Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier, at 14,410 ft, is the tallest volcano in the Cascade Mountain Range and the centerpiece of this National Park.  Glaciers cling to it's rocky slopes and steam escapes from deep below...what a perfect view the day we were there!

We entered the park from the east side, at Chinook Pass, where there is access to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.  We drove into the park, following winding roads along rambling streams and old growth forest to the Steven's Canyon Entrance on the southeast corner.

We parked here and hiked a trail (which included a swinging suspension bridge over a stream) through the "Grove of the Patriarchs".  This stand of ancient, giant trees have survived the forces of nature for over 1000 years.
 
We wound our way further into the park up to historic Paradise Inn.  This building opened in 1917, so is celebrating 100 years of park history. It is the largest lodging facility in the park;  built using massive timbers and large boulders, it blends into the mountain landscape. Trails led through wildflower meadows and around glacial lakes.  More experienced climbers can leave from here in attempts to reach the summit.

Yakima Valley Washington

From the Willamette Valley in Oregon we headed north to spend a few days in the Yakima Valley, Washington.

Yakima Valley, settled between high desert grassland hills, includes towns such as Naches, Yakima, Union Gap, Toppenish, Zillah, Sunnyside, Grandview, & Prosser.

This fertile valley, enhanced by irrigation waters and abundant sunshine, produces fruits, vegetables, grapes, and 75% of the United States hop crop.

Acres of apple, pear, plum, & cherry trees, blueberry bushes, vineyards with varietal grapes that support local wineries, and hops that are shipped around the nation & used by local breweries...all grow here.

Wine tasting is popular, as is sampling craft beers.

Vegetables such as asparagus, tomatoes, corn, peppers, and melons supply abundant local produce stands, and retail grocery stores.

McKenzie River Highway

Highway 126 as it heads east from Eugene, OR is known as the McKenzie Highway.  It follows the curves of the McKenzie River, passing grazing lands, fruit & nut orchards, and fishing hotspots. At the town of McKenzie Bridge, one turns onto hwy 242.  This scenic highway leads one into the Cascade Mountains on a steep, curvy climb to McKenzie Pass, 5324 ft elevation.  This section of highway into the Mt Washington Wilderness is generally closed from November until June because of heavy snow. And, it is always closed to trucks and large vehicles (like motorhomes!).  We did this trip by car with relatives from Eugene as tour guides.

 

At the top of the pass is Dee Wright Observatory, a lava-stone structure built in 1935 by the CCC.  Openings in the turrent-like building frame landmarks in the area, and identify nearby mountain peaks.  Belknap Crater (below), source of the huge lava field that covers the ground here, is visible, as is Mt. Washington, Mt. Jefferson, and Peaks of the Three Sisters mountains.

 

After lunch in the town of Sisters, we drove back on hwy 126, stopping to see Koosah Falls near the start of the McKenzie River. 

The gardens at Belknap Hot Springs Resort (where hot water bubbles from a crack in the rocks), and a pie shop in Vida were also on tour.

Pacific Coast : Newport Oregon

Newport has two historic lighthouses: Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and Yaquina Head Lighthouse (pictured).

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is the oldest building in Newport, built in 1871.  It is unusual in that the lighthouse and the keepers house are all one structure.  No longer in use, it is now a museum.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse, first illuminated in 1873, is the tallest along the Oregon coast. It took more than 370,000 bricks to build it. There is an interpretive center on site where we watched a film and read displays about the history of the lighthouse.  Tours of this active lighthouse are also available.

Newport's Bayfront & Harbor district are home to the US Coast Guard and one of the largest commercial fishing fleets in Oregon.  We had lunch at a bayside restaurant, then visited a fish market, and watched fish and crabs being unloaded from a fishing boat.    Other attractions include the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Marine Discovery Tours, and the Pacific Maritime & Heritage Center.

Newport also marks the start (or end, depending on which direction you are traveling!) of Hwy 20, an east-west cross-country route that goes all the way to Boston, and may be the longest continuous highway in the US.

Sea Lion Caves

Eleven miles north of Florence, OR, on coastal highway 101 is a unique attraction: Sea Lion Caves.  Discovered in 1880 when a sea captain rowed a small boat through a fissure in the rocky shore, the caves contained hundreds of Steller sea lions.  Over the years  the cave has been kept as natural as possible, allowing the seals to maintain their winter home.  In spring and summer, they are found on the rocky ledges of shore line, with the young pups.  An elevator has been added, to allow visitors to descend 208 feet below and observe the sea lions in the cave...in their natural surroundings. 

 

From outside observation decks, you can see the sea lions along the shore. Other residents of this beach area are diving Cormorants, sea birds who dive for fish and tend their nests on the rocks.

You can also view Heceta Head Lighthouse.  This lighthouse stands 1000 ft above the water.  It sends one of the strongest signal lights along the coast.  The keeper's house is now a bed & breakfast.

Oregon USA

From British Columbia, Canada our next stop would be the state of Oregon, USA.  We entered Oregon by crossing the Columbia River at the Plymouth/Umatilla bridge, near Hermiston.  Picking up I-84 we followed the Columbia River westward. 

Along the way we started seeing glimpses of snow-topped Mt Hood...Oregon's highest peak at 11,239 ft.

Eventually we turned south on hwy 97, driving through the high desert on the east side of the Cascade Range.  "Back in Time" scenic highway 97 led us through small towns and grasslands.  Near Shaniko was a sign "you are at the 45th parallel:1/2 way between the equator and the north pole."

At Sisters, OR we turned west again, following hwy 20: "Over the River & Thru the Woods" scenic highway.  This road took us into the Cascades and over Santiam Pass (4800 ft elevation), then 11 miles of a 6% downgrade into the McKenzie River valley.  We drove by large moss covered trees, over hills & around lots of curves.