Keizer, Oregon to Aberdeen, Washington – 8/1/2014 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

AUGUST 1, 2014 (Friday)

Hot again but there was a very strong thunder and lightning storm that woke us up. Michael was afraid there was hail involved and peeked outside to make sure the car wasn’t getting pelted. If it was he was going to brave the elements and move it.

We left brother John’s house around 10:30 AM and headed to a nearby restaurant, The Chalet. Michael had a vegetable egg scramble dish and I had a vegetable omelette, with coffees. Pretty good and not too much.

An Oregon hop field, hops are in short supply and selling very well.

The mantle reminded us of our manzanita. — The mantle reminded us of our manzanita on our hill.

Two plug-in's side by side. — Two plug-in’s side by side.

We hit the road and drove.

This camper caught Edie's eye with a wonderful saying on the back, "Not all who wander are lost." — This camper caught Edie’s eye with a wonderful saying on the back, “Not all who wander are lost.”

We had to look it up, from Lord of The Rings, Tolkien

“All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost” JRR Tolkien

Saw lots of these signs. The Pacific Northwest is vulnerable like Japan to Tsunami.

I've always loved the gray wood, bleached by sun and life on the coast. — I’ve always loved the gray wood, bleached by sun and life on the coast.

Kinda like Walmart, if they don't have it, you don't need it. — Kinda like Walmart, if they don’t have it, you don’t need it.

We wanted to take a route we hadn’t taken before so we cut over and went over the Astoria bridge. Very big and long. They were working on it and it was kinda strange to be stopped on the bridge, waiting. We prayed no earthquake. Anyway, it was a beautiful drive. At some points along the drive we couldn’t tell if we were following the ocean or the Columbia River. (The drive was a little over 300 miles and took approximately six hours.)

In the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, I shudder to think of their winter travails.

The different cuts and replantings are very obvious as you drive along.

We did stop once to pick up a few things for Canada (no sales tax in Oregon). We debated whether or not to get gas, but decided to wait until in the morning. We got to our hotel around 5:00 PM. We were both tired, don’t know why but we were. We checked into the room (Priceline – around $75.00). It is huge and OK. Not great and not especially clean, but an okay room. Michael walked down to the local Safeway store and got us a light dinner of chicken breasts, potato salad and rolls.

I've never seen a sigh like this. — I’ve never seen a sign like this.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!