July 23, more hills and curves until we got to Interstate 5.  We crossed a 4 mile bridge over the Columbia River; we could see Mt. St. Helen from the bridge with a few clouds floating around to top.  We got to Interstate 5 and there was Road Construction of course, sign said the ramp was open but we found out not open to I5 and we ended up in an industrial park.  The good news there was there was plenty of space to turn around.  We made a second attempt at I5 and from this different angle got on the Interstate.  It was good to finally get on a decent road even though the traffic through Portland was intense.  We got to Sutherland, OR to Timber Valley Escapees Park and found a nice lot.  We have it all – 50 AMP, plenty of space, quiet, cable TV and can get satellite and a great view.  It is warm and dry!!!

Long Island, WA

What a grueling July 22.  We went on the west side of the peninsula on our way to Long Island – motorhome pulling the car.  It was curves and hills, hills and curves with narrow bridges, logging trucks and bicyclists who demanded a third of the road, punctuated by Road Work (two lane road all the way).  Then the road went through numerous small towns with turns and slow downs.  I thought it would never end - was seven hours.  In one town we had to make a sharp left turn with two lanes turning.  Just as we were completing the turn – BANG.  We thought someone had hit us but couldn’t stop and no one was waving us down slow down, what could we do but forge on.  When we finally stopped we couldn’t find any damage thank goodness but we don’t know what the bang was from.  We finally arrived in a tight but OK park in Long Island.  We went for a car drive to the ocean, quite the tourist area.

Port Thompson

July 20, we went to Port Thompson today.  It is an interesting old town on the NW corner of the peninsula – water on two sides.  There are many very old and well preserved old buildings and a nice state park where we could see ourselves camping.  There is also an old light house.  On the way back we took an accidental side road which lead us to an area a community of beach houses, not new or fancy but most taken care of well.  We ate a good fish dinner at the renowned Chimacum Café.

Fog

It was house cleaning day today, July 19, and much needed.  Don did some things outside.  There was fog in the tree tops this morning when we got up.  This cold and rain is getting OLD.  Went to a local pizza place for dinner, very good.  Hardly anyone was there when we arrived but by the time we left it was packed.   Guess they were just waiting to see where we were going to eat!

Shoreline Drive

We drove along the shoreline today, July 18.  It is a beautiful area with the water and lots of very tall evergreen trees.  There are many wild flowers along the way.  We stopped at Jack-In-the-Box for lunch; it has been a long time since we’ve eaten at one of those.  The weather has been nice today for a change, dry and even some sun.  This is my two month anniversary of my newest knee.

Chimacum Cafe

July 17.  We went out for Sunday breakfast at the local Chimacum Café.  We could have split a breakfast they were so huge – two big pancakes, a big serving of scrambled eggs and 4 thick slices of bacon.  After getting car gas, we went home for the day.   Still cool and rainy – tomorrow is suppose to be nice so we will do some traveling around the area then.