From Washington to Oregon

So been a while since I last wrote on the blog. GOOD NEWS!!!! Pictures are here!! http://www.photobucket.com/ my user name is nathan31586 . That should direct you to my pictures. Sorry but Internet has been scarce the places that we have ventured. Upon entering the USA we drove to the North Cascades National Park and spent the night near George Dam. It rained alittle but not very much. After planning a 3 day backpacking trip into the interior of the North Cascades I called my Aunt Lisa and discovered she had the weekend off and that it would work better for her if we visited her that weekend. So we nixed the trip and headed for Seattle.It was a great decision!! before we left I stoped into a Salvation Army store and filed for a food voucher that was worth 20 buck! it was awesome. Racheal was very hesitant about me doing this but hell, I needed the money and it was going for a dang good cause... feeding me! After all I technically fall into the lower class economic bracket. After the grocery shopping we b-lined to Seattle. In Seattle we meet up with Aunt Lisa, Uncle Barry, Norma Jean, and Adrianne at there house. It was so much fun to hand out and get to know them a little better. After all their family (family that i deeply love at that!) We saw Seattle, rode a ferry to Bainbridge Island, Had a BLAST at Red Hook Brewery, watched football by the fire place, and meet a couple of Adrianne's friends/co-workers. It was so much fun!! After leaving Seattle we headed to Olympic National Park. A beautiful rain forest. We spent 3 days backpacking in the rain forest and venturing deep into cougar country (and grizs too!) I took a picture of a massive mountain lion track when we were on the trail. I hope to have it up on photo bucket soon!! After eating sea food all around the coast of Washington state, we headed for Portland, OR. No to mention the stops along the way on hwy 101. My first view of the Pacific Ocean occurred during this stretch of road. On 10/9/09 to be exact. It was cool. check another one off the list. Walking the shore was great. Big rock cliffs 60-80 feet high jetting up from the sea. After following the coast we arrived in Portland. My FAVORITE city so far. Man what a great town. Ive heard that its like a big Asheville...which its NOT! But none the less its a fine town. Great music scene, lots of young people, great cost of living, voted one of the best beer towns the the world, what else could you ask for? Mountains Oceans? ohh yea they have that too... Its less than an hour drive to get to the ocean and the same to get to the mountains. Mt. Hood can be seen in the distant horizion while crossing one of the many bridges that separate the city. We meet several really great people and rode the public transportation all around the city. Thanks to Rachaels friend Amie for letting us spend the night one late night. I have lots of stories to tell from this city!!!

After leaving Portland, we headed for Bend, OR. We took a beautiful road 240 I believe. Went to Sisters, OR. A great little town as well. Bend was amazing. worth a weekend trip for sure. Mt Bachelor is located here. One of the BEST skiing mountains in the North West with more than 3,600 acres of groomed slopes...dont tell many people though,...its a local secret still. Most of the people that ski there are from Oregon or Washington...only a few people from the East Coast venture to ski on the Mountain that has the longest skiing season on this side of the state...or anywhere for that matter! A great find for later in my life. Bend Brewery was great. as well as Silver Moon Brewery and Deshutes Brewery. One of the about 30 different local brews we have tried in this state! I think...rather i know thats were my money went, as well as the unexpected trip to Canada!! I'm sitting pretty thin in the pocket right now but Im sure I can stretch it out until at least December 1st.

After Bend, we headed to Eugene. A medeocre town at best. About 80,000 live there but I was not impressed with the over all feel and structure to the town. The best part of the town was the Rose Garden that boasted over 400 different types of roses. It was absolutely breath taking. With in the park, the oldest Cherry tree known in existence was held together with wires and supports, its was planed by the town founder, Eugene something in 1847. We also attended the Beer Tastival in Eugene. it was about $5 and you got a "free" pint glass. and every taste of beer cost a dollar. Each taste being 4oz. I spent $10 total. It was worth it. Meet some more really cool people and one was actually the brew master for Lompos brewery. After the Beer we headed down the road (sober mind you) to the coast of Oregon. Florance is where we hit the rocky shore and headed to see over 500 seals playing and sun bathing. At this point I believe we have only seen rain 4 out of the 49 days. Not a bad ratio. Dont worry we will bring the sunshine back to the east coast when we come! :) I find myself sitting in a Starbucks right now in a town called Roseburg, OR off of I-5. I will more than likely never come back to this town. We head out tonight to Crater Lakes National Park to spend a few days. The plan is to set up a base camp somewhere where we dont have to pay for camping and have about three or four down days to just chill. It will be the first real down days yet. Im really looking forward to it. I bought some Myrtle wood today. The rarest in the world, and some say the most beautiful. Im making someone special a necklace! I'm really looking forward to Crater Lakes Nat'l Park and the down time. My next post will not be unil California. That will more than likely be in a week. Well they are kicking me out of Starbucks right now. They close at 7pm...its 7:11pm.


Checck out the pictures i have a few up already! http://www.photobucket.com/ my user name is nathan31586. if you cant find it from that I think this may work...
http://s786.photobucket.com/albums/yy141/nathan31586/Roadtrip%2009%20Wis/
Until then,
I love you all and keep on truckin'. I know I AM!

Nathanael